Casual Residence Worker, Mental Health (Samara House Upstairs)

ROLE PURPOSE

This position will provide casework and clinical support to residents of Connective’s programs in order to enhance their quality of life, to ensure the orderly and safe operation of the facility, and to maintain the goals of the counselling and/or rehabilitative plans.

HOURS 

 A minimum of 21 shifts (or 7 days). 

7 of these shifts must be classified as either “overnight shifts” (for example, either beginning at 00:00 or 23:00 depending on program operations.

Please note for the purposes of shift exchange, some shifts could start at 00:15 or 23:15)

3 of these shifts (or 1 day) must be over the weekend (Saturday and Sunday)

REPORTING AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Reports and is accountable to the Program Manager of the facility or their designate
• Participates actively in house, staff, and staff/resident meetings
• Participates as a member of the Connective staff team
• Liaises with outside professionals from other agencies or government bodies as required 

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Programs

• Interviews clients to prepare care plans and background information for which confidentiality is required
• Under the general guidance of the Program Manager assumes a primary or key worker role with assigned resident(s)
• Provides input to the Program Manager and/or other staff with regard to the development of appropriate care plans to achieve the residents’ objectives
• Is cognizant of, and works towards the implementation of the care plan established for each resident
• Develops interpersonal therapeutic relationships with psychiatric residents
• Connects clients with health and psychiatric services
• Uses professional judgement to ascertain and to apply appropriate intervention techniques with residents in crisis
• Assists with implementation of Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) therapeutic support under the direction of a Behaviour Interventionist
• Meets with each resident on a routine basis to discuss progress and plan future interventions
• Assists the Program Manager and/or other staff in the identification of potential problems and reports any difficulties
• When assigned, participates in social, recreational, employment, educational, and other programs as appropriate to assist the resident’s case/care plan
• Contributes to the evaluation of the residents’ progress and makes both written and oral reports to be available to the remainder of the staff team
• Maintains client files including statement of goals, case/care plans, summaries, case notes, reviews, and closing reports
• Develops and maintains an in-house resource area containing current information/brochures of programs and services which are available to residents
• Ensure residents are in compliance with the terms of their residency and are aware of the rules of the facility
• Acts as an on-site advocate for each resident
• Provides emotional support and feedback to residents and their families
• As appropriate, supports residents towards integration and healthy functioning within the community
• Acts as a positive role model for clients, providing life skills training and behaviour management as appropriate
• Dispenses and ensures the taking of medications as required
• As necessary, provides transportation and assists residents to attend appointments
• With other residence staff, plans, develops, and delivers in-house programs to address the needs of the residents

Community

• Works with volunteers to support and enhance the goals of the residence programs
• Identifies social, economic, recreational, employment, and educational services in the community that will meet the needs of the client
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team and consult with team psychologists and psychiatrists to develop, implement, maintain, and adjust individualized treatment plans
• Participates constructively and appropriately in short- and long-term planning for the clients of mental health programs
• Maintains effective liaison with other agencies, professionals, government officials and the community in order to contribute to the success of the case/care plan of the resident

Residential

• Supervises the activities of the residence, its residents, and volunteers while on shift including maintaining case notes and the logbook
• Along with the other residence staff, monitors and ensures effective operation of the facility including quality control concerning cleaning equipment, indoor and outdoor maintenance, inventory and food services
• Provides input into meal scheduling and preparation, including food inventory
• Ensures the security of the residence
• As assigned, is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining housekeeping areas and the upkeep of the facility both inside and outside; involves the residents in this process when deemed appropriate
• As assigned, is responsible for the weekly grocery shopping for the residence and involves the residents in this process
• As assigned, assists with the details of the operation of the facility, including but not limited to administrative support
• As assigned, organizes and oversees the preparation of meals and involves the residents in this process
• As necessary, accepts responsibility of being on-call and carrying the residence pager
• As required, accompany residents to appointments and community outings, following the restrictions imposed by the courts/review panels

Other

• Participation in staff and resident/staff meetings
• Assists with the orientation and training of new staff and volunteers
• Other duties may be assigned from time to time

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Functions independently while on shift and adhere to Residence Policy and Procedures
• Works in a high stress environment, often dealing with clients in crisis situations
• Demonstrates a level of physical fitness to effectively carry out the required duties of the program and to meet the operational needs of the residence
• Is available to work all shifts, 7 days per week including day shifts, afternoon shifts, and graveyard shifts
• Provides appropriate personal transportation with required business insurance coverage to enable the movement of the resident around the Lower Mainland as required by the goals of the program
• Is a member of CUPE local 1936-11

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Graduated with a Degree or Diploma with one year related mental health experience
• Experience in the appropriate field and demonstrate a clear ability to respond well in crisis situations
• A clear understanding of Psycho Social Rehabilitation applications
• An understanding of providing service to people with different learning abilities
• Demonstrated experience in an applicable residential setting
• Demonstrated a good working knowledge of the technical details important to the functioning of group residences
• Experience with clients with a history of conflict with the law, developmental disabilities and/or spectrum disorders, interaction with social agencies and experiencing psychiatric/personality disorders
• An awareness of Community Living of British Columbia (the contractor) concerns, laws, and policies related to the specific residence program
• Demonstrated the ability to teach skills and work effectively with others
• Knowledge of theory, principles, and practices in the fields related to the particular residence
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English

REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to successfully complete a Criminal Records Check
• Current Emergency First Aid Certificate (please refer to the Certificates accepted in B.C. - WorkSafeBC)
• Valid Class 5 BC driver’s license
• Personal transportation that is in good repair, insured for business up to $1,000,000 for liability, and which can be used to transport residents

COMPENSATION

As Connective is a unionized environment, the starting wage is $27.53 per hour plus 10.6% in lieu of vacation pay and benefits for casual employees. The wage will increase with every 2,000 hours worked up to a maximum of $31.57 per hour.