Outreach Worker - Program to Access Treatment for HIV and Support (PATHS)

QUALIFICATIONS
* Grade 12 education (MB Standards)
* Post-secondary education in a health related discipline relevant to the position
* Manitoba Indigenous Cultural Safety Training (MICST)(or obtained within one year of employment)
* BC-CFE Working Together-Interprofessional Care in HIV (online) Training (or obtained within three (3) months of employment) or willingness to obtain
* One (1) year of experience in a Health Care setting within the last three (3) years
* Other combinations of suitable education and experience may be considered
* Province of Manitoba Class 5 Drivers Licence, or equivalent from province of residence, and access to a personal vehicle to provide service within Prairie Mountain Health
* Proficiency with Microsoft programs (Outlook, Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint), as well as Internet applications and other Information Technology
* Demonstrated ability to work with marginalized and culturally diverse populations
* Demonstrated ability to establish rapport with clients and families in order to explore issues that are beyond the initial presented concerns
* Working knowledge of harm reduction principles
* Demonstrated organizational skills, and the ability to work independently
* Demonstrated problem solving and decision making skills
* Demonstrated flexibility to facilitate changes in techniques and procedures in a changing environment
* Demonstrated knowledge and competence of skills and concepts related to the position
* Demonstrated communication skills
* Ability to respect and promote confidentiality
* Ability to perform the duties of the position on a regular basis
* Ability to respect and promote a culturally diverse population
* Ability to work effectively and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, clients and within interdisciplinary team

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Manitoba HIV Program’s “Program to Access Treatment for HIV and Support (PATHS)” is an interdisciplinary outreach-based service model of care that provides intensive case management for people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Manitoba who are not linked, or precariously linked to HIV care. The goals of the clinical outreach team are to:

• Provide wrap-around care with psychosocial supports to PLHIV,
• Offer and link to culturally relevant and Indigenous led care,
• Support PLHIV to access and adhere to HIV treatment medication, and
• Support PLHIV to transition to long term primary care services.

Reporting to the manager, Health Services, 7th Street Health Access Centre, the PATHS Outreach Worker works as part of an interdisciplinary team to provide outreach services to vulnerable and marginalized clients diagnosed with HIV.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Overview:

1. Provides outreach support to PLHIV who are not linked to care or precariously linked to care. Service is provided in non-traditional settings which may include community spaces and drop-ins, shelters, encampments, community agencies, residences, correctional settings, withdrawal management centers, primary care clinics, hotels, parks and streets.
2. Provides client care in a competent, safe and understanding manner that encourages client participation, empowerment and respect.
3. Observing client’s health condition and reporting concerns to PATHS Primary Care Nurse or delegate.
4. Arranges, plans, escorts and accompanies clients to medical appointments and errands as they relate to psychosocial support.
5. Creates linkages to other community resources and assists clients with applications and support to connect.
6. Provides brief assessment and planning on issues related to social determinants of health including income security, housing, social supports, self-efficacy and self-care.
7. Identifies client’s needs for services and develops alternate strategies for client support, education, and follow up care with the interdisciplinary team.
8. Assesses high-risk situations and provides crisis interventions, utilizing de-escalation skills to manage aggressive behaviour.
9. Promotes development of life skills in clients by providing them with information and practical assistance to meet their basic needs.
10. Encourages client empowerment, capacity to exercise choice, and actively participates in decisions affecting their health and care plans.
11. Attends meetings and participates in client care planning and service coordination.
12. Maintains accurate record of outreach activities.
13. Prepares and maintains documentation standards per workplace policy and procedure.
14. Other duties as assigned.