Job Description

Diversity Statement

C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R. is looking for qualified candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of this program and our organization. We seek to create opportunities for women, visible minorities, indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ2S communities.

Vaccination Policy:

C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R. will require all new staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof of vaccination status before the first day of employment. For this purpose, an individual is defined as fully immunized equal or greater than 14 days after receiving their second dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series or their first dose of a one-dose COVID-19 vaccine series that is approved by Health Canada.

This is not a remote-work from home position. Please refer to Working Conditions for more information.

Position Summary:

The Community Support Worker (C.S.W) provides mental health and housing supports, promoting and maintaining stability for clients in the Supportive Housing Program. In addition, C.S.W.s provide on-going programming and support in various domains for the residents of our residential settings. The C.S.W. carries out duties as a member of an inter-disciplinary mental health team, including case managers, housing administration workers, and maintenance and cleaners, and may also provide support to other community support service providers. The C.S.W. provides individualized support and intervention to clients in both their homes and in the community.

This is not a remote-work from home position. See Working Conditions for more details.

Key Responsibilities

1. Client Supports

• Assist clients to implement their service plans and goals
• Provide assistance to clients related to professional appointments
• Assist individuals in moving to alternate or initial housing as required
• Assist clients with A.D.L.'s, i.e. cooking, hygiene, cleaning, grocery shopping, laundry, etc., in order to maintain their housing and a safe living environment for individuals who reside in Supportive Housing
• Assist clients with medication compliance, including support, teaching, reminding, and monitoring of medication

• Assist clients with social skill building, outings, and social recreation
• Provide timely communication for liaison and service planning with case managers, housing administration, maintenance and intake/brief services staff, or with external service providers as appropriate

• Complete timely and accurate documentation in accordance with policies and procedures
• Transition clients towards discharge from other supports
• Follow up post discharge to maintain stability
• Where there is no case manager, assists individuals to develop and utilize their informal support networks, and collaborates with other service providers so that various supports are coordinated
• Provide group living supports at residential sites, such as Summit House, Harrison House
• Provide retention supports/monitoring of clients in C.M.H.A. housing, through wellness checks at established time frames
• Maintains professional conduct, boundaries, and ethical standards, acting as ambassador of C.M.H.A.

2. Harrison House Housing Support

• Process referrals for Harrison House, including interviewing applicants and facilitating the move-in and move-out processes
• Daily support of both building and tenant needs, including identifying when maintenance work is required, making recommendations for purchases, and purchasing items for Harrison House, as required
• Develop and facilitate psycho-educational programming for tenants
• Oversee medication safety issues, property and client safety
• Provide individual coaching and life skills support
• Provide social recreation and activation programming
• Support tenants with day to day issues and concerns related to mental health

3. Housing Retention Supports

• Assist in the transition of clients from case management to a less intensive model of care, with a focus on housing retention. This includes a biannual needs assessment utilizing the Ontario Common Assessment of Need (O.C.A.N.).
• Provide regular check-in support, (in person or by phone) to monitor housing and mental health stability
• Assist clients with connecting to appropriate supports as required

4. Documentation

• Document and maintain electronic client records, (such as intake and assessment forms, progress notes, correspondence, consents, database files)
• Report and maintain program-related statistical data
• Complete administrative tasks including: timesheets, expense reports, vacation requests
• Complete O.C.A.N. assessments and other required documents in program and agency policies and procedures and standards

5. Other Activities

• Work independently and as part of inter-disciplinary team as well as with community partners to provide seamless coordinated services through strong interpersonal and collaborative skills

6. Performance Management and Professional Development

• Participate cooperatively in the agency performance management process/system
• Stay current on relevant legislation and best practices, current research, policies and procedures
• Participate in ongoing professional development and mandatory training
• Actively engage and participate in supervisory process

7. Client Safety

Adhere to C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R. client safety programs including program policies as well as infection control and prevention procedures. In partnership with clients, family members, and fellow staff, maintain open lines of communication to assist the organization in identifying and achieving quality outcomes for client safety. Report client safety incidents and suggested improvements to manager or delegate.

8. Health and Safety - Worker Responsibilities

• Work in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, applicable regulations and all organizational health and safety requirements and procedures to ensure the health and safety of clients, staff/colleagues, volunteers and students
• Actively participate in workplace, departmental and job-specific health and safety orientation, education and training
• Use or wear any equipment, protective devices or clothing required by the employer
• Operate any equipment and work in a way that does not endanger self or any other worker
• Comply with established policies, procedure and work practices regarding health and safety
• Identify and report workplace and job hazards, defects and contraventions of the Act to the supervisor or employer
• Report health and safety problems to the supervisor or employer
• Notify the supervisor if clarification of a policy, procedure or safe work practice is needed
• Use initiative to reduce risk and apply discretion to solve problems, within scope of authority
• Work co-operatively with co-workers, supervisor, Joint Health and Safety Committee members and others

9. Other Duties as Assigned

• Attend and participate in team/staff meetings, and all-staff meetings as required
• Participate in agency quality improvement activities, such as accreditation projects, quality improvement committee work, special events, etc.
• Participate in quality improvement activities at the team/program level
• Participate in external committees as required
• Duties may change from time to time

Requirements of the Position * A. Education and Training

Successful completion of post-secondary education (diploma or degree) in the social/health science or human services discipline.

We recognize that mandatory training before hire is an asset, however, successful completion of the training applicable to this role shall be requirements for continued employment in this position.

Health and Safety Training (including but not limited to the following):

o Globally Harmonized System (previously W.H.M.I.S.)

o Infection, Prevention & Control

o Workplace Violence

o Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act

• Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (A.S.I.S.T.)
• Non Violent Crisis Intervention (N.C.V.I.)
• Ontario Common Assessment of Need (O.C.A.N).
• Client Record Management System (C.R.M.S.)
• First Aid/Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation (C.P.R.)

Assets with regard to this position:

Formal education in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Trauma-Informed Care, and/or Concurrent Disorders is preferred.

B. Related and Relevant Experience

Mandatory Experience

• Minimum of one year related experience in the mental health, supportive housing or human services field
• Demonstrated knowledge of the relevant legislation pertaining to supportive housing and landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain a professional attitude, rational detachment and a problem-solving approach while working with sometimes challenging clients and in stressful situations
• Excellent organizational skills; demonstrated ability to self-manage time and multiple tasks
• Superior skills in communication, advocacy on behalf of clients, collaboration with inter-professional teams, consultation with professional colleagues
• Solid clinical and therapeutic assessment and intervention skills
• Proven ability to work independently and demonstrate sound clinical judgment with respect to complex client situations
• Excellent interpersonal skills, flexible, and works effectively at an individual, program and system level
• Demonstrated ability to work in clients' living and social environments
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Experience transporting clients in personal vehicle
• Demonstrated knowledge of computer applications (Microsoft Outlook, Word, databases)

Preferred Experience

• Experience working in a residential setting

Competencies

Refer to C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R Competency Matrix

Other

• Valid driver's license
• Automobile in good repair and insurance coverage as required by agency policy
• Satisfactory police records search and vulnerable sector screening
• Satisfactory references

Working Conditions

• Work in a residential/group home setting and in the community, including in-home visiting
• Work directly with individuals living in poverty who live with a with serious mental illness and/or dual diagnosis and/or addictions
• Work directly with individuals living with serious mental illness and/or dual diagnosis and/or addictions, individuals who are experiencing emotional and/or mental health issues and are working towards recovery
• Work directly with individuals experiencing crisis including, emotional, serious mental illness and/or dual diagnosis and/or addictions
• Typically work regular daytime hours Monday to Friday according to agency policy and occasional times outside of regular hours to meet program or client needs.
• Transport clients in personal vehicle
• Work environment may consist of noise, odours, heat, cold, dirt, oil, chemical fumes, severe weather, bodily fluids