Casual Mental Health Worker- Coordinator Backfill

PHS Community Services Society (PHS) is looking for a Casual Mental Health Workers to work in a 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 RESIDENT COORDINATOR POSITION WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY 8AM-8PM, 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.

Flexible scheduling: Scheduling is completed monthly, with the opportunity to take additional hours at shorter notice throughout the scheduling period, if it suits you.

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.

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

• Supervises staff by performing duties such as assigning work, providing feedback and evaluation, determining training requirements, orienting new staff, and maintaining timekeeping and attendance records.
• Performs intake process with residents or participants, provides orientation of the site, and makes referrals to other programs as required.
• Contributes to a collaborative working relationship and communication between internal/external stakeholders to; develop, manage and evaluate resident/participant care plans. Assists in the preparation of budgets for assigned programs and/or services, monitors approved budgeted expenditures, and maintains related records and reports.
• Advocates for clients by problem solving in areas such as financial assistance, accessing community resources, and obtaining volunteer placements.
• Ensures compliance with policies and procedures for medication administration and storage, and ensures all medication sheets are completed correctly.
• Ensures the maintenance, cleanliness, and safety of the residence. Contacts outside contractors for maintenance work as directed. Ensures the residence’s inventory of supplies is maintained by performing duties such as contacting outside suppliers and following up on discrepancies.
• Provides crisis intervention services in the event of an overdose, responding to complex emergency situations and acting as a first responder to the endangered individual(s). This will include but not be limited to: using pain stimulation to rouse clients, assessing oxygen levels and heart rate, prepping and administering Naloxone via syringe, calling emergency services, monitoring for re-occurring overdose, etc. Extremely strong knowledge of current street drugs (including heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and illicit alcohol as well as others) and their presentation in individuals experiencing overdose symptoms is required.
• Responsible for coordinating guest’s visitors in and out of the site, maintaining lists of no-longer allowed visitors and maintaining resident’s frequent guest lists in accordance with site-specific policies and procedures.
• Maintains participants administrative records; health and care plans, financial/banking, rent collection, daily shift reports and checklists.
• Reviews the logs and responds to any outstanding concerns from the previous shifts, as well as deals with issues as they arise. Takes responsibility for making sure that all necessary tasks are completed throughout the day in an organized and effective manner.
• Reviews and maintains relevant documentation such as HIFIS, internal OD tracker, resident/participant files in Arcori, and other related data collection.
• Listens and responds to community concerns, questions and requests in a manner that conveys respect. Responsible for de-escalating adverse situations that arise, and reports these incidents to management.
• 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.
• Must have previous experience (two years minimum) working with marginalized populations, substance use and misuse, addictions, healthcare, and mental health.
• Must have excellent de-escalation skills and a proven ability to deal with crisis intervention and conflict resolution.
• Must have good coping abilities/strategies.
• Must have good listening skills (non-judgmental, patient, and non-controlling).
• Must have excellent communication skills, and a clear ability to discuss issues arising amongst the residents in a professional manner.
• Must have knowledge and a practical understanding of Harm Reduction.
• Must be able to work well with people who pose uniquely challenging behaviour.
• Must have excellent organizational skills.
• Mac OS and Microsoft Office 365 Suite proficiency required.
• WCB Level One First Aid and CPR. Valid driver’s license preferred.
• Valid Criminal Record Check for working with Vulnerable Adults and Children required.

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. DURING TEMPORARY RESIDENCE COORDINATOR POSITION, THE WAGE WILL BE $32.49 P/H.

Schedule: Temporary schedule of Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 8AM-8PM 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 Residence Coordinator. Can you commit to a Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 8AM-8PM schedule until return of incumbent?

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

• First Aid Certification (preferred)

Work Location: In person