Job Description

PHS Community Services Society (PHS) is hiring a Mental Health Worker!

SCHEDULE: Saturday from 7:00AM to 7:00PM, Sunday and Monday from 8:00AM to 8:00PM {33 hours/week}. Must be available for a 4 day paid training that runs Tuesday-Friday during the day.

Mental Health Workers are the backbone of PHS. They are embedded within our housing projects and programs to support residents and participants with immediate, practical solutions to day-to-day needs. These positions acts as the first to respond in medical interventions including overdose response. We're looking for people who work hard, think on their feet, but still operate seamlessly as part of a team.

Society Philosophy

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 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 these positions.

It's a CUPE 5536 union position. Overnight and weekend premiums apply.

Responsibilities

Provides physical, social, emotional, basic life skills, and behavior 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. Medication administration and storage. Maintains participants administrative records; health and care plans, financial/banking, rent collection, daily shift reports and checklists. Safety and security measures, and wellness checks. 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. General cleaning duties for the project or program. 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. other duties as required.

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:

Current First Aid and CPR certification is required.

1 - 2 years' experience working with marginalized populations.

Must bring a non-judgmental, compassionate and anti-oppressive, harm reduction approach.

An equal combination of education, training and experience is acceptable.

Terms of employment

Hours

: Saturday 7:00AM to 7:00PM, Sunday-Monday 8:00AM to 8:00PM (33 hours/week)

*please note, mandatory, paid training for this position will be Tuesday-Friday during the day

Wage

: $31.56 p/h; overnight and weekend premiums apply ($2.50 p/h for overnight shifts, $0.50 p/h for weekend shifts).

Benefits

: 100% employer paid health benefits after completed probationary period.

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 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: Part-time

Pay: $31.56 per hour

Benefits:

Casual dress Dental care Extended health care Paid time off Wellness program
Ability to commute/relocate:

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

Are you familiar with the harm reduction philosophy? The schedule for this position is Saturday 7AM-7PM and Sunday to Monday 8AM-8PM; can you work this set schedule?
Licence/Certification:

First Aid/CPR Certification (preferred)
Work Location: In person