Overdose Prevention Center Specialist
Hours: Full time, 40 hours per week
Schedule: 9am-5pm in Providence, occasional nights and weekends
Salary: $25/hour depending on experience
About the Organization
Through peer-based outreach, Project Weber/RENEW provides harm reduction services, builds relationships with the people we serve, and fights for systemic change. We empower people who engage in drug use and/or sex work to make healthier and safer choices within their own lives. We believe that all people deserve a loving space free from judgment and that everyone has the power to change.
We are ecstatic to begin hiring to open the first state regulated overdose prevention center (OPC) in the country. The OPC will provide a safe, clean space in which someone can use pre-obtained substances. OPCs have been proven to reduce overdoses , prevent the spread of infectious disease and save lives. With trained medical and peer staff on hand to provide safe supplies, monitoring, and a space in which to feel comfortable, clients are much more likely to engage in other support services.
Commitment to Inclusive Hiring
Project Weber/RENEW believes that a broad range of ideas, lived experiences, and backgrounds enriches our workplace, contributes to compassionate and innovative thinking, and attracts talented people focused on client-centered care. We are eager to welcome team members who share this belief as we strive to create an environment that reflects the rich diversity and strength of our communities. We strongly encourage candidates who have experiences in the work we do in the world or from other historically marginalized communities to apply to join the Project Weber/RENEW team.
Position Summary:
We are currently looking for a staff member and monitor at our Overdose Prevention Center. They will serve as the face of our organization to clients coming in for OPC services and work hand in hand with our OPC manager to make sure we can serve as many clients as possible at our center.
Job Summary
- Enrolls new clients into the OPC program according to enrollment procedures
- Orients new clients to OPC routine, lay out, supplies, and services
- Establishes engagement and develops rapport with clients – relationship building
- De-escalates conflict with or among clients, according to established protocols
- Controls flow and numbers of clients into and out of each area in site, in accordance with established staff: client ratios (1:4)
- Completes data collection and documents services provision, according to established protocol
- Maintains clean and well stocked work environment, according to established protocol
- Works to offer education on safer use techniques and supplies
- Works to ensure clients’ safety by remaining vigilant, making astute observations and seeking emergency assistance as required, according to established protocols
- Intervening in the event of an overdose
- Exercises excellent judgment when assessing emergencies
- Models calm, controlled and responsible decision making and behavior; maintains a calm, effective and safe environment for all
- Supervises the disposal and logging of used equipment, according to established
- protocol
- Cleans the consumption booths and smoking vestibules after each use, according to established protocol
- Completes thorough opening and closing duties to set the team up for success each day
- Proactively completes tasks and works well with the rest of the team
- Performs exemplary complex overdose intervention when necessary
- Attends all required trainings as directed
- Other duties as assigned
Skills:
- LGBTQ+ people, BIPOC, and people with connections to and knowledge of the LGBTQ+ community are strongly encouraged to apply
- Individuals with current or former experience with substance use strongly encouraged to apply
- Experience with Naloxone and overdose intervention an asset
- This position requires amount of physical labor, must be able to lift at least 25 lbs
- Experience working in community health with marginalized populations preferred. Including active drug users, unstably housed individuals, sex workers or formerly incarcerated individuals
- Maintains respect and compassion for all clients being served, regardless of their active drug use or treatment compliance
- Commitment to harm reduction and social justice as it pertains to individuals who use drugs or engage in sex work in a multi-cultural, multi-racial environment, in a non-judgmental way
- Spanish language skills are highly preferred
State requirements before hire date: PWR staff to help with completion
- A set of updated vaccinations (or proof of previous vaccination) including COVID and TDAP
- A state background check done by a third party
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: $25.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Life Insurance
- Health insurance
- Retirement
- Paid time off
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
- Weekends as needed
Application Question(s):
- Please describe your experience working with people who use drugs/are in recovery from substance use, and/or engage in sex work. Please describe your understanding of harm reduction.
- This job requires the supervision of people using drugs, our consumption site centers but is not limited to injection and smoking drug use. Do you feel comfortable watching people use?
- Our program believes in an individual's right to choice and education to make decisions surrounding their own body and health. How do you feel about that when it pertains to someone's drug use?
- Our program was passed by the legislature in 2021 but is still currently federally illegal. We are working under state law but as it currently stands we are not federally protected for the time being. Would this pose a problem for you?
Work Location: In person
