Cultural Harm Reduction Outreach Worker

REPORTS TO: Cultural Harm Reduction Outreach Supervisor

DEPARTMENT: Health Department

LOCATION: Chippewa Health Centre, Chippewas of the Thames First Nation

TERM: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Evenings and weekends may be required)

POSTING DATE: October 1, 2025

CLOSING DATE: October 22, 2025

Summary:

The Cultural Harm Reduction Outreach Worker provides outreach services and networks with individuals at their homes and on the street in order to increase the use of harm reduction materials, skills, and strategies among injection drug users, thereby reducing the associated risk of transmission of HIV, HCV, and other blood-borne illnesses. The Cultural Harm Reduction Outreach Worker is responsible for incorporating First Nation Cultural components, such as the First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum Framework Healing model (emotional, spiritual, physical, and mental wellness) into all programming and work with individuals. The Cultural Outreach Worker will incorporate Ojibway Language and Culture into all components of service delivery.

Responsibilities:

• Deliver harm-reduction outreach, including distribution of supplies and scheduled pickup services for clients ensuring safe handling and transport of used biohazardous materials. Provide client and community education on harm reduction and bloor-borne infections such as HIV and HCV; deliver presentations as required.
• Support individuals who use substances and those at risk of drug use, sex trade involvement, or homelessness through health promotion, resource navigation, and advocacy.
• Connect clients with culturally appropriate supports, including traditional healers, ceremonies, and medicines; promote local and regional cultural resources.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with community partner agencies; promote Harm Reduction Services within the Health Department.
• Respond to calls, prioritize requests, and schedule outreach deliveries
• Collect, enter, and analyze outreach statistics to identify trends and inform strategies and prepare activity and program reports.
• Develop and implement outreach work plans, goals, and objectives and identify and recommend policy and procedure updates.
• Promote outreach activities through appropriate channels to increase awareness and engagement.
• Maintain required certifications and participate in ongoing professional development and engagement.
• Maintain required certifications and participate in ongoing professional development and debriefing, including First Aid/CPR, ASIST, SafeTALK, MHFA, cultural safety, and CISM.
• Support program logistics, including transporting and setting up supplies and equipment; perform office duties that invovle computer work and meetings.