Harm Reduction Specialist

Since 1985, Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless has dedicated its mission exclusively to providing services to people experiencing homelessness.  AHCH provides a distinctive continuum of integrated care through outreach and site-based services to address the health-related causes and consequences of homelessness.  Our vision is to live in a world that is just and without homelessness.  We believe that homelessness is an issue that can be solved through access to quality health care, adequate and affordable housing, and a living wage.

The Harm Reduction Specialist conducts site-based, street, and community facility outreach services
to provide education, assessment, and behavioral change support to populations with increased
HIV/STD and hepatitis risk, including people experiencing homelessness, substance users, sex
workers, and those who also may have mental health issues. The Specialist works in a variety of
outdoor settings to provide resources and on-the-spot education, and approaches client interaction
from a trauma-informed standpoint. If this sounds fun and exciting, we encourage you to apply!

Duties and Responsibilities:
* Participates in daytime and evening community outreach, on site and in the community.
* Drives, loads, and unloads passenger vans.
* Provides prevention education and materials as well as appropriate referrals for housing,
food, shelter, substance use treatment, social services, and medical or dental care.
* Conducts syringe exchange utilizing harm reduction methodology.
* Administers and dispenses Narcan with appropriate training.
* Assists Program Coordinator in compiling monthly statistical reports to funders.
* Works to develop relationships with substance use programs, provide referrals to substance
use treatment facilities, and follow up on those referrals when appropriate.
* Supports risk reduction by assessing contributing behavioral risks, including substance use
and mental health issues.
* Attends AHCH meetings and other meetings as required by funding sources.
* Provides accurate and timely documentation, while maintaining legal and ethical
requirements regarding participants’ confidentiality.
* Maintains contact and follows up with other community agencies regarding this program.

Minimum Qualifications:
* High school diploma or GED.
* Willing to be certified as HIV/AIDS instructor and certified in syringe exchange.
* Willing to learn and promote harm reduction methodology.
* Must have a valid NM driver’s license.
* Knowledgeable and experienced in working with, and relating, to a diverse and multi-cultural
participant base.
* Ability to speak to volunteers and the community about the societal benefits of harm reduction
activities.
* Must be able to work within a trauma-informed culture.

Preferred Qualifications
* Bachelor’s degree in human services related field, or two years of human services related post
high school education.
* Experienced and certified in syringe exchange.
* Previous work with homeless, chemically dependent, HIV/STD/hepatitis positive or at-risk
persons.
* Knowledge of community resources.
* Familiar with local substance use programs.
* Familiar with harm reduction methodology.

All benefits begin the month after hire:

• Low cost medical, vision, and dental insurance with health club membership


• Life insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment fully paid for by organization


• Long Term Disability fully paid for by organization


• Paid Time Off - 24 days in first year of employment


• Catastrophic Sick Time accrual


• 7 Paid holidays


• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts


• 401k with employer match
  


• Student loan forgiveness eligible 

We're an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.