Community Health Harm Reduction Educator

At DAP Health, we are committed to transforming lives and advancing health equity for all. As a leading nonprofit health care provider, we deliver compassionate, high-quality care to the diverse communities of the Coachella Valley and San Diego County. Our comprehensive services range from primary care to mental health, wellness programs, and beyond, with a focus on those who are most vulnerable. Joining our team means becoming part of a passionate, innovative organization dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve. If you're looking for a dynamic and purpose-driven environment, we invite you to explore the opportunity to contribute to our mission.

Job Summary:
The Community Health Harm Reduction Educator will assist in community outreach and education to targeted populations in the intravenous drug use (IVDU) community. The CH Harm Reduction Educator will provide members of the community with education, harm-reduction skills, and tools in relation to intravenous drug use. This position will also entail outreach and education on prevention services regarding HIV/HCV, STIs, and PrEP/PEP.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Provide in-person support during the operation of the Harm Reduction program, including but not limited to syringe safe disposal, syringe distribution, distribution of safe injection/snorting supplies, PWUD/PWID education, data entry, and client registration into the program;
• Provide training to DAP Health staff, community partners, and community members on naloxone and distributes naloxone during outreach;
• Provide education to DAP Health staff as appropriate and as assigned on harm reduction strategies to engage members of targeted and impacted populations in care;
• Provide risk reduction education messaging;
• Provide group and community-level health education presentations and speak at events regarding harm reduction and community health modalities to reduce individual and community risk for HIV, HCV, and other infectious diseases. Locations include the mobile unit and on-site in the sexual wellness clinic, as well as in mental health facilities, homeless care organizations, jails and correctional facilities, and courthouses, among others;
• Maintain current understanding of best harm reduction practices for people who use/inject drugs and participate in additional trainings when offered;
• Maintain current understanding of overdose, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevention issues and; trends; participate in additional trainings when offered;
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of work;
• Establish and maintain positive community relations;
• Remain well informed of how to access community resources to help guide clients through these systems and communicate information in a manner consistent with DAP Health standards;
• Facilitate referrals to medical care, Early Intervention services, PrEP/PEP Navigators, and other health care and social support services as needed;
• Keep Electronic Health Record up to date as needed (EPIC, and other databases);
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Excellent communication skills – both verbal and written
• Motivational Interviewing ability, preferred
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred

Education and Experience

• Minimum of one-year experience working with clients experiencing drug use or substance use disorder, or personal lived experience
• Current American Heart Association or American Red Cross accredited BLS certification
• California Department of Public Health Office of AIDS HIV testing and finger stick certification preferred - if not presented upon hiring, it must be completed upon first available training in the region
• Partner Services Training certificate - if not presented upon hiring, it must be completed upon first available training in the region
• Has interest and competence in cultural differences, HIV/AIDS, minority health, sexual practices, and a demonstrated competence in working with the substance use disorder community, African American community, Latino/a community, LGBT communities, health care workers, youth and/or seniors, preferred
• Knowledge of HIV/AIDS disease, STIs (Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Syphilis) and HCV, to include diagnosis, prevention, risk-reduction strategies, preferred
• Stages of Change and behavioral risk reduction preferred

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift 50 pounds
• Works a flexible schedule including working some evenings and weekends
• Requires current and valid driver’s license and current personal auto insurance
• Services may be provided either onsite at DAP Health or throughout the Coachella Valley. Community settings may include health fairs, religious institutions, substance abuse treatment facilities, homeless organizations, high schools and colleges, businesses or partner health and social services organizations
• Operates in the field and an office setting at times and requires frequent times of sitting, standing, repetitive motion and talking
• Involves contact with patients or patient specimens. Exposure to blood, body fluids, non- intact skin or tissue specimens required

Salary : $21 - $23