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Public Health Advocate I - Mobile Sharps Team (Bureau of Recovery Services)
Finland Building-LOC02Posted 1 weeks ago
Job Description
- Provides outreach, education, advocacy, referral and support services to active injection drug users in Boston.
- Refers clients to relevant services, including, but not limited to: needle exchange sites, health insurance, health resources, parenting programs, housing, educational opportunities, job training and support, public assistance programs, substance abuse treatment and counseling services and HIV/AIDS services.
- Maintains current knowledge base of new and existing harm reduction, needle exchange, and social service programs for active drug users.
- Establishes a positive, productive relationship with clients around safe disposal of needles and drug paraphernalia. Performs outreach to client base, including engaging high-risk clients, and providing information/ education about needle exchange services available.
- Educates and informs clients about self-help activities; facilitates and advocates for client access to services; implements outreach strategies to engage clients in community based services; distributes prevention materials to clients; teaches clients how to reduce exposure to hazards.
- Conducts community outreach to reduce discarded needles drug trash, and paraphernalia found near such needles in Boston communities.
- Works in close coordination with program leadership, other team members, and the City of Boston to deliver services, including location, removal, and safe disposal of needles/drug trash
- Conducts regular sweeps of schools, parks and other areas to locate, remove, and safely dispose of drug trash, and paraphernalia found near such needles (“needles/drug trash”).
- Responds to calls from the Mayors Health Line to remove and safely dispose of discarded needles/drug trash. Facilitates call to Boston Fire Department or Boston EMS for large pick-up of needle waste in public
- Maintains regular communication during the shift with other mobile sharps unit members and program leadership using designated communication devices and technology.
- Maintains accurate, legible and current documentation; documents outreach and needles/drug trash. collection activities. Develops and implements strategies for "hard to reach" individuals.
- Develops and maintains good working relationships with community agencies, health care providers and other BPHC depts.
- Represents the program at community events and health fairs.
- Attends required meetings.
- Delivers services according to established program protocols.
- Works to help BPHC advance as an antiracist organization by meeting or exceeding the standards set by the BPHC Anti-Racism Policy.
- Please note flexibility is required as hours and schedule vary; some weekends and evenings may be required. Performs other duties as required.