Harm Reduction Technician/Treatment Program Specialist
Boston, MA
Full Time
Barbara McInnis House
Entry Level
Who We Are:
Since 1985, BHCHP’s mission has been to ensure unconditionally equitable and dignified access to the highest quality health care for all individuals and families experiencing homelessness in greater Boston. Over 10,000 homeless individuals are cared for by Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program each year. We are committed to ensuring that every one of these individuals has access to comprehensive health care, from preventative dental care to cancer treatment. Our clinicians, case managers, and behavioral health professionals work in more than 30 locations to serve some of our community’s most vulnerable—and most resilient—citizens.
From our earliest days as a program, we have always sought to do work that is transformational: recognizing our shared humanity; centering dignity, compassion, mutual respect and supporting the right of every individual to access the highest levels of health care and every staff member to reach their fullest potential. We continue to be committed to building bridges and breaking down barriers, including systemic racism which harms us all. We provide community-based health care services that are compassionate, dignified, and culturally appropriate, incorporating social determinants of health, with the goal of breaking down the physical and systemic barriers that our patients face.
Job Summary:
Hours: Full-time; 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm. This position offers flexible scheduling with shifts available seven days a week, including mornings, evenings, and overnights.
Union: Yes
Union Name: 1199SEIU
Patient Facing: Yes
Since 1985, the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program (BHCHP) has worked to ensure that individuals and families experiencing homelessness have access to the highest quality health care. At the Barbara McInnis House, a 104-bed medical respite facility in Boston’s South End, we are seeking a compassionate and dedicated professional to serve as a Treatment Specialist/Harm Reduction Milieu Manager who is also EMT-certified.
In this unique hybrid role, you will support patients at critical moments in their recovery journey by assessing substance use histories, evaluating readiness for treatment, and coordinating safe discharge plans. Equally important, you will help foster a healing environment within the respite milieu by providing harm reduction support, de-escalating behavioral challenges, and ensuring patient safety.
Working as part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary team that includes nurses, physicians, behavioral health clinicians, external partners (such as treatment programs), and security staff, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on patients’ lives. Your efforts will not only connect individuals to the next stage of care but also promote dignity, trust, and empowerment during their stay in respite.
Responsibilities:
Since 1985, BHCHP’s mission has been to ensure unconditionally equitable and dignified access to the highest quality health care for all individuals and families experiencing homelessness in greater Boston. Over 10,000 homeless individuals are cared for by Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program each year. We are committed to ensuring that every one of these individuals has access to comprehensive health care, from preventative dental care to cancer treatment. Our clinicians, case managers, and behavioral health professionals work in more than 30 locations to serve some of our community’s most vulnerable—and most resilient—citizens.
From our earliest days as a program, we have always sought to do work that is transformational: recognizing our shared humanity; centering dignity, compassion, mutual respect and supporting the right of every individual to access the highest levels of health care and every staff member to reach their fullest potential. We continue to be committed to building bridges and breaking down barriers, including systemic racism which harms us all. We provide community-based health care services that are compassionate, dignified, and culturally appropriate, incorporating social determinants of health, with the goal of breaking down the physical and systemic barriers that our patients face.
Job Summary:
Hours: Full-time; 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm. This position offers flexible scheduling with shifts available seven days a week, including mornings, evenings, and overnights.
Union: Yes
Union Name: 1199SEIU
Patient Facing: Yes
Since 1985, the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program (BHCHP) has worked to ensure that individuals and families experiencing homelessness have access to the highest quality health care. At the Barbara McInnis House, a 104-bed medical respite facility in Boston’s South End, we are seeking a compassionate and dedicated professional to serve as a Treatment Specialist/Harm Reduction Milieu Manager who is also EMT-certified.
In this unique hybrid role, you will support patients at critical moments in their recovery journey by assessing substance use histories, evaluating readiness for treatment, and coordinating safe discharge plans. Equally important, you will help foster a healing environment within the respite milieu by providing harm reduction support, de-escalating behavioral challenges, and ensuring patient safety.
Working as part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary team that includes nurses, physicians, behavioral health clinicians, external partners (such as treatment programs), and security staff, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on patients’ lives. Your efforts will not only connect individuals to the next stage of care but also promote dignity, trust, and empowerment during their stay in respite.
Responsibilities:
- Treatment Referral & Discharge Planning
- Assess substance use and treatment histories of patients referred by clinical and behavioral health teams.
- Foster a non-judgmental and empathetic approach to addressing substance use and related behaviors, recognizing each patient’s autonomy and inherent worth.
- Complete Bio-psychosocial assessments to inform treatment planning.
- Manage treatment referral queue: assist patients with applications, coordinate interviews, gather documentation, and follow up on program/bed availability.
- Provide patients with basic counseling about treatment options, using motivational interviewing techniques.
- Collaborate with treatment programs daily to check referral/application status.
- Support patients and teams with transitions from respite to treatment programs.
- Document services in Epic and provide end-of-day referral status updates to teams.
- Work closely with unit secretaries/transportation managers in supporting patients with methadone appointments as needed.
- Respond appropriately to emergencies by contacting the appropriate staff.
- Provide crisis management, behavioral de-escalation, and emergency response as needed.
- Serve as a role model by maintaining healthy boundaries and professional conduct.
- Utilize trauma-sensitive and motivational interviewing communication to foster trust and patient engagement.
- Provide education on harm reduction strategies, safer substance use practices, overdose prevention, and naloxone access.
- Assist with immediate case management needs (e.g., material resources, methadone appointments).
- Act as a member of an interdisciplinary team of caregivers; collaborate with team RN and Behavioral Health clinicians throughout the shift to determine appropriate work assignments and priorities; communicate the status of delegated tasks and outcomes of patient data findings.
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts EMT Certification required.
- Minimum of 2 years EMT or paramedic experience is strongly preferred.
- Understanding of substance use disorder and behavioral health issues.
- Interest and experience with the underserved population is preferable.
- Experience in understanding the effects and management of sedating medications and polysubstance use.
- Effective verbal, written, and interpersonal skills with the ability to interact with providers and team members from various settings and backgrounds.
- Sensitivity to ethnic, cultural, gender, beliefs, and behaviors.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, with excellent communication skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
- Knowledge of Harm Reduction/motivational interviewing techniques under a trauma-informed approach.
- Ability to work with patients with complex medical/PTSD/complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD).
- Self-directed, motivated, and flexible, able to work independently and as part of a team.
- Preferred: Associate degree or Certification in Alcohol & Drug Counseling (LADC II); EMT Certification.
- Experience with substance use treatment systems (ATS, CSS, TSS, sober homes, residential).
- Training/experience in motivational interviewing and harm reduction.
- Strong assessment, documentation, and organizational skills.
- Effective communication, interpersonal, and de-escalation skills.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, multitask, and adapt to change.
- Knowledge of multicultural issues, trauma-informed care, and the complex health needs of patients experiencing homelessness.
- If in personal recovery, minimum 1–2 years of continuous abstinence.
- Computer literacy required; Epic experience preferred.
- Bilingual (Spanish or Portuguese) strongly preferred.
- The compensation is $31.11 per hour.
- BHCHP full time employees are eligible for our competitive time off program, health, dental and vision insurance, 403B retirement savings plan, pre-tax MBTA pass program with 40% discount, additional compensation for demonstrated bilingual proficiency and more. Benefits are prorated for part-time employees.
Does this amazing opportunity interest you? Then we'd love to hear from you.
As an equal opportunity employer, Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information or characteristics, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.
Covid-19 Vaccination: Proof of Covid-19 vaccination(s) is optional for employment. Candidates who are offered employment will be given details about how to demonstrate receipt of vaccination if they choose to.
Please Note: Employment at Boston Health Care for the Homeless is at-will. Boston Health Care for the Homeless does not sponsor work authorization visas.
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