Casual Community Living Worker (Ember)

ROLE PURPOSE

This position will provide residential and/or outreach services to clients who are experiencing mental health issues, and/or developmental disability. Residential Community Living Workers will ensure that residents’ physical, emotional, social and medical needs are met.  Additionally, this position assists residents to enhance quality of life with activities of daily living and the development of life skills.

STATUS AND CLASSIFICATION
Union. This position is open to applicants of all genders.

Location

Kamloops, British Columbia

Mornings (0700 – 1500)
Evenings (1500 – 2300)
Overnights (2300 – 0700)

Casual employees must be available for at least 21 shifts per month in which seven are overnight shifts.

If you are working full-time, or if you are a full-time student, we ask you for 15 shifts of availability per month in which five are overnight shifts (this is subject to employer or enrollment proof).

REPORTING AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Reports and is accountable to the Manager of Community Living Services or their designate
• Function as a multi-disciplinary team member
• Liaises with staff and volunteers of community and government agencies as required
• Liaises with the staff, managers and on-call manager of Connective as necessary

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Ensure the needs of individuals referred by the agency’s government partners are identified at admission, and that special attention is given to addressing mental health issues and developmental disabilities through planning and conducting individual and/or group counselling sessions using basic counselling techniques
• Participates in the assessment, goal setting and program planning for individuals living in a residence. Are required to support the individual in successfully completing goals and activities aligned with the Quality-of-Life Indicators
• Provides life skills training such as meal preparation, housekeeping, personal care skills and personal finance and implements individual plans
• Assists residents with activities of daily living such as feeding, lifts, transfers, hygiene, grooming and toileting. This may include transfer of function duties such as gastrostomy feeding, tracheostomy management, and suction and bowel management
• Ensure that the client, while in the community and within Connective’s housing facilities, is adequately supervised and that any increase in risk is addressed promptly through the use of appropriate means of intervention and assistance
• Develop, in conjunction with the Case Management Team, a care plan for each client, addressing the client’s psycho-social-emotional needs and the details regarding how the program will assist in addressing those factors
• Plan, prepares and conducts group or individual counselling sessions using techniques such as active listening, conflict resolution, basic group counselling and basic psycho-educational group methods to resolve the identified problems, needs and risks
• On an ongoing basis, liaise with Case Management Team to monitor each client’s progress and develop strategies towards addressing their care plan
• Assist in conducting program audits and/or evaluations as scheduled by the Agency
• Submit monthly progress reports detailing progress towards the clients care plan
• Each client will meet with the Special Services Worker within 24 hours of referral to the agency.  Within the initial 30-day period, conduct an evaluation of the client, and adjust subsequent frequency of contact requirements, as dictated by the needs of the client and in agreement from CLBC
• Establish a network of appropriate community resources for each client, to ensure community resources are available
• Function as a multi-disciplinary team member in order to assist clients in sustaining levels of clinical and behavioural functioning.  This will include meeting regularly with team members to assist in providing continuity of the care plan
• Where required, monitor the participant’s medication regime as directed by a psychiatrist and report to same.  Assist client to obtain appropriate medical needs
• Administers medication to residents in accordance with established policy
• Performs residence maintenance and housekeeping duties such as laundry, sweeping, mopping floors, mowing lawns, inventory, shopping, cleaning equipment and food services
• Inform client on how to access appropriate community resources and assist in contacting and making use of these resources
• Provide crisis intervention as required, by ensuring immediate access to medical services, providing counselling or working with other community professionals to meet client’s needs
• Ensure that the client maintains contact with community agencies by determining if clients have attended appointments/commitments as required
• As dictated by each client’s needs and abilities, participate in the implementation and facilitation of programming that will allow each client to develop life skills such as nutrition and food preparation, banking, shopping, and recreational and social opportunities
• Programming which exists in the community will be accessed to the greatest extent possible, to ensure clients develop an appropriate community support network
• Provides skill building in areas such as parenting skills, anger management and self-management techniques
• Participate with clients in activities to stimulate appropriate socialization behaviours
• As required, identify options and make participant referrals to agencies or persons offering adequate, safe and affordable housing
• Interact with the client’s family and friends to involve their personal supports as part of the program
• Effectively utilize various agency systems and technology platforms
• Perform other related duties as and when required

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Function independently, while remaining a crucial member of the support team
• Adhere to Connective’s policies and procedures
• Be available to work flexible hours during the daytime, evenings, and weekends based on operational needs and program requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

• One (1) year related experience working with clients experiencing mental health issues and/or developmental disabilities
• Possess a diploma in a related Human/Social Service field
• Experience with harm reduction approach is an asset
• Or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience

REQUIREMENTS

• Criminal Records Checks
• Emergency First Aid (Certificates accepted in B.C. - WorkSafeBC)
• Class 5 driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle
• Proof of vaccination for communicable diseases may be required as mandated by Government, Health Authority, and/or funder requirements.

COMPENSATION

As Connective is a unionized environment, the starting wage is $27.54 per hour plus benefits as per the collective agreement. The wage will increase with every 2,000 hours worked up to a maximum of $31.61 per hour.