Overdose Prevention Supervisor - Responsible Person In Charge (RPIC)

Background:

Based in East Harlem and Washington Heights, two long-standing and well-regarded harm reduction organizations in New York City are seeking an RPIC ( Responsible Person in Charge). The non-profits, in the process of completing a merger, are innovative organizations serving low-income people who use drugs and other marginalized individuals. The wide range of mobile and center-based services are delivered by upwards of 80 staff and peer workers, and include syringe access, overdose prevention, public health, care coordination, medical care, holistic, peer education, and advocacy services. The organizations have a combined $7 million budget made up of mainly government grants. We prioritize hiring people with lived experience.

The Position:

We are currently looking for an RPIC to oversee day to day operations in our Overdose Prevention Centers. The RPIC works hand in hand with our Drop-in Centers Manager to ensure seamless coordination and triage of participants between the programs. The RPIC facilitates connection between the OPC and care coordination and clinical services, as well as to our respite, bathrooms, showers, laundry, groups and additional support services. The RPIC works to provide direct linkage to OPC participants to medication assisted therapy, HIV and HCV testing and treatment, overdose prevention and training in addition to urgent care, general health care, and case management services. For this position, NYRHE/WHCP are looking for an RPIC who is dedicated to harm reduction principles and eager to work in a high paced, high intensity environment.

Reports to: Program Director

Responsibilities:

The RPIC is responsible for ensuring the operations of the OPC comply with OnPoint|NYC OPR policies and procedures.

The RPIC will:

• Ensure the safe and effective operation of the OPC in line with OnPoint|NYC policies and procedures. Maintains and exemplary standard of service delivery in all facets of OPC operation.
• Work with Program Directors to develop and uphold policies, standards and protocols and ensures they are up-to-date and relevant
• Serve as lead contact and intermediary between the agency, emergency services (EMS, NYPD, FDNY)
• Develop a network of service providers serving the target population and liaises with other OnPoint|NYC departments and program managers, external partners, and health care providers to ensure coordination and a continuum of care that meets the needs of the participant
• Work closely with the Program Directors to develop consistent administrative practices and site operational standards, to ensure a coordinated system
• Supervise, coordinate scheduling, lead team meetings, coordinate internal communication and decision making among team members
•  Coordinate staff training, orientation, and on-going professional development with Program Director
• Oversee completion of OPC paperwork to ensure audit worthy documentation and data collection
• Submit data and paperwork in a timely manner as directed by Program Director
• Closely monitors stock of overdose intervention supplies and equipment; completes ordering and restocking processes efficiently to support safe and effective operation of the program
• Connects individuals to appropriate case management services and warmly hands them off to the appropriate staff person. Supports Coordination of external specialist appointments and coordinates escorts from case management when appropriate, and reminds the client of the upcoming appointment
• Delivers non-judgmental education around: overdose prevention & reversal with naloxone, safer injection practices, safer sex, vein finding, infectious disease prevention and/or management, buprenorphine initiation/management, HIV prevention with PrEP, HCV treatment and re-infection prevention, hydration/nutritional education and much more
• Assists in overdose intervention and monitoring in the OPC and Drop-in Center. Assistance from the RPIC occurs in two ways; a) assists are directive but are “hands-off” to facilitate “hands-on” learning for staff and peers working in the OPC, b) direct interventions when the severity or complexity of the overdose requires additional support. Facilitates overdose briefings at the end of the shift to discuss what went well and what could be improved
• Contributes to monthly and quarterly funder reports as assigned by supervisors
• Serves as a spokesperson for the OPC in line with OnPoint|NYCs media policy
• Performs related job duties, as required and directed by Program Director

OPR Specific Responsibilities

•  Greet participants and invite them into OPR by order of arrival
• Orients new participants to the OPR routine, lay out, supplies, services, etc.
• Works to ensure participants’ safety by remaining vigilant, making observations and seeking emergency assistance as required, according to established protocols
• Monitors participant activities in the OPR
• Establishes engagement and develops rapport with participants – relationship building
• De-escalates conflict with or among participants, according to established protocols
• Controls flow and numbers of participants into and out of each area in site, in accordance with established staff: participant ratios (1:4)
• Maintains clean and well stocked work environment, according to established protocol
• Supervises the disposal of used equipment, according to established protocol
• Cleans the consumption booths after each use, according to established protocol
• Discharges to the Drop-In Center when safe to do so. Communicate any concerns or needs for follow-up/continued monitoring to Drop-In Center staff
• Performs exemplary complex overdose intervention when necessary
• Proactively completes tasks and works well with the rest of the team

Minimum Qualifications:

•  Minimum two years working in a harm reduction environment (e.g., an SSP)
• Experience with complex poly-substance overdose intervention
• Experience working in community health with marginalized populations preferred. Including HIV positive individuals, active drug users, unstably housed individuals, sex workers or formerly incarcerated individuals
• Maintains respect and compassion for all clients being served, regardless of their active drug use or treatment compliance
• Commitment to harm reduction and social justice as it pertains to individuals who use drugs or engage in sex work in a multi-cultural, multi-racial environment, in a non-judgmental way
• Spanish language skills are highly preferred
• Strong phlebotomy skills with patients who have vein finding difficulty is a plus
• Lived experience, current or former PWUD strongly encouraged to apply