Drug Checking & Harm Reduction Specialist

Job title: Drug Checking & Harm Reduction Specialist

Company: Johns Hopkins University


Job description: We are currently seeking a Drug Checking & Harm Reduction Specialist (DCHRS) for a mobile harm reduction intervention (‘Check It’) as part of a large research study. Check It is an innovative, low-barrier mobile overdose- and HIV-prevention intervention that provides mobile point-of-care drug checking, HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), wound care, and other harm reduction services to people who use drugs in Baltimore and neighboring counties. Check It staff must operate within the principles of harm reduction. The DCHRS will perform drug checking using a Fourier Transform Infrared spectrometer (FTIR) on our mobile van. In addition to running the instrument and interpreting spectra, they will engage directly with clients to provide results and counseling about harm reduction practices. This requires an ability to communicate technical subjects effectively with non-technical community members and to use respectful, non-judgmental language. In-depth training on operating the FTIR, its analytical software/compound libraries, and how to analyze data, as well as what is known about the composition of the local illicit drug use market, will be provided, as needed. The DCHRS will also help manage, analyze, interpret, and report data related to drug samples and service delivery, including presentation of findings to various audiences, including community members, colleagues, and academic/conference session attendees. In addition to drug checking, this role requires harm reduction outreach engagement, which may include harm reduction supply management, distribution, and training. There will also be collaboration with external organizations and programs. The DCHRS will coordinate key training and reporting activities for program funders and support supply inventory through tracking and ordering. They will be expected to take independent initiative to complete tasks and be able to make independent decisions about the direction and conduct of the work. This role will interact with all members of the Check It team (e.g., drug checking technicians, nurses, physicians, peer navigators, students, JHU faculty), as well as clients, including people experiencing homelessness and people who use drugs, and leadership and staff at partnering community-based organizations. This role will require community-based work at least 80% of the time.Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Perform on-site point-of-care drug checking with FTIR and test strips on mobile van and/or at fixed sites in partnership with local harm reduction service providers.
• Collect and record data about the contents of samples.
• Contribute to standard operating procedures for drug checking.
• Engage with FTIR manufacturer to ensure optimal set up, ongoing operation, maintenance, technical assistance, etc.
• Ensure instruments (FTIR, computer, supplies, etc.) are transported, set up, and put away safely according to Standard Operating Procedures.
• Calibrate and validate the FTIR for optimal and accurate substance detection concurrently with partner labs using confirmatory technology.
• Contribute to data dissemination activities, including managing, collecting, cleaning, coding, analyzing, interpreting, summarizing, and presenting data for a variety of audiences.
• Establish and maintain community relationships.
• Engage in other harm reduction service delivery-related tasks on mobile van and/or in partnership with local harm reduction service providers, including packing and distributing supplies, including drug checking tools, safer use supplies, condoms, resource lists, hygiene items, clothes, snacks and seasonal items, conducting community outreach activities in and around Baltimore (may expand to other areas of Maryland over time), conducting overdose response trainings, HIV/STI testing, and harm reduction education. All necessary training will be provided prior to engagement in these activities.
• Research and develop harm reduction educational materials and public health alerts about novel psychoactive substances for program participants and other stakeholders.
• Develop and implement Check It communications and educational materials.
• Communicate regularly with faculty and senior staff to provide updates and feedback.
• Data management, including developing and implementing QA/QC procedures (including data checking and cleaning of data).
• Analyze data using a variety of standard techniques and platforms.
• Present and summarize analyses in various formats including raw output, tables, graphics, oral and written reports.
• Participate in field staff and analysis meetings.
• Support study implementation and overall instrumentation.
• Represent the project and actively participate in relevant external groups, such as the Alliance for Collaborative Drug Checking.

• Conduct and coordinate overdose response training.
• Prepare funder reports.
• Coordinate wound care training courses for external audiences.
• Maintain local listserv.
• Oversee supply inventory.
• Oversee mobile van logistics.
• General clerical duties.
• Additional responsibilities at the discretion of the program leadership.

Special Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Valid driver’s license and ability to drive large vehicles.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 45 lbs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in related discipline.
• Three years related experience.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience with drug checking and FTIR operation.
• Background in analytic chemistry or drug science.
• Prior outreach work experience with diverse populations, including people who use drugs.

Classified Title: Research Data Analyst
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Drug Checking & Harm Reduction Specialist
Role/Level/Range: ACRP/04/MC
Starting Salary Range: $48,000 – $84,100 Annually (Commensurate with experience)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Monday to Friday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Exempt Status: Exempt
Location: School of Public Health
Department name: HBS-Research Projects
Personnel area: School of Public HealthTotal Rewards
The referenced base salary range represents the low and high end of Johns Hopkins University’s salary range for this position. Not all candidates will be eligible for the upper end of the salary range. Exact salary will ultimately depend on multiple factors, which may include the successful candidate’s geographic location, skills, work experience, market conditions, education/training and other qualifications. Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports our employees’ health, life, career and retirement. More information can be found here: .Education and Experience Equivalency
Please refer to the job description above to see which forms of equivalency are permitted for this position. If permitted, equivalencies will follow these guidelines: JHU Equivalency Formula: 30 undergraduate degree credits (semester hours) or 18 graduate degree credits may substitute for one year of experience. Additional related experience may substitute for required education on the same basis. For jobs where equivalency is permitted, up to two years of non-related college course work may be applied towards the total minimum education/experience required for the respective job.Applicants Completing Studies
Applicants who do not meet the posted requirements but are completing their final academic semester/quarter will be considered eligible for employment and may be asked to provide additional information confirming their academic completion date.Background Checks
The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check. Johns Hopkins is committed to hiring individuals with a justice-involved background, consistent with applicable policies and current practice. A prior criminal history does not automatically preclude candidates from employment at Johns Hopkins University. In accordance with applicable law, the university will review, on an individual basis, the date of a candidate’s conviction, the nature of the conviction and how the conviction relates to an essential job-related qualification or function.Diversity and Inclusion
The Johns Hopkins University values diversity, equity and inclusion and advances these through our key strategic framework, the .Equal Opportunity Employer
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.EEO is the LawAccommodation Information
If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the Talent Acquisition Office at . For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations or accessibility at Johns Hopkins University, please visit .Vaccine Requirements
Johns Hopkins University strongly encourages, but no longer requires, at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine does not apply to positions located in the State of Florida. We still require all faculty, staff, and students to receive the . Exceptions to the COVID and flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry. This change does not apply to the School of Medicine (SOM). SOM hires must be fully vaccinated with an FDA COVID-19 vaccination and provide proof of vaccination status. For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit and all other JHU applicants should visit .The following additional provisions may apply, depending upon campus. Your recruiter will advise accordingly.
The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.School of Public Health – East Baltimore Campus

Expected salary: $48000 – 84100 per year

Location: USA

Job date: Wed, 15 Jan 2025 04:17:39 GMT

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