Harm Reduction Specialist - PPACA

Overview

Harm Reduction Specialist - PPACA at Adams County Government. This temporary professional position is part of the HIV/STI Prevention and Outreach & Syringe Access Program, performing targeted HIV/Hepatitis C/STI screening, syringe access outreach, case management of people who inject drugs, and education/outreach for HIV/STI/Hepatitis C risk reduction, HIV prophylaxis treatment, harm reduction, overdose prevention, and Naloxone use. The goal is to remove structural barriers and improve access to high-quality, client-centered, culturally competent care throughout Adams County to reduce infectious disease and improve the health and wellbeing of People Who Use Drugs (PWUD).

The Harm Reduction Specialist collaborates with subject matter experts to establish standards of good practice for SAPs funded by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The role, with the Associate Program Manager, focuses on Syringe Access Program (SAP) scope of practice to include overdose education and naloxone distribution, linkage or direct provision of physical and mental health care and SUD treatment, and a variety of social services.

This position may be based throughout Adams County.

This is a temporary position that is expected to work 40 hours/week for up to 12 months.

• Direct Services
• Participates in HIV STI Prevention and Outreach Program activities and special events, including evenings and weekends as needed.
• Conducts direct harm reduction counseling, HIV/HCV/STI screening and point of care testing.
• Provides referrals to services, and connects participants to interim and extended health care, behavioral health care, recovery resources, social services, etc.
• Offers opioid overdose prevention and education and Naloxone training and distribution.
• Utilizes appropriate resources to plan and provide services that are safe, effective, and financially responsible.
• Gathers and organizes supplies for outreach activities. Reconciles inventory and checks expiration dates to ensure all materials are up to date.
• Maintains program-specific documentation. Uses organizational skills to maintain correct forms and tools necessary for documentation.
• Syringe access and disposal, including community retrieval and distribution of syringes and access to safe supplies for vein and wound care.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Community Health Strategy
• Fosters community engagement to advance health equity. Develops and maintains interpersonal relationships with community partners, internal and external customers, and resources to create linkages to care and prevention services, including no-cost medications, emergency financial assistance, housing, and/or food.
• Collects comprehensive data pertinent to the healthcare consumer’s health or situation. Monitors health status to identify community health problems.
• Improves population health by emphasizing prevention and attending to multiple determinants of health.
• Participates in community-specific solutions to address health priorities.
• Enters data into and maintains computer systems or databases. Proofs data entry and corrects errors. Runs standard and ad hoc reports as required.
• Maintains temperature control logs for test kits, controls and labs.
• Utilizes county-vehicle and mobile units to perform outreach services throughout Adams County.
• Additional Duties
• Provides administrative support, as assigned for the program. Handles confidential matters and collects information as requested for the use of the program staff. Filing, typing, and answering phones in support of daily program functions. Maintains files and records.
• Enters data into and maintains computer systems or databases. Proofs data entry and corrects errors. Runs standard and ad hoc reports as required.
• Travel may be required to any ACHD clinic or outreach event as needed for efficient program operations.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Ability to work community outreach events, including tabling, teaching and mobile services. The HRS assists in the orientation and training of new employees, students, and interns. Participates in QA/QI project as needed.
• Perform other duties as…