As a part of the HIV/STI Prevention and Outreach & Syringe Access Program, this position performs targeted HIV/Hepatitis C/STI screening, syringe access outreach, case management of people who inject drugs, as well as targeted individual and group level education and outreach for HIV/STI/Hepatitis C risk reduction, HIV prophylaxis treatment, and harm reduction, overdose prevention, and Naloxone use. The goal of the work is to remove structural barriers and improve access to high-quality, client-centered, culturally competent care throughout Adams County to reduce infectious disease and improve the health and well-being of PWUD. The Harm Reduction Specialist collaborates with other subject matter experts to establish standards of good practice for SAPs funded by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Along with the Associate Nurse Manager, the Harm Reduction Specialist focuses on SAP scope of practice to include overdose education and naloxone distribution, linkage or direct provision of physical and mental health care and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, and a variety of social services. This position may be based throughout Adams County.

Direct Services

• Participates in HIV STI Prevention and Outreach Program outreach activities and client special events, including evenings and weekends as needed. Conduct direct harm reduction counseling and HIV/HCV/STI screening and point of care testing.
• Provide referrals to services, and connect participants to interim and extended health care, behavioral health care, recovery resources, social services, etc.
• Opioid overdose prevention and education and NARCAN training and distribution.
• Utilizes appropriate resources to plan and provide services that are safe, effective and financially responsible.
• Gather and organize supplies for day’s outreach activities. Reconcile inventory and check expiration dates to ensure all materials are up to date.
• Maintains program-specific documentation.  Uses organizational skills to maintain correct forms and tools necessary for documentation.   
• Syringe access and disposal, including community retrieval and distribution of syringes and access to safe supplies for vein and wound care.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Community Health Strategy

• Fosters community engagement to advance health equity. Develops and maintains interpersonal relationships with community partners, internal and external customers, and resources to create linkages to care and prevention services, including no-cost medications, emergency financial assistance, housing, and/or food.
• Collects comprehensive data pertinent to the healthcare consumer’s health or situation. Monitors health status to identify community health problems.
• Improves population health by emphasizing prevention and attending to multiple determinants of health.     
• Participate in community-specific solutions to address health priorities.
• Enters data into and maintains computer systems or databases. Proofs data entry and corrects errors. Runs standard and ad hoc reports as required.
• Maintains temperature control logs for test kits, controls and labs. 

Additional Duties

• Provides administrative support as assigned for the Program. Handles confidential matters and collects information as requested for the use of the Program staff. Filing, typing, and answering phones in support of daily Program functions. Maintains files and records.
• Enters data into and maintains computer systems or databases. Proofs data entry and corrects errors. Runs standard and ad hoc reports as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned and required.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Strong interpersonal skills for collaborating effectively with a broad range of clinical and community representatives.
• Ability to use discretion and maintain all confidentiality.

Education: 

• Bachelor's degree in healthcare profession/ related area AND a minimum of three years related experience or a combination of comparable clinical education and / or experience/ training. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider certification through the American Heart Association.
• At least two years of experience working in community or healthcare settings or Community Based Organizations