Harm Reduction System Navigator

Nature of Work:

Help participants identify their strengths, needs, and barriers to accessing services and making positive change. Work in a non-clinical capacity to assist people who use drugs with needs in an array of areas in their lives (e.g., food, housing, medical, mental health, family, employment, criminal justice, finances) with the goal of enhancing their health and improving their quality of life by accessing and navigating a complex web of services and resources to meet client needs. Requires strong communication, negotiation and problem-solving skills to coordinate with various internal and external stakeholders to ensure seamless transition of care and facilitation of warm hand-offs. Focus on empowering clients to make informed decisions and overcome barriers to help achieve client-centered goals.

Regularly conduct street outreach and recruit people who use drugs from Anne Arundel Peers Offering Wellness Education and Resources (AA POWER), a harm reduction peer-delivered direct street outreach program, consisting of a network of people with lived experience related to drug use. AA POWER aims to reduce risks associated with drug use, such as drug overdoses and the spread of infectious disease, and to improve overall physical, mental and societal health by providing risk reduction strategies through infectious disease testing, overdose prevention training, and referrals related to drug use, substance use disorder, treatment, and recovery. AA POWER engages people with lived experience and mobilizes community members to distribute harm reduction education and tools.

Work one-on-one with individuals to create and promote adherence to a care plan by setting goals in achieving any positive change as they define it for themselves and monitor their progress in attaining those goals. Participate in street-level outreach activities with the AA POWER harm reduction team to engage and meet with clients. Distribute and recover harm reduction supplies, and provide education and support on safer drug use, safer sex, HIV, hepatitis C, and STIs. Work to increase the client’s ability for self-management and shared decision making by assisting with navigating the service delivery system, providing warm hand-offs, and gaining skills and resources needed to initiate and maintain physical and mental wellness. Facilitate client engagement in services such as attending appointments when identified as a participant's need. Utilize an electronic medical record system to document client interactions and develop care plans.

Work environments may include, but are not limited to, outdoors (e.g., AA POWER street outreach), at community-based organizations throughout the county, and in Department of Health offices. Required to have a personal vehicle for travel to locations throughout Anne Arundel County for meetings and other business-related needs.

Education: 

High School Diploma or Equivalency (GED)

Experience:

Must be able to provide a personal statement describing what skills and abilities he/she has to offer to this field of work, utilize an electronic medical record system to maintain daily contact notes, and use personal experiences to coach and model effective coping skills and develop a relationship of rapport and trust. Must have a minimum of two years of recovery from an addiction or co-occurring disorder and two years’ case management experience in a behavioral health treatment setting.

Notes:

Have no current involvement with the criminal justice system. Behavioral Health Services will take into account the time since the last conviction and the type of crime committed. Requires a personal vehicle available for travel and a current Maryland driver's license with a clean driving record.

Desired or Preferred Qualifications:

Very strong time management and organizational skills. Ability to work independently and on a team. Excellent written and oral communication skills. An advanced understanding of the public behavioral health system. Proficient with Microsoft Office and Excel. Previous experience with an electronic medical record system.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications can apply.
Send a completed County application or resume to:

Human Resources
3 Harry S. Truman Parkway
Annapolis, MD 21401

Fax to 410-222-4392 or email hdrecruiter@aacounty.org.