Job Description

PHS Community Services Society (PHS) is looking for a Casual Mental Health Worker to work in supportive housing and sheltering in Victoria.

PLEASE NOTE, THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE FOR THIS POSITION WILL BE REQUIRED TO WORK IN A TEMPORARY BACKFILL ROLE FOR A SUPPORTIVE HOUSING HOME SUPPORT POSITION MONDAY-THURSDAY (8AM-6PM MON-WED, 8AM-530PM THURS), UNTIL RETURN OF INCUMBENT!

Mental Health Workers are responsible for providing support services, advocacy, and housing for those who are: persons with a mental health diagnosis, persons with physical disabilities and/or chronic disease such as HIV/AIDS, persons with a history of criminal activity and/or involvement in the criminal justice system, persons who engage in active alcohol, drug, and/or IV drug use, persons with any combination of the above, or other persons in need of service. Working as a collaborative team, with Management, Coordinators and external agencies to develop, implement and review of individual resident/participant case plans. Mental Health workers provide many daily supports including overseeing medication administration, harm reduction, recreational activities, financial administration, wound care & first aid, safety and security measures, and crisis intervention. This position acts as a first responder in medical interventions including overdose response, medical emergencies, and instances of death.

PHS is expanding the casual pool due to ongoing growth, opening new residential units and support programs. We're looking for people who work hard, think on their feet, but still operate seamlessly as part of a team.

Society Philosophy

The PHS attempts to promote, develop, and manage supportive affordable housing and community services for individuals who are poorly served elsewhere in the community due to their physical health, mental health, behaviour, substance use, forensic history or for those who are homeless. The Society aims to foster a sense of community within the PHS Community Services Society's programs and projects, by encouraging its members to be accepting of and offer support to one another, and: strive to support each person to function at the level determined by that person; support each person to determine for themselves the time, place, course, and method of therapeutic treatment, if any; foster an environment which accepts, believes in, forgives, and looks to the good in each person.

Why work here?

Working at PHS will offer you the opportunity to thrive in a fast-growing and exciting organization, committed to providing housing, service and advocacy to people in need. PHS is recognized as North American leaders in low barrier housing and harm reduction services. We are innovators, highly regarded across the sector. We operate as a series of well-resourced, experienced, multi-disciplinary teams. You will be supported, and your input will be sought and respected by your colleagues.

PHS hires from within. Mental Health Worker roles provide foundational skills - many managers and senior staff running housing and programs formerly worked in frontline positions.

It's a CUPE 5536 union position, overnight and weekend premiums apply, access to our family assistance program available.

Responsibilities

Mental Health Worker

job includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Provides physical, social, emotional, basic life skills, and behaviour management support to participants including; accompanying residents to appointments, coordinating transportation, harm reduction initiatives, personal hygiene and basic wound care, home support, or assisting with practical problems such as social assistance applications, housing waitlists and financial administration using strong judgement to create positive outcomes. Safety and security measures, and wellness checks. Complies with the policies for medication administration and storage. Ensures that all the medication sheets are filled in accurately independently of health care professionals. Uses analytical abilities to observe and respond to participants needs and attempt to mitigate potential emergency situations. Being knowledgeable that certain behaviours may be indicative of de-compensating behaviour. Uses logs, and care plans to document observations and provide input on appropriate courses of action. Responsible for the management of the physical needs of buildings; cleaning and maintenance, cleaning of resident rooms in accordance with initiatives set out by the Project Manager, and room clean-outs and preparation for new resident arrivals. Listens and responds to participants concerns, questions and requests in a manner that conveys respect. Responsible for de-escalating hostile interactions between tenants. Escalates to higher authorities as necessary. Acting as the first to respond in medical interventions including overdose response and serious medical emergencies.

Home Support

job includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Responsible for the cleaning of resident rooms in accordance with initiatives set out by the Project / Programs Operations Manager. Follows and maintains the weekly list of room-cleaning priorities as assigned by Project/Programs Operations Manager. Follows the de-cluttering project plan to complete de-hoarding, deep cleaning, and room remediation (eg: patching and painting). Responsible for readying vacated units in preparation for new residents, including de-hoarding, cleaning, room remediation (eg: patching and painting), and final setup (eg: furniture, bedding, welcome packages). Performs regular upkeep of resident rooms. Sanitizes resident rooms to reduce the development or spread of illness/infectious disease. Provides physical, social, emotional, basic life skills to participants including home support, personal hygiene, and harm reduction initiatives. Updates and participates in developing resident care plans. Maintains a daily report in the online logs of Home Support tasks that have been completed. Assists with various tasks associated with transitions of residency: orientation of new tenants, moving, connection with services, assessing needs, and collection of personal information on occasion. Listens and responds to resident concerns, questions and requests in a manner that conveys respect. Responsible for de-escalating hostile interactions between tenants. Escalates to the appropriate Project / Programs Operations Manager. Provides crisis intervention services in the event of overdose to the endangered individual(s). This will include but not be limited to prepping and administering Naloxone, calling emergency services, monitoring for re-occurring overdose. Reports emergency events, i.e., death, fire, etc. to the appropriate Project / Programs Operations Manager immediately. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education and experience

Different types of experiences are valued at PHS, including volunteer and educational experience. The ideal candidate for this role has the following qualifications and skills:

Must have a minimum of a diploma in a relevant area, or equivalent combination of education, experience, and training. Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position. Lift and carry up to 50 lbs. at waist level. Lift and hold up to 20 lbs. overhead. Able to safely handle chemicals and cleaning supplies. Able to work safely in rooms that may have pests and/or biohazardous materials. Ability to operate related equipment. Ability to work independently and in cooperation with others. Ability to organize and prioritize. Ability to establish and maintain rapport with residents. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. Conflict resolution and crisis intervention skills. Relevant courses or training in mental health/addictions support. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite. Must have valid First Aid and CPR "C" certification. Must pass Criminal Records Check.
An equal combination of education, training and experience is acceptable.

Terms of employment

Salary: $31.56 p/h plus 10 percent in lieu of benefits; overnight and weekend premiums applied.

Schedule: Temporary schedule of Monday to Thursday (8AM-6PM Mon-Wed, 8AM-5:30PM Thur) until return of incumbent, then will be added to the Casual Mental Health Worker pool with no set schedule.

This is a unionized position under CUPE 5536.

Successful applicants will be required to complete a criminal records check.

PHS strives to create an inclusive and welcoming workplace that reflects the community we serve. We seek a diversity of skills, knowledge, backgrounds, and professional and lived experience in our staff. We particularly encourage applications from Indigenous individuals.

How to apply

Please include a cover letter identifying the qualities and competencies that would make you a suitable candidate.

Job Type: Casual

Pay: From $31.56 per hour

Benefits:

Employee assistance program Flexible schedule On-site parking Wellness program
Ability to commute/relocate:

Victoria, BC: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
Application question(s):

Are you familiar with Harm Reduction philosophy? This is a Casual Mental Health Worker position with a temporary backfill for a Home Support Worker. Can you commit to a Monday to Thursday (8AM-6PM Mon-Wed, 8AM-5:30PM Thurs) schedule until return of incumbent?
Education:

Bachelor's Degree (preferred)
Licence/Certification:

First Aid Certification (preferred)
Work Location: In person