INTERNAL/EXTERNAL POSTING
Full Time Temporary Position
Parkdale site
Overdose Prevention Support Worker - Supervised Consumption Services
1 Full-Time Contract Position (35 hours/week), up to 8 months with the possibility of extension
Bargaining Unit – UFCW – Local 175
Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre (Parkdale Queen West CHC) is a dynamic, community-based
health care organization serving mid-west downtown Toronto. Offering a broad range of services, including
primary health care, dental care, harm reduction, health promotion, counselling, and community development
programming, we are also committed to serving people who face barriers to health care, and we strive to reduce
these barriers. PQWCHC is a multi-sited organization.
We are seeking an experienced Overdose Prevention Support Worker who shares our passion for making a
difference; you see this role as an opportunity to take the next step in your successful career while contributing to
a vision of Inclusive Communities. Responsive Healthcare. Healthier Lives.
Striving for excellence in client-centred care and education, you will work as part of the multidisciplinary,
integrated Supervised Consumption Services (SCS) team, within a harm reduction framework, and in alignment
with the vision and values of PQWCHC. In so doing, you will help ensure that SCS operations comply with all
exemption requirements and guidelines, as well as PQWCHC policies and procedures. In the role of SCS
Overdose Prevention Support Worker, you will provide education and support on safer injection and consumption,
monitor clients for adverse reactions, assess, respond to, and support overdose events, and assist in the initiation
of emergency responses, as necessary. You will also assist in client de-escalation and provide support for crowd
control and make referrals to other health and social service providers.
You have at least 1 year of experience working in a harm reduction program and/or a community setting, working
with homeless and marginalized populations, including people who inject illicit drugs. You have experience with
overdose prevention and response and training in/experience with Naloxone administration. Confident in
asserting and maintaining strong boundaries, you bring substantial knowledge of drug use, specifically injection
drug use, acquired through a combination of work experience, lived experience and/or education or training, are
familiar with community services and resources, and respect and value the diversity of communities and
individuals.
Proficiency in one or more languages other than English would be an asset, as would experience in the following
areas: working in a supervised consumption or overdose prevention service; providing overdose training,
including Naloxone administration; and working with people who use drugs, racialized populations, Indigenous
peoples, people who engage in sex work, prisoners/ex-prisoners, people with mental health challenges, and
people who have experienced trauma.
Compensation: $50,561 to $59,538 per annum plus HOOPP (Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan) option.
If you are interested in joining a creative and dedicated team, we want to hear from you! Please send your
resume and cover letter in a single document (MS Word or PDF format only) to [email protected], quoting
“Temp OPSW” in the subject line. Internally applicants please submit your applications by August 9th, 2023. All
other applicants, please submit application by August 14, 2023. We truly appreciate your interest; however, only
those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Please also note that the successful candidate will be required to provide a police vulnerable sector
check as a condition of employment, however strong consideration is made to the type of offense.
Employment is conditional upon having had a full series of COVID-19 vaccinations (2 doses, plus a
booster within the past 6-12 months) 14 days before starting employment.
PQWCHC is committed to the principles of access and equity. PQWCHC is committed to reflecting the diversity of the communities it serves
and we encourage applicants who reflect Toronto’s Indigenous, LGBTQ2, racial, and cultural diversity. We welcome and encourage
applications from all qualified candidates, including people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request. Parkdale Queen West
CHC is in full compliance of the Ontario Human Rights Code and does not discriminate on the ground of records of offenses.
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