Through partnership with Community Health Project Los Angeles, the Los Angeles County (County) Department of Health Services (DHS) Office of Diversion and Reentry (ODR) Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution (OEND) program increases access to naloxone across the County. The aim of the OEND program is to reduce overdose mortality rate by providing training and naloxone to people who use County services and to those who are likely to be present at the scene of an overdose. Because of the high mortality rates among people leaving incarceration, one target population is the reentry population leaving LAC jails or in their communities. OEND also provides field-based technical assistance with multiple partner agencies to support the expansion of harm reduction service provision across LA County. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist, which is used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. 

The Community Health Worker position supports all these efforts while also engaging largely in direct service provision to at-risk populations.

This is a full-time benefitted position. Employment is provided by Heluna Health.

The pay rate for this position is $25.00 per hour

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Jail In-Reach and Outreach

• Provide in-reach and/or outreach to those at risk of opioid overdose.
• Connect and engage participants in activities and services.
• Build and maintain trusting and open relationships with participants, community organizations, leaders and resources.
• Provide overdose trainings to at risk individuals. These trainings will take place in a variety of settings (mobile sites, jails, clinics).
• Ensure that mobile units are stocked and in working order.

Assessment

• Conduct initial assessment of participant strengths and needs. This includes but is not limited to administering appropriate screening and/or assessment tools.
• Assess participant eligibility/suitability for appropriate linkage and referrals.
• Complete all necessary and required documentation, which includes Naloxone tracking tool, demographics, and services provided.
• Compile and report summary program data on regular intervals as directed by their supervisor.
• Maintain participant confidentiality and privacy by protecting participant health information.

Social Support

• Establish and maintain non-judgmental, trusting and open relationships with participants.

Care Coordination, Case Management, and System Navigation

• Provide appropriate referrals to necessary supports and services, including housing, education, employment, substance use treatment, etc.
• Engage with participants in the most appropriate and accessible location, which may include: the street, mobile units, hospitals, clinics, or other community sites.
• Connect participants to needed resources within the Departments of Health Services, Mental Health and Public Health, and other health and social service providers.
• Facilitate connection to and engagement with a geographically and culturally appropriate primary care home.
• Link participants experiencing homelessness to the Coordinated Entry System (CES).

Cultural Mediation & Education of the Health and Social Service System

• Assist participants, families and significant others in understanding risk of opioid overdose risk, prevention and response.
• Communicate information about health and social service systems.
• Continue to follow-up with participants to encourage engagement and ongoing participation in and commitment to the program.
• Build trusting relationships and collaborate with other team members.
• In both formal and informal settings, educate and inform other health and social service professionals about strengths and needs, as well as cultural worldviews, experiences and perspectives of the community or communities in which the CHW lives and works.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Complete assignments and other duties as delegated in a competent and timely manner.
• Assure that all guidelines and criteria are met.
• Communicate clearly, professionally and effectively with fellow team members.
• Participate in team building efforts to promote positive interpersonal relationships with team members.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience

• Six months of full-time experience providing direct services to or working with the public or with community groups. Some examples of qualifying experience are conducting outreach, interviewing clients or patients concerning health or social service matters, answering questions, and providing information about health, mental health, and social services to clients or patients. Applicants with harm reduction background are preferred.

Relevant Work and Lived Experience

• Lived experience in one or more of the communities of focus: people experiencing homelessness, people coming out of incarceration, people who use drugs.
• Member of the community, close affiliation, or shared life experience with the community being served.
• Ability to work appropriately and effectively within a variety of communities with varying populations.
• Potential or demonstrated community leadership.
• Experience working with medically and socially complex individuals.

Certificates/Licenses/Clearances

• A valid California driver’s license, proof of vehicle insurance, and reliable transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
• Successful background check clearance

Other Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Existing relationships and trust within communities of focus.
• Familiarity working with or navigating within the health and social services system, preferably as a result of lived experience.
• Ability to build and maintain trusting relationships with community stakeholders and health and social service providers.
• Ability to work independently in a constantly changing environment.
• Personal strength, resilience, and stability to allow the CHW, with support of supervisor and work team, to face very challenging situations and avoid re-traumatization and vicarious trauma.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Stand Frequently

Walk Frequently

Sit Frequently

Handling / Fingering Occasionally

Reach Outward Occasionally

Reach Above Shoulder Occasionally

Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend Occasionally

Lift / Carry Occasionally - Up to 50 lbs

Push/Pull Occasionally - Up to 50 lbs

See Constantly

Taste/ Smell Not Applicable

Not Applicable Not required for essential functions

Occasionally (0 - 2 hrs/day)

Frequently (2 - 5 hrs/day)

Constantly (5 hrs/day)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

General Office Setting, Indoors Temperature Controlled

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Include a resume with the online job application.

Heluna Health is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer that encourages people of color, women, veterans, and disabled to apply.