HIV Support and Prevention Worker

Job description

About FRAFCA:

The Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association (FRAFCA) is a rapidly growing Indigenous community-based organization, serving BC’s largest urban Indigenous population of children, youth, families & Elders. Our Vision is to build a community of strong, healthy, successful Indigenous people connected to each other and to their roots by fostering their health & well-being through culturally relevant services, support, and advocacy.

Position Summary:

The FH Indigenous Populations’ focused HIV Support and Prevention Worker role collaborates and acts as an extended member of the HIV clinical case management team to perform a wide variety of supportive tasks to assist in the prevention of HIV and the progression of HIV and promote overall optimal health for their client base. The HIV support & prevention worker will prioritize and collaborate on client care plans deemed as high priority based on clinical factors assessed by the Sexual Health/BBI team; while simultaneously providing ongoing support to maintain clients’ engagement in case.

Your Duties:
1. Provide health & wellness support as well as crisis intervention services through low barrier and easily accessible services:

  • Prioritize and support all aspects of securing and maintaining emergency and long-term stabilized housing for individual clients.
  • Prioritize and support income security issues; including welfare, schooling, employment program referrals and health benefit advocacy.
  • Update, consult and provide feedback to Sexual Health/BBI team on important factors related to client engagement and disengagement from community supports.
  • Assist with organizing appointments, travel, and related accompaniments/outreach activities in partnership with the Sexual Health/BBI Team to ensure client base is provided priority supports to maintain engagement in HIV care.
  • Maintain expertise in regional community supports, subsidies, recreation, volunteer, and employment opportunities for clients seeking relevant supports.
  • Support client base with access to peer-based programming and initiatives such as referrals to peer support groups and leadership development opportunities.

2. HIV Prevention Support:

  • Support clients deemed as high priority for risk by the STBBI Testing/health promotion team with linkage to primary care.
  • Support priority clients with risk reduction support strategies, education and referrals to promote safer behaviours in the realms of high-risk activities (i.e. substance use, unprotected high-risk sex etc.)
  • Support and champion and lead aspects of the FH HIV Anti-Sigma Working group in the Fraser East Region by identifying key audiences, supporting the involvement of peer voices to reduce harms of stigma and to bring awareness and prioritization of issues pertaining to sexual health across communities and urban settings served in the Fraser East Region.
  • Support the development of peer support groups for individuals engaging in high risk behaviors especially pertaining to sexual health and support information sharing and risk reduction strategies
  • Support promotion, messaging and referral pathways for Indigenous persons wanting to access PrEP in Fraser in collaboration with the FH STBBI Testing/Health Promotion Team.

3. Competencies to maintain for both HIV support and prevention work:

  • Maintain knowledge of HIV health related issues and other health matters amongst Indigenous Population Groups
  • Strong understanding of decolonization frameworks and their application to service delivery models
  • Expertise in holistic health and supportive of culturally traditional means of addressing health matters
  • Maintain strong knowledge on core competencies and diversified models of care for targeted for Two Spirited, gbMSM and Trans population groups, drug using groups, Women, youth and persons with mental health conditions across Indigenous Population groups
  • Demonstrate understanding of the issues surrounding communicable disease, priority populations, drug use, mental health, poverty, and stigma
  • Understand and share core competencies and practices reflective of health equity, diversified practices across population groups and champion and support accessibility for diversified population groups
  • Understand the importance of language and support frameworks to minimize harm and support trauma-informed practice
  • Maintain strong knowledge and support referral pathways on the expansion of HIV medications in the realms of prevention and treatment including aspects of PrEP, nPEP and HIV treatment.
  • Attend client care meetings such as Lost to Care Rounds, case conferences and local clinical rounds as required
  • Maintain confidential and accurate documentation of client interventions
  • Maintain accurate statistical data, and reporting.
  • Regional Collaboration- HIV Anti-Stigma Working Group
  • Two spirited Working Group.

Qualifications:
Education and Experience:

  • Degree; and 2000 hours demonstrated experience supporting individuals living with HIV ;
  • Current First Aid and CPR certification is a condition of employment, as well as a negative tuberculosis test
  • Class 5 Driver’s License, own vehicle, and a clear drivers’ abstract.
  • Successful candidate will be required to submit a criminal record check upon hire and complete a vulnerable person’s check;

Other requirements:

  • Integrated Case Management Knowledge of Indigenous mental health and addictions theories, and approaches
  • Knowledge of the diversity of Indigenous cultures, identities, and lived history.
  • Extensive knowledge of Health and healing resources and supports in Chilliwack and the Fraser Valley.
  • Excellent team player, and able to work collaboratively in a clinical team setting;
  • Competently use Microsoft Word & Excel programs for case-management and reporting purposes

We thank all that apply, but only those selected for interview will be contacted.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Open until suitable candidate is found.

*****Pursuant to S. 41 of the BC Human Rights code, preference may be given to Aboriginal Applicants.

“We are committed to the National Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action. FRAFCA is engaged primarily in promoting or serving the interests of Indigenous peoples, FRAFCA prioritizes employment to Indigenous peoples. Preference will be given to Indigenous applicants, unless that preference or employment would constitute a discriminatory practice under the Canadian Human Rights Act.”

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $27.00-$28.00 per hour

Benefits:

  • Casual dress
  • Dental care
  • Extended health care
  • On-site parking
  • Paid time off
  • Wellness program

Schedule:

  • Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

  • Surrey, BC V3R 1V9: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Education:

  • Bachelor’s Degree (preferred)

Work Location: In person