Safe Harbour is seeking compassionate, adaptable, and community-focused Primary Care Paramedics (PCPs) to join our Social Diversion Team.
As part of the Social Diversion Team, PCPs respond to calls involving individuals experiencing vulnerability, crisis, homelessness, substance use, mental health concerns, behavioural health challenges, intoxication, or social instability. Many individuals supported through this program are unhoused or marginally housed and require immediate, trauma-informed, and person-centered intervention.
This frontline role combines emergency medical response, client centered stabilization, crisis intervention, outreach support, and systems navigation to reduce unnecessary emergency department visits, police involvement, and repeat crisis interactions while connecting individuals to appropriate community supports and healthcare services.
Guided by Safe Harbour’s principles of Compassion, Relationship, Truth Telling, Listening, and Peace Making, PCPs approach every interaction with dignity, cultural humility, professionalism, and a commitment to meeting people where they are at.
The Social Diversion Team operates collaboratively with RCMP Non-Emergency, Alberta Health Services (AHS), Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Police Services, Street Connect, shelters, outreach programs, and other community agencies. Collaboration and relationship-building are essential to this role.
Role Purpose
The Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) plays an integral role within Safe Harbour’s outreach and shelter continuum of care by providing frontline medical support, emergency response, health focused intervention, crisis stabilization, and recovery-oriented community care.
The focus of this position is to:
- Provide immediate assessment, intervention, and stabilization during community crises
- Respond to suspected overdoses and medical emergencies
- Reduce harm and support safer outcomes for vulnerable individuals
- Assist individuals in navigating healthcare, housing, addiction, and social support systems
- Support recovery-oriented and trauma-informed approaches to care
- Reduce inappropriate utilization of emergency and enforcement services
- Strengthen continuity of care through collaborative community partnerships
Schedule - Monday – Friday, 8:30am - 4:30 pm
Flexible scheduling and occasional overtime may be required based on operational needs.
Key Responsibilities
Emergency Medical Response & Harm Reduction
- Respond to suspected incidents of opioid poisoning, intoxication, withdrawal, medical emergencies, and behavioural health crises within the community and shelter environment
- Assess emergency scenes and individuals to determine required interventions and care priorities
- Administer naloxone, oxygen therapy, basic life support (BLS) airway adjuncts, semi-automated defibrillation, and other interventions within PCP scope of practice
- Provide first aid, wound care, overdose response, harm reduction interventions, and climate-related emergency response
- Monitor and support individuals experiencing acute withdrawal symptoms or medical instability
- Ensure emergency response kits, naloxone supplies, and medical equipment are stocked and operational
- Facilitate emergency transfer to EMS, hospital, or higher levels of care when required
Crisis Intervention & Outreach Support
- Respond to individuals in crisis with professionalism, empathy, sound judgment, and trauma-informed care
- Conduct risk, needs, and safety assessments while prioritizing de-escalation and harm reduction approaches
- Build trusting relationships through active listening, respectful engagement, and client-centered care
- Provide crisis intervention aimed at minimizing harm and supporting stabilization
- Support clients experiencing homelessness, substance use, mental health challenges, trauma, and complex social barriers
- Provide safe and timely transportation to shelters, healthcare services, detox, treatment programs, or community supports using the Social Diversion vehicle
Recovery-Oriented Support & Advocacy
- Work alongside clients in supporting individualized recovery-oriented goals through mentorship, advocacy, and relationship-based care
- Facilitate supported referrals to housing, health services, addiction treatment, income supports, and community programs
- Support continuity of care through collaboration with healthcare professionals, shelters, outreach teams, and partner agencies
- Discuss evidence-based interventions that reduce morbidity and mortality related to substance use
- Provide overdose prevention education and distribute take-home naloxone kits where appropriate
- Support culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and harm reduction-focused service delivery
Collaboration & Teamwork
- Work collaboratively with EMS, RCMP, Police Services, AHS, shelter staff, outreach workers, and community agencies
- Strengthen interdisciplinary team dynamics through communication, advocacy, and collaborative planning
- Participate in case coordination, shift handovers, debriefings, and team meetings
- Maintain productive working relationships with community stakeholders and service providers
Documentation & Accountability
- Complete accurate and timely documentation, incident reporting, assessments, and data collection
- Record and report critical incidents according to established protocols
- Maintain confidentiality, professional boundaries, and adherence to Safe Harbour policies and standards
- Support program evaluation, reporting requirements, and continuous quality improvement initiatives
- Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment
Core Competencies
Successful candidates will demonstrate:
- Compassion & Empathy
- Client-Centered Practice
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Risk Reduction Approach
- Crisis Intervention & De-escalation Skills
- Cultural Safety & Humility
- Strong Communication & Active Listening
- Professionalism & Accountability
- Critical Thinking & Decision-Making
- Team Collaboration
- Organization & Time Management
- Ability to Work Independently
- Commitment to Health & Safety
Qualifications & Requirements
Required
- Non-restricted registration in good standing with the Alberta College of Paramedics (ACOP) as a Primary Care Paramedic (PCP)
- Completion of an approved PCP educational program
- Current Basic Cardiac Life Support – Healthcare Provider (BCLS-HCP)
- Valid professional liability insurance
- Valid Class 5 Driver’s License with a clean driving record
- Current Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check
Preferred Experience
- Community outreach, shelter, addictions, or mental health experience
- Experience supporting vulnerable or marginalized populations
- Knowledge of harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and recovery-oriented systems of care
- Experience responding to overdose events and substance-related emergencies
- Familiarity with poverty, homelessness, mental health challenges, and social determinants of health
- Experience working collaboratively with Indigenous communities and culturally diverse populations considered an asset
Knowledge & Abilities
- Knowledge of communicable disease and infection prevention principles
- Ability to employ non-violent crisis intervention and trauma-informed de-escalation techniques
- Ability to assess, prioritize, and respond effectively in rapidly changing environments
- Strong conflict resolution and problem-solving skills
- Ability to work independently while maintaining collaborative team relationships
- Demonstrated professionalism, flexibility, and adaptability
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 and electronic documentation systems
Why Join Safe Harbour?
At Safe Harbour, we believe every individual deserves dignity, safety, compassion, and meaningful opportunities for recovery and wellness.
The Social Diversion Team is helping reshape how communities respond to crisis by creating compassionate alternatives to emergency and enforcement systems. As a PCP with Safe Harbour, you will have the opportunity to combine frontline medical care with outreach, advocacy, and relationship-based support to make a direct and lasting impact in the lives of vulnerable individuals.
If you are passionate about community paramedicine, harm reduction, and helping people move from crisis toward stability and recovery, we encourage you to apply.
Pay: $32.00-$34.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
