Harm Reduction Worker

Nanaimo, BC, Canada

Full-time

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Job details

Job type: Full-time
Apply by: Nov 7, 2026
Posting language: English
Posted: Oct 8, 2026

Original job description

The Harm Reduction Worker assists clients with mental health and substance use challenges to live successfully in the community by providing a variety of day-to-day physical, emotional, and social supports, assistance, information, resources, and demonstrations, in accordance with Harm Reduction principles.

The purpose of the overdose prevention site is to improve health outcomes for people who inject drugs by providing a safe, supervised place to do so. Working at the fixed-site location, the Harm Reduction Worker will interact with service users, distribute harm and risk reduction materials, provide information and referrals when required. The HR Worker will work independently and collaboratively with the other health care providers to provide integrated support to clients accessing the site services.

Education and Experience

Diploma in Community Social Service, or related program
Class V BC Driver’s License
Certificates in CPR and First Aid
Comfortable observing people injecting drugs
Recent, related experience of one year;
Or, an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience;
Or, other Qualifications determined to be reasonable and relevant to the level of work

Skills And Abilities

Knowledge of current social issues related to homelessness, mental health and substance misuse
Knowledge of psychosocial rehabilitation principles
Demonstrated ability to develop effective relationships following harm reduction principles
Demonstrated knowledge of community resources including applicable harm reduction resources
Good interpersonal skills including the ability to display tact and diplomacy
Ability to interact with people of all ages, identities and cultural backgrounds
Ability to problem solve and deal with conflict effectively
Excellent written and oral communication skills to deal with a broad range of professionals
Ability to work constructively as a part of team
Comfortable working independently, and in cooperation with others
Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position
Ability to operate related equipment
Ability to organize and prioritize
Ability to observe and recognize changes in clients

Benefits:

Casual dress
Company Pension
Dental Care
Employee assistance program
Extended health care
On-site parking

Duties and Responsibilities

Engages positively with people who use illicit substances and other stigmatized populations using a harm reduction approach.
Builds rapport, provide support and advocate for a diverse range of clients including individuals who are actively using substances and living with significant health challenges.
Applies sound judgement, stay grounded and use creativity, flexibility and assertiveness when working through often unpredictable situations and emergencies.
Responds to changeable and sometime volatile behaviours utilizing non-violent communication and de-escalation techniques.
Performs security duties for the facility such as patrolling buildings and grounds, managing client flow.
Performs ‘clean sweep’ of local area looking for and collecting discarded Harm Reduction supplies.
Supervises and directs clients in peer work activities.
Performs housekeeping duties such as sanitizing tables, sweeping and mopping floors and dusting.
Performs administrative support duties such as answering calls, collating intake packages, giving referrals, and providing program information to clients, other agencies, and the public.
Completes and maintains related records and documentation such as intake forms, incident reports, daily stats and logbooks.
Works professionally and ethically in a team setting, including the ability to maintain confidentiality, and stay focused on the client’s needs.
Communicates and collaborates with other VIMHS staff and programs, specifically the Sobering and Assessment Centre.
Performs other related duties as assigned.

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More about this job

Responsibilities

Support clients experiencing substance use and mental health challenges through harm reduction services, information, referrals, advocacy, and supervised site access. Maintain a safe and clean facility, respond to emergencies and conflict, complete records, and collaborate with staff and community partners.

Requirements

A diploma in Community Social Service or a related program, a Class V BC driver's license, and CPR and First Aid certificates are listed, along with one year of related experience or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Candidates should understand homelessness, mental health, substance use, psychosocial rehabilitation, and harm reduction, and demonstrate strong communication, relationship-building, de-escalation, and teamwork abilities.

Skills

Harm Reduction
Relationship Building
Client Advocacy
De-Escalation
Conflict Resolution
Crisis Response
Interpersonal Communication
Written Communication
Teamwork
Independent Work
Problem Solving
Organization and Prioritization
Client Observation
Community Resource Knowledge
Confidentiality
First Aid and CPR

Benefits

Casual Dress
Company Pension
Dental Care
Employee Assistance Program
Extended Health Care
On-Site Parking

Visa sponsorship

Not detected in the job text

Keywords

Harm Reduction
Overdose Prevention
Substance Use
Mental Health
Homelessness
Psychosocial Rehabilitation
Community Social Services
Client Support
Client Advocacy
Referrals
Community Resources
CPR
First Aid
Class V BC Driver's License
Non-Violent Communication
De-Escalation
Crisis Response
Conflict Resolution
Facility Security
Peer Work
Housekeeping
Intake Forms
Incident Reports
Documentation
Confidentiality
Team Collaboration

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