Closing Date: until position is filled
Employment Type: Contract Part-Time (5-10 Hours/Week)
Location(s): Operating within the area covered under the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority
Employer: AIDS Vancouver
Salary Range: $22.00/hr
Send Cover Letter and Resume to: [email protected] or drop off in person at AIDS Vancouver Office – 1101 Seymour St. Vancouver BC. V6B 0R1
Job Summary
AIDS Vancouver’s Peer Navigators, in conjunction with the member/participant, develop strategies to maintain or improve health and wellness needs and implement self-management skill sets. Working collaboratively with other health care and wellness providers, the Peer Navigators provide direct health system navigation, health advocacy, education and linkage to relevant specialized health, social and emotional well-being and wellness resources related to HIV. Peer Navigators network with front line service providers to promote AIDS Vancouver’s Peer Navigation Services. Schedule is 5-10 hours per week depending on availability and skills.
Qualities we are looking for in a Peer Navigator
• You have a cell phone.
• You are dependable, reliable and know how to use a day-planner.
• You have strong emotional self-management skills-
o The ability to keep your own feelings in check while helping someone else through theirs.
o Able to creatively solve problems.
o The ability to set firm boundaries and practice assertive communication.
o The ability to put your own personal judgments, prejudice, and biases aside.
• You are willing to be out about your HIV status to your peers, so are able to draw upon your own personal experiences with HIV, addiction, and shame to help others.
• You are an intuitive listener.
• Have a reputation for helping others.
• A compassionate person with the ability to treat the person in front of you with dignity and respect.
• You are outgoing and able to engage people who may not trust you at first.
• You work independently, and as part of a team.
• But are not too proud to ask for help and able to take direction.
• You have a strong, solid support group and/or active self-care regimen.
• You have two years clean and sober.
• You are comfortable communicating with health care professionals.
• You can work within the harm reduction model of the society.
Part Time Peer Navigator Main Duties
As part of an interdisciplinary team:
• Inform and educate the larger community about HIV testing sites and the value of testing.
• Provide basic HIV101 information at outreach events, health fairs, community gatherings and at direct street outreach.
• Ensures on-going support to participants by maintaining contact by way of in person drop-in, email, telephone calls, and accompaniments.
• Assess member knowledge and self-management skill level in the areas of HIV disease including treatment, preventing disease progression, preventing transmission, self-care, emotional wellness, social support, disclosure, and harm-reduction.
• Help participants to develop self-management skills based on participant-identified needs and Clinic or Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)Outreach Team recommendations.
• Refer members to HIV related health and wellness services and/or other community services.
• Accompany clients to clinics, community agencies or accompanying nurses to homes.
• Attend patient consults at request of clinic or patient.
• In consultation with a Supervisor, promote the Peer Navigation Program.
• Maintain confidential and accurate files.
• Comply with agency policies and procedures, including but not limited to maintaining confidentiality of participants and business operations in accordance with Society policies.
You would be working around people active in their drug or alcohol addiction. These are important points for you to consider before applying for this position.