Harm Reduction Counselor

Harm Reduction Counselor

Empower Families. Transform Futures.

Are you a compassionate Harm Reduction Counselor eager to make a lasting impact? The Children & Family Health Institute (CFHI) at VNA Health Group is seeking a dedicated Harm Reduction Counselor works during non-traditional hours (evenings and weekends) to provide the substance using community the tools to reduce harms associated with high-risk behaviors and activities through education, engagement, and distribution of safer usage kits all through a trauma informed harm reduction lens.

The Children and Family Health Institute is a charitable, nonprofit program of VNA Health Group focused on improving the health and well-being of children and families through accessible, community-based care. CFHI delivers high-impact programs including nutrition support, preventive screenings, vaccinations, and inclusive health services through community health centers and mobile outreach. Our goal is to strengthen scale and stability while advancing a mission that creates meaningful impact in the community.

Position Summary :

Distribution of works to people who use substances such as safer smoking, snorting, and/or injecting equipment and through the harm reduction center and/or the harm reduction van in a safe, culturally educated environment. Education on how to reduce risks such as safer user practices, safer sex practices, and encouragement to engage in healthcare. Provide Naloxone education and distribution to equip the community the necessary tools to reduce community overdose fatality. Link all patients to necessary resources including, but not limited to, ARCH nurse, HIV STD HCV and pregnancy testing, shelter, food, primary health care, behavior health and substance use treatment. Educate larger communities on overdose prevention, harm reduction, HIV prevention, and health and wellness.

Principal Responsibilities:

1. Supports organization's mission by striving for excellence in all aspects of their job with a focus on positive interpersonal relationship with co-workers.

2. Provide community outreach activities on a Mobile Harm Reduction Unit and at the VNA Harm Reduction Center.

3. Provide safer usage equipment including syringes, fentanyl test strips, and naloxone to individuals who are engaged into the syringe access program.

4. Educate people who use substance on safer usage practices and overdose prevention to reduce harms to themselves and the community.

5. Work with individual patients on risk reduction plans such as overdose prevention, safer usage goals, and safer sex practices.

6. Encourage patients to engage in their personal healthcare through other services provided by partners such as primary health care at our community health centers, testing services through PRN, wound care with the ARCH nurse, and SUD treatment with our MAT programs.

7. Provide referrals to other support services including shelter, food, housing, and treatment as requested.

8. Adheres to the organization's policy in regards to absenteeism and appearance.

9. Maintain, organize, and keep sanitized the mobile harm reduction van.

Job Competencies & Minimum Qualifications :

1. High School diploma/GED; Associates or Bachelor's degree preferred

2. Spanish or Portuguese fluency strongly preferred

3. 2+ years of office experience

4. Knowledge or experience with HIV/AIDS population

5. Knowledge of cultural and lifestyle diversity issues

6. Valid Driver's License required

In compliance with New Jersey's Pay Transparency Act, the total compensation range for this position is USD $30,000.00 to USD $65,000.00. When determining an offer, VNA Health Group considers factors such as the scope and responsibilities of the role, the candidate's work experience, education/training, relevant skills, internal pay equity, and market and organizational conditions. The total compensation range reflects the total package, including base salary, overtime, bonuses, add-on incentives, special clinical compensation, retirement plans, and all other benefits. For more details about our benefits, please visit our Careers page.

EEOC

VNA Health Group provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.