Harm Reduction Specialist
Position: Harm Reduction Specialist
Program: Permanent Housing Advanced Clinical Services (PHACS)
Reports To: Deputy Director of Clinical Services
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, Union
Wage: $33.25/hour
Are you interested in providing community behavioral health services to those in need? We are a small, dedicated team of Clinical Supervisors, Clinicians, Case Managers, and Harm Reduction Specialists, seeking to add a compassionate, committed, and driven person to our team! The ideal candidate is interested in community behavioral health work and strives to make a difference in the lives of those who are marginalized, underserved, and most in need.
As a Harm Reduction Specialist, you will play a critical role in supporting individuals with substance use disorders by employing a harm reduction approach in an outpatient setting. Your primary responsibility will be to provide compassionate, evidence-based counseling and support to clients seeking to reduce the negative impacts of drug and alcohol use, with the ultimate goal of promoting their overall well-being and aiding them in achieving their personal recovery goals.
In this role, you will conduct comprehensive assessments to determine clients’ needs, develop individualized treatment plans, and offer ongoing counseling sessions. You will work collaboratively with clients to set realistic and attainable goals, offer practical strategies for harm reduction, and provide education on safer practices. Your work will also involve facilitating individual counseling sessions, conducting outreach to the community, and coordinating with other healthcare providers and community resources to ensure a holistic approach to each client's care.
The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of substance use disorders and harm reduction principles, along with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trust with clients. You should be adept at handling sensitive situations with empathy and professionalism, and be committed to fostering an inclusive and non-judgmental environment for all individuals.
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:
- Facilitate individual counseling sessions.
- Maintain a client caseload of 12-15 clients
- Meet billing expectations for monthly Units of Service (UOS)
- Facilitate group therapy on topics appropriate to client needs & demographics.
- Complete assessments under the supervision of the clinical supervisor(s).
- Conduct consultations with clinical staff regarding diagnoses and assessments.
- Develop and update client treatment plans.
- Submit documentation and notes independently while consulting with supervisor(s) as needed.
- Maintain accurate and timely client charts.
- Participate in care coordination and clinical supervision sessions.
- Assist with new client orientation.
- Adhere to established policies and procedures; attend training and meeting attendance.
- Other duties as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Registered or Certified as a Substance Abuse Counselor from an approved/accredited California agency.
- At least one year of experience with 1:1 and group counseling in the human service field, and demonstrated expertise in SUD treatment, relapse prevention, and recovery.
- Experience working with clients experiencing acute withdrawal from substances.
- Knowledge of and experience with providing trauma-informed services.
- Experience delivering evidence-based practices.
- Proficient in documentation, utilizing strong clinical language skills.
- Thorough understanding of harm reduction, substance use disorder, and recovery
- Thorough understanding of homelessness, trauma, DV/IPV, HIV/AIDS, mental health disorders, neurodiversity, and systems of oppression.
- Basic computer skills in Word and Excel, G-Suite applications, and the ability to work in a networked computer environment.
- Must have CPR and First Aid certification within 90 days of hire.
- TB clearance and proof of COVID-19 vaccination within 7 days of hire
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Bilingual, multilingual in Spanish and/or other SF Threshold Languages
- Ability to express empathy and caring in the context of professional relationships.
- Ability to engage with others in a positive, friendly, energetic, and helpful manner.
- Experience working with people from various cultures.
- Knowledge of San Francisco neighborhoods and community resources.
- California ADP Certification.
- Knowledge and familiarity with San Francisco billing databases (i.e. EPIC).
- Experience with and passion for working with at-risk client populations.
- Knowledge and familiarity with Medi-Cal.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to stand and walk as needed throughout the shift for extended periods of time.
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
- Ability to sit and use a computer, including keyboard and visual display terminal, for extended periods of time.
- Finger, hand, and wrist agility.
- Ability to complete tasks in an environment where interruptions are the norm and background noise is present.
- Ability to move through buildings commonly including stairs, between buildings, and out in the community.
Community Forward SF (CFSF) reserves the right to revise job descriptions or work hours as required. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the person assigned to this position. Essential job duties are intended to describe those functions that are primary to the performance of this job. Other job duties include those that are considered secondary to the overall purpose of this position. This position description does not state or imply that the above are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Employees holding this position will be required to perform any other job-related duties as requested by the supervisor and management. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with a disability. All jobs are subject to contract funding availability. CFSF will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if CFSF is concerned about a conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting the Civil Rights Department Fair Chance Act webpage.