Overdose Aftercare and Outreach Specialist

Under the supervision of the Outreach Coordinator the Overdose Aftercare and Outreach Specialist will implement overdose follow-up interventions in the cities of Cambridge, Everett, and Somerville. The Overdose Aftercare Specialist will also conduct street and mobile outreach for active injection drug users in high-need areas of Greater Boston, provide overdose prevention trainings with community groups and businesses and will provide on-site health education duties as needed.

Representative Duties:

1. Develop and implement post-overdose interventions with the Everett Fire Department, The Somerville Police Department, the Cambridge Police Department, and the greater Boston area as needed
2. Conduct street and mobile outreach activities with active drug users in areas or neighborhoods identified as high-risk or high-need within program catchment areas. Includes, but is not limited to, Cambridge, Somerville, Malden, Everett, and the Jackson Sq. and Egleston Sq. and Roxbury neighborhoods of Boston.
   • Distribute safer sex, overdose prevention, and injection supplies to people who use drugs (PWUD). Collect used syringes for safe disposal.
   • Provide written and verbal harm reduction information on safer injection strategies, vein and abscess care, overdose prevention and HIV, STD and Hepatitis transmission to program participants and area providers. Provide appropriate referrals
   • Provide practical interventions relating to injection site issues, including advice for basic wound and/or abscess care with connection to our on-site clinic services.
3. Conduct blood draws for HIV/HCV/STI counseling and testing both on and off-site. Provide screening and risk reduction sessions, as well as education and referrals as necessary.
4. Provide training on overdose prevention and naloxone to active users, their allies and other service providers.
5. Provide clients with easily accessible, low threshold services that operate within the harm reduction framework. This includes assisting clients with accessing support services such as primary care, drug treatment, homeless shelters and legal advocacy, as well as enrolling them in syringe exchange and overdose prevention services.
6. Participate in daily drop-in operations when needed including, opening and closing procedures to help ensure facilities are clean, safe and welcoming.
7. Conduct activities related to building and maintaining partnerships with local first responders and conduct community advocacy.
8. Assist Outreach Coordinator in program development and evaluation.
9. Assist Outreach Coordinator in maintaining vehicle maintenance
10. Respond to overdose and behavioral health crises as necessary.
11. Attend and participate in departmental, collaborator and funder meetings and trainings.

Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution

• Under supervision of Program Manager, gain Overdose Prevention Master Trainer designation from funders.
• Assist Outreach Coordinator in training and certification of new staff to conduct overdose prevention trainings.
• Assist Outreach Coordinator in maintaining Narcan distribution to community partners.

Meet agency participatory expectations

• Adhere to all agency and departmental policies and procedures
• Participate in quality assessment and improvement activities as requested
• Adhere to the highest principles of client confidentiality
• Adhere to established safety policies, procedures and precautions; enforce agency’s policies and clinical procedures, including safety and crisis procedures.
• Attend all required meetings, in-services and professional trainings
• Maintains professional competence necessary to perform job responsibilities; maintains and provides agency with records of continuing education activities

Perform related duties and projects as assigned

Requirements

• Minimum two-years relevant work experience. Note: A Bachelor’s degree plus relevant experience may substitute for the minimum work experience requirement.
• Knowledge of and commitment to practice harm reduction in all interactions with program participants and at all stages of program planning processes.
• CPR Certification or willingness to be trained
• Experienced in conducting street and mobile outreach with at risk populations.
• Significant knowledge of health-related issues faced by injection drug users, including awareness of injection drug user networks, norms and culture.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Self-directed, motivated and flexible with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to draw blood or willingness to learn phlebotomy skills required
• Experience with crisis intervention.
• Current valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and a minimum of 1 year driving experience required.

Preferred Requirements

• Previous experience implementing support groups and trainings.
• Previous experience with data collection and entry. Familiarity with electronic databases.
• Spanish and/or Portuguese fluency.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to meet the following physical requirements with or without reasonable accommodations:
• Sit at a computer station for extended periods of time
• Ability to keyboard for extended periods of time
• Ability to safely operate a cargo van, including ability to remain alert, agile, and coordinated to turn, twist, and react in emergency situations while driving the vehicle.
• Ability to stand and walk as required by street outreach activities for up to 3 hours at once
• Ability and willingness to conduct outdoor outreach throughout all seasons of the year

Supervisory Responsibility:

None

We offer competitive salaries, and for those who qualify, an excellent benefits package; including comprehensive medical and dental insurance plans, and a retirement plan with employer match. We also provide 12 paid holidays, paid vacation, and more.

LGBTQIA+ identified persons, Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC), and individuals from other historically underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

This is a union position in a Fenway Health bargaining unit represented by 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.