My Practicum at The Needle Exchange
For the final stretch of my education in Seattle Central College's Associates program, I worked six months downtown Seattle at The Needle Exchange for a field practicum. My Associates Degree is in Social and Human Services, including a certificate in Substance Use Disorder. As my path unfolds before me, it has lead me into the Harm Reduction arena. Personally, I find it very valuable to reach out to people exactly where they are under no pretenses of where they should be. People should not have to qualify to have their humanity valued. One of the best ways I can embody this position is in the Harm Reduction model. Yet, to do the most good a healthy professionalism is required. This paper is about how I've become more professional as a result of my field practicum experience at King County Public Health's The Needle Exchange, and some things I've learned supporting my new sense of professionalism. And, simply some things I've learned in general.
I think the first place I could go is the tendency I have to not take my experience of life, or myself, too seriously. I always keep a comedic and playful mind. That's how I understand my world. Yet, working six months at The Needle Exchange has instilled in me the ability to keep a healthy, fun countenance, but not let it get in the way of professional conduct. I have a tendency to laugh and be joyful and make playful remarks. Although, if left unrestrained, those expressions could compromise professionalism. I'm not sure there's a way to keep a good balance without practice in the field, and a few trial and errors. It has been invaluable for me to learn how to present professionally while still keeping my own personal, fun and loving, internal integrity.
Another area that has been invaluable has been learning to work with a staff in close quarters; a professional staff whose objective is direct service to a particular population. Learning the ebbs and flows, and how to synchronize and get into a rhythm to serve a population that is not very organized, has been a wonderful learning experience. A learning experience that is very unique to The Needle Exchange's environment. Yet, the adaptability I acquired can be adopted and applied to other environments. Now, I'm more adaptably pliable.
Furthermore, I learned a tremendous amount about the Harm Reduction discipline. The standard on how to make safe use supplies, and where the materials come from. Some of the history of Harm Reduction, in general. Now, I can apply what I've learned going into a wide variety of environments where Substance Use Disorder is being treated with a Harm Reduction approach. This has supplemented and enhanced my professional ability to present and serve the same population at the Health through Housing (HtH) Supportive Residential sites that I currently perform outreach at, for Hopelink and King County Metro.
Some additional things I've learned apply to public sector spending practices. In my previous career, most of my work experience was in private industry, such as commercial fishing vessels. My practicum at The Needle Exchange, under King Count Public Health authority, provided me an excellent contrast and example of how funds flow in the public sector. Giving me a much better context and example of what to expect when working with publicly funded, government, human services agencies.
All in all, I am now more professionally suited to work in the Human Services arena. I've been able to put a professional edge on my conduct while working with a population I'm passionate about reaching. It is my perception that this society lacks the profound insight as to the value and necessity of helping those most marginalized and ostracized. Then, where's the bottom? Everybody's security relies on raising the bottom floor, for a variety of reasons. Furthermore, as Gabor Maté puts it in his book, "In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction," "No society can understand itself without looking at its shadow side." (2008) But, to go into these arena's and be of proper service requires an impeccable professionalism. Thanks to my time at The Needle Exchange, I'm now better prepared to be of proper service.
Ryan Kincheloe
June 1st, 2025