Psychosocial Support Worker Full Time
King William Program 253 King William St. Hamilton ON
24 units of Specialized Supportive Housing
Salary: $45900$54600
Position Description:Reporting the Program Supervisor as Psychosocial Support Worker you will come alongside tenants who have experiencedmental health concerns and/or substance use to optimize housing stability. Using a service plan you will offer support services and assist tenants to learn skill sets needed for independent living to flourish within the community. Engage in a collaborative assessment process of tenants progress helping them achieve their social inclusion and community development goals focusing on purposefilled planning and intervene in crisis situations. As part of an interdisciplinary team you will also enhance community engagement tenantled initiatives and develop a safe environment for our tenants to thrive.This position will require a high level of resilience and willingness to work in close proximity to challenging situations.
As this program will be supporting tenants from Black and racialized communities we are seeking a Psychosocial Support Worker who selfidentifies as a visible minority or Black understanding the challenges faced by the BIPOC community Black Indigenous and People of Color).
What matters to youBeing in a work culture that operates out of their core values of DIGNITY LOVE and HOPE embracing diversity promoting equality and inclusion. A place that sees you as a LEADER contributing your individuality to champion the vision of creating communities that TRANSFORM lives.
About Indwell: Founded in 1974 our Christian charity continues to thrive and grow exponentially as we serve people impacted by poverty and homelessness through our vision of HOPE and HOMES for All. We are the fastest growing developer in Ontario creating affordable high quality efficient housing communities coupled with supportive programs to over 1200 tenants to meet their needs of health wellness and belonging. To learn more go to: indwell/ourmodel
Hours of Work:40 hours per week. The program operates 7 days a week including public holidays. Flexibility is required to meet program needs which will include evening and weekend hours. Participation in the oncall schedule rotation is required to support the residents and each other on the team. The oncall rotation consists of carrying a work cell phone 24/7 for one week at a time responding to urgent needs.
WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING:
- Attend trainings on recovery; psychiatric rehabilitation trauma supported employment practices substance use and cultural competency.Keep apprised of new research and developments in these areas through journals web sites andliteraturetotransfer knowledge to the team and tenants in the most effective manner available.
- Assist tenants in gaining access to needed psychiatric medical social residential financial and other services appropriate for the individual.Actively engage tenants in services including visitsappointments programming and activities within the community.
- Connect tenants to community resources and peer supports to promote community integration and inclusion. Provide education on available treatment or support models available in the community completing referrals when needed and preparing individuals for such connections.
- Ensure all required documentation is completed in a timely comprehensive and legible manner and that health records are protected.
- Consult and collaborate with all team members on a regular basis. The goal of the Psychosocial Support Worker role is to holistically support a tenant within an interdisciplinaryteam. Therefore team approaches should always be considered.
- Complete required assessment tools according to appropriate timelines.
- Coordinate lead and/or contribute to service planning for tenants.
- Take responsibility for a primary case load under the supervision ofProgram Supervisor or Program Manager.
Psychosocial Support Duties:
- Assisttenantsin developing and practicing the skills definedin their service plansin consultation with tenant and interdisciplinary team.This may include accompanyingtenantsto appointments leisure activities or other activities of interest including religiouseducationalor vocational opportunities to provide support and encouragement.
- Providing supportwithidentifying early warning signs of mental health decline developing coping crisis and safety plans and developing and facilitating psychoeducational selfhelp groups through a biopsychosocial and psychosocial rehabilitation lens:facilitating tenants learning of coping skills to help handle stressful situations / environments and developing resources that reduce future stressors.
- Championing the importance of skill development as part of an interdisciplinary team. This involves coming alongside the tenant in theirgoals; coachingindependent living skillscoaching through appointment coordination maximizing abilities to promote community independence encourage tenants in maintaining good personal hygiene selfconfidenceand work with their social inclusion goals.
- Strive to help reduce bias and stigma while fosteringsocial inclusionwithin program communities through program development and implementation.
- Assist tenants to build relationships with external partners and supports. Facilitate referrals as needed to connect tenants to clubsemploymentvocation programs and more.Focused onInformal partnershipsandinterest groups the role will include supporting the tenant through participation coordination or other levels of support to assist withsocial inclusion in theexternal community. Coaching tenants to independently participate in their chosen communities.
- Supportwill alsoaddress relationships with family friends neighbours and coworkers. Examples of this could include conflict resolution education and coaching around how to be a good neighbour.
- Participate in quality improvement and data gathering as assigned.Consult on effective service plan and assessment tool development when necessary.
- Monitor review and update the tenants support plans on a scheduled basis and revise the plan as necessary ensuring flexibility to meet the tenants needs.
- Fostertenantled initiativeswithin the program toencourageinclusion and purpose for tenantsand the Indwell community.
- Educate tenants onconflict resolutiontechniquesthat will develop skills for neighbour conflictsand further social inclusion within theIndwell program and largercommunity.Working with tenants to improve the capacity of the community so thatit becomes physically mentallyhealthierand a betterprepared community.
- Develop initiatives programming and support mechanisms to promote thevalue of safetywithin a community for tenants and for staff.
WHAT YOU WILL BE BRING:
- Degree or diploma in a related field or equivalent and related experience. Lived experience valued.
- Experience working in mental health and/or addictions is beneficial with harm reduction approaches to substance use
- Demonstrated ongoing learning and experience around supporting diverse individuals and communities (i.e. cultural safety antiracist and antioppressive practice etc.
- Experience working within a case management framework with individuals with serious mental illness substance use or other special needs
- A client centered approach using traumainformed strategies to support tenants
- A warm sensitive and caring approach with a genuine interest in supporting a diverse population of people living with mental illness
- Strong communication listening interview and assessment skills as well as critical thinking and problemsolving abilities
- Effective crisis intervention and conflict management skills
- Ability to work effectively in a high stress environment work independently be flexible organized responsible and take initiative
- Excellent written verbal time management and organizational skills
- A commitment to interpersonal collaborative teamwork care and continuous professional development
- Familiarity with SPDAT/ the Ontario Common Assessment of Need is an asset
We want you to thrive:
- Vacation: 3 weeks paid 15 days) with 8 HEAL days (sick and personal appointments) per year
- Extensive Benefits paid: Extended health 100 medication coverage some exceptions may apply) dental and vision care. Life Insurance and long term disability
- Employee Assistance Program primary care and professional consulting services
- Group RRSP: Indwells contributes 5 of salary
- New Staff Orientation Days
- Professional and Personal Development annual Leadership Conference (themed with guest speaker) Spiritual Ranch Retreat reflection and recharge with various outdoor activities). Clifton Strengths Finder Assessment facilitated by People Developer for mentoring opportunities Lunch and Learn Webinars Indigenous Cultural Competency and 2SLGBTQ Awareness. NonViolent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) First Aid/CPR/Naloxone Therapeutic Relationships and Applied Suicide Intervention (ASIST)
- Social Events: Indwells Hope and Homes Banquet yearly to celebrate the important work we do team gatherings
As Indwell works to support diverse tenant populations we are seeking to create a diverse work culture that closely matches the diversity of our communities with qualified individuals who share our commitment to equity and inclusion who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives. Our supports services and employment are open to people from every creed race ethnicity sex ability sexual orientation and gender identity. And we especially invite applications from Black Indigenous peoples members of racialized communities and intersectionalities. Indwells leadership are motivated by the example of Jesus Christ as reflected in Indwells statement of faith.
Inspired to JOIN OUR TEAM we invite you
To APPLY: Please forward your cover letter and resume to our website:www.indwell/careers.We thank all for your interest; however onlythose applicants that are being considered will be notified.
Personal information submitted will be used only for employment opportunities within Indwell in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act.
Accommodation will be provided to applicants who make their needs known in advance for the duration of the hiring process as required underIndwellsEmployment policy.