Harm Reduction Support Worker
Reports to: Service Manager
Location: Galway
Contract Details: 2 Year Fixed Term Contract, 37 hours per week
Salary Details: HSE Social Care Worker 01/03/2023 salary scale €36,195 – €51,941
What we Offer: • 25 Days Annual Leave
• Employee Pension Scheme
• Employee Assistance Program
• Bike to Work Scheme
• Education Assistance Program – financial support for upskilling/qualifications
• Death in Service benefit – 2 times basic annual salary
• Occupational Sick Leave Policy
Job Purpose: The Harm Reduction Support Worker offers psychosocial therapeutic support to clients wishing to access addiction support services.
Duties and Responsibilities:
To work within a Dynamic Multi-Disciplinary Team
To play a key role within a pilot initiative to develop a pre-entry programme for clients who are considering residential addiction Treatment Services, particularly Coolmine
To offer tailored one-to-one support in the areas of mental health, substance use, overdose, prevention, violence, self-harm, suicidality and sexual and emotional trauma
To co-develop and co-facilitate groups to provide support and psychoeducation to clients, appropriate to their needs and strengths
To work using a trauma informed, strengths-based approach/CRA/ MI
To deal with difficult or problematic situations in a sensitive manner and within the framework of the organisation’s policies and procedures
To ensure that clients are consulted with and involved in the operation of the service to the greatest practical extent
To be accessible and responsive to clients’ questions, concerns and requests for information
To maintain positive and mutually beneficial relationships with relevant external agencies
To facilitate clients to access local services such as medical, therapeutic, welfare, training, education and employment and to advocate on their behalf
To work on an Outreach basis as and when appropriate
Administration
To maintain all recording systems as directed
To ensure that all communication and administrative policies and procedures are followed
To prepare reports, statistics and other information as required
Training
To attend and participate in training courses as required
To identify areas of future training need
General
To represent Galway Simon Community at meetings, conferences, seminars and other events
To project a positive image of the Simon Community at all times
To maintain confidentiality on all matters relating to staff, volunteers, clients, ex clients and general Galway Simon Community Business
To be aware of and adhere to all Galway Simon Community Policies and Procedures currently in operation
To facilitate effective team work and maintain good channels of communication
To attend training, meetings, case conferences and external meetings as appropriate
To work at other locations as and when required
To work in line with best practice and in accordance with the policies and procedures of Galway Simon Community
To be accountable for your workload to the Service Manager
Any other duties as may be from time to time requested by management.
This Job Description is intended to indicate the broad range of responsibilities and requirements of the position. It is neither exhaustive nor exclusive but while some variation can be expected in particular duties, as the position evolves, the outline is considered to provide a reasonable general description of the position.
Person specification:
Essential
Education
• A recognised third level qualification (minimum Level 7) in social care, mental health nursing, psychology, addiction studies or a related field
Experience, Attributes, Skills, Abilities and Knowledge
• Two years’ experience of working with substance users, people experiencing poor mental health and/or other socially marginalised groups including homelessness
• A thorough knowledge of and a commitment to working in the area of psychosocial support
• Knowledge and experience of working with people experiencing a Dual Diagnosis/ Co-occurring issues
• A commitment to working in a low threshold setting and an ability to treat the client group in a non-judgmental and respectful way
• Have a knowledge of child protection and safe-guarding vulnerable adults’ policies
• An ability to work from own initiative within a challenging, ever changing environment
• Strong interpersonal, leadership, teamwork and conflict resolution skills
• Excellent knowledge of relevant local services, especially in the areas of mental health and addiction
• Experience of effective interagency work
• Strong interpersonal and group facilitation skills
• An excellent ability to communicate verbally and in writing with a wide variety of people
• Competent I.T. skills
• An ability to understand, prevent, manage and respond to challenging behaviour
• Have a valid and full clean driver’s licence; access to own vehicle for work-related purposes and be able to obtain insurance to indemnify Galway Simon and carry passengers in relation to work-related duties.
To apply: Applicants should submit a CV to jobs@galwaysimon.ie, by 5pm on closing date on 1st September 2024
If you have any questions in relation to this position, please contact the HR department via email jobs@galwaysimon.ie