Are you passionate about public health, social justice and harm reduction? Do you strive to improve the lives of marginalised people who inject drugs? Then join our team at Melbourne’s first Medically Supervised Injecting Room (MSIR) at North Richmond Community Health to work on the cutting-edge drug health services.

North Richmond Community Health (NRCH) is committed to making healthcare more accessible and culturally relevant. With Victoria’s first Medically Supervised Injecting Room, NRCH works with community members to support social justice principles which afford all people the right to dignity, respect, and the highest quality of care. NRCH provides a range of medical and community services to clients from all backgrounds.

Roles and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Observe and monitor client’s wellbeing throughout their visit to MSIR, acting on client alerts and behavioural contacts as indicated
• Engage with clients to identify health needs and refer to local health and welfare services
• Uphold and promote the dignity of all people who use our service and promote awareness and understanding in the community
• Develop and maintain skills in overdose management, incident de-escalation and management, infection control, vein care and safer injecting practices, harm reduction and health promotion
• Provide needle syringe (NS) equipment

Key Selection Criteria

Essential qualifications, attributes and skills include, but are not limited to:

• Qualifications in Welfare or Social Sciences, Psychology, Public Health or equivalent
• Experience working in needle and syringe programs, drug and alcohol services, crisis services and engaging with vulnerable people who may exhibit complex and challenging behaviours
• Understanding of, and commitment to, Harm Reduction and Social Justice
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, including problem solving ability and conflict resolution skills, as well as sound oral and writing skills

The Harm Reduction Practitioner role is recruiting to both fixed-term part time and casual positions. Shifts are Monday to Friday 06:30-14:30 and 13:30-21:30. Weekends and public holidays 07:30- 13:45/15:30 and 11:30/13:15 to 19:30.

The position description is attached.

Please note it is a requirement for all employees of North Richmond Community Health to demonstrate evidence of mandatory immunisations/vaccinations, including 3 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and annual flu vaccine, prior to commencement of employment, based on the Immunisation Category this position falls under. All offers of employment are subject to provision of a satisfactory National Criminal History Check and a valid Working with Children Check.

Applications that do not address the Key Selection Criteria will not be reviewed.