Mental Health Worker/Cook- Part Time Weekends

PHS Community Services Society (PHS) is hiring a Mental Health Worker/Cook Position for a modular supportive housing building, Saturday and Sunday 8AM-8PM (22 hours/week)!

Would you enjoy working with community in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside? Are you interested in a job where you can make an impact on the well-being of others? If this is you, PHS invites you to apply for the role of Mental Health Worker/Cook.

The Cook/Mental Health Worker position requires both Cook and Mental Health Worker responsibilities. Mental Health Workers (MHW) 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. MHW’s provides daily supports including overseeing medication administration, harm reduction, recreational activities, financial administration, wound care and first aid, safety and security measures, crisis intervention, arranging and participating in cultural and recreational events. This position acts as a first responder in medical interventions including overdose response, medical emergencies, and instances of death.

In the Cook/MHW position, the Food Program plays a crucial role in promoting a healthy sense of belonging. Residents of the DTES and Victoria are underfed and malnourished. It is essential that the Food Program staff give close attention to proper food preparation and portioning, while also being attention to specific dietary requirements or restrictions. The Food Program reflects PHS’s commitment to providing therapeutic pre-employment volunteer opportunities to residents of the DTES and Victoria. Peer Volunteers are an important part of the Food Program team. All cook positions have a responsibility to work with Peer Volunteers to support them in their volunteer experience.

About PHS

PHS Community Services Society provides housing, harm reduction, health promotion and health care to vulnerable communities. Our supportive housing and low barrier programs provide refuge, services and advocacy for those who are homeless or poorly served elsewhere due to their physical health, mental health, behaviour, substance use, or involvement with the criminal justice system. Our work is grounded in honouring self-determination and providing as much choice of therapeutic treatments as possible within a trauma-informed continuum of care. We foster an environment which accepts and looks to the good in each member. PHS is a renowned innovator and a leader in harm reduction and health care for marginalized communities. PHS Housing actively seeks to find an alternative to eviction in every situation.

Responsibilities for the role include (but are not limited to):

Mental Health Worker Duties:

• Contributes to a collaborative working relationship and communication between internal/external stakeholders to; develop, manage and evaluate participant care plans, which promotes cooperative goal achievement considering client needs first, and contributes to an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect.

-Responsible for effective advocacy with a strong level of judgement and analysis in order to support long term strategies, effectively address the health and housing issues of participants, and increase capacity of the PHS and local community to meet their needs.

• 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.

• Facilitates opportunities for participants relating to education, recreation, culture, recovery and counseling. Liaises with other sites and community partners to create opportunities for further community involvement in a discerning manner.

• Fosters a sense of community to provide the support and information necessary to help participants build self-esteem and develop decision-making skills, through role modeling and other techniques.

• Provides crisis intervention services in the event of 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 reoccurring 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.

• Complies with the policies for medication administration and storage. Ensures that all the medication sheets are filled in accurately independently of health care professionals.

• Maintains accurate computerized and paper records in accordance with established procedures and policies; prepares and maintains statistical information, correspondence, reports and other documentation.

• Maintains participants administrative records; health and care plans. financial/banking, rent collection, daily shift reports and checklists.

• Ensures seamless flow throughout the continuum of care, referral to services and exploration of new partnerships to improve participants quality of life.

• Assists with various tasks associated with transitions of residency: orientation of new participants, moving, tenant advocacy, connection with services, setting up homecare, assessing needs, collection of personal information, completing intakes, and submitting Intent to Rent forms.

• 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 provides input on appropriate courses of action.

• 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.

• Monitors the security and safety of the residents by completing the daily room check, ensuring all rooms are checked daily and signed off, controlling traffic in and out of projects/programs, keeping the guest list current, and reporting any potential safety concerns.

• Responsible for the managing the physical needs of buildings; cleaning and maintenance.

Cook Duties:

• Responsible for meal preparation and providing coffee service for residents.

• Provides creative menu planning and cooking methods for preparing and serving food.

• Ability to ensure food quantities and portion sizes are appropriate.

• Maintains the kitchen including menu planning, ordering, receiving, and safe storage of meats, produce and staples.

• Checks food orders for completeness and follows inventory control procedures for tracking and storing.

• Keeps all cooking spaces and kitchen equipment clean, maintained and well organized.

• Mentors and supervises Peer Volunteers in the Food Program.

• Works within the Food Program budget.

• Demonstrates safe food handling protocols, procedures while preparing and serving food.

• Ensures adherence to accreditation, regulatory, and safety standards are met at all times (Health Canada, WorkSafe BC, Food Safe, PHS Policies etc.).

• Communicates workplace issues to manager in a cogent and timely manner

Education and experience required:

- Must have two years of experience as a cook in a commercial setting

- valid First Aid & CPR certification

- valid FoodSafe certification

• Education in Social Services or related field

• Must demonstrate core competencies of the PHS mandate and approach to providing clientcentered care under a harm reduction model. Knowledge of mental health diagnoses and concurrent disorders

• Strong communication skills; ability to work with multiple stakeholders; PHS staff, residents, clients, peer volunteers and external agencies

• Excellent conflict de-escalation skills that consider a variety of factors including racial triggers, mental health and addiction issues

• Familiarity with a variety of drug overdose symptoms and appropriate protocols and procedures

• Sound judgment, solutions focused individual with excellent problem-solving skills

• Excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills in a constantly changing and high-pressure environment

• Knowledge of WorkSafe BC / OHS programs & procedures and critical incident reporting

Keeps up to date with staff information bulletins; attends staff meetings and in-services • Current Food Safe Certificate, CPR, First Aid, Narcan and Overdose Management training

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

SCHEDULE: Saturday & Sunday 8:00AM-8:00PM (22 hours/week)

JOB TITLE: Cook/Mental Health Worker

CLASSIFICATION: SW2 - Support Worker 2

COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT: Community Subsector Association (CBA)

UNION: CUPE 5536

DEPARTMENT: Operations

REPORTING TO: Food Program Manager and Project Operations Manager

GRID: 34

HSCIS NO.: 81502

Valued Benefits:
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 all in need.

Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

Pay: From $31.56 per hour

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Dental care
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Paid time off
• Vision care

Application question(s):

• Are you familiar with the harm reduction philosophy?

Experience:

• Cooking: 2 years (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

• FoodSafe Certification and First Aid/CPR? (preferred)

Work Location: In person