Community Mental Health Worker - Hoarding Specialist

Status: Temporary, Part-time
Location: Pacific Coast Apartments, 337 West Pender Street, Vancouver, BC.
Schedule: 11am - 7pm, Tuesday - Friday
Start Date: As soon as possible.
End Date: 1-year term

Job Summary:
Reporting to a Program Manager, Community Mental Health Workers – Hoarding Specialists are responsible for providing regular home support and complex de-hoarding services in units and common areas within our projects and programs.

Working as part of a collaborative team, the Community Mental Health Worker – Hoarding Specialist provides support including de-cluttering, de-hoarding, cleaning of resident rooms, room remediation, harm reduction, and crisis intervention.

Key Responsibilities:

• Responsible for cleaning resident rooms in accordance with initiatives set out by the Program Manager.
• Follows and maintains a weekly list of room-cleaning priorities as assigned by the Program Manager.
• Implements de-cluttering project plans, including de-hoarding, deep cleaning, organizing, teaching life skills to tenants, and room remediation (e.g., patching and painting).
• Performs regular upkeep of resident rooms to help reduce and eliminate pest infestations.
• Works alongside pest control services at the direction of the Program Manager.
• Provides physical, social, and emotional support, as well as basic life skills training to participants, including home support, personal hygiene, and harm reduction initiatives. Contributes to and updates resident care plans.
• Maintains a daily log of completed home support tasks.
• Listens and responds to resident concerns, questions, and requests in a respectful manner. De-escalates hostile interactions between tenants and escalates issues to the appropriate Program Manager when necessary.
• Provides crisis intervention in the event of an overdose, including but not limited to preparing and administering naloxone, calling emergency services, and monitoring for recurring overdose.
• Reports emergency events (e.g., death, fire) to the Program Manager.

QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE

• Diploma in Community Social Service or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience or other qualifications determined to be reasonable and relevant to the level of work
• Recent, related experience of two years
• Class 5 - BCDL
• Ability to provide or obtain the following upon hire:
• Certificates in First Aid + CPR
• WHMIS

Knowledge and Abilities

• Knowledge of housing issues local and community resources
• Firm understanding of harm reduction approach and its implementation in a community based setting.
• Demonstrated ability in crisis de-escalation skills applied in a team setting
• Demonstrated ability to work with individuals who are marginalized, under served and who may be at risk of homelessness or homeless.
• Demonstrated ability working with individuals living with substance misuse issues and or an untreated mental illness.
• Understanding of a trauma informed approach
• Knowledge of psychosocial rehabilitation practices
• Knowledge of program policy and procedures
• Knowledge and proficiency in relevant software
• Ability to work with clients living with mental illness
• A good understanding of the issues related to meeting basic needs of food, clothing, shelter.
• Ability to work effectively independently and in cooperation with others.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.
• Ability to observe and recognize changes in clients.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate groups.
• Some knowledge of the criminal justice system
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.
• Lift and carry up to 50 lbs. at waist level.
• Lift and hold up to 20 lbs. overhead.
• Able to safely handle chemicals and cleaning supplies.
• Able to work safely in rooms that may have pests and/or biohazardous materials.
• Ability to operate related equipment.
• Ability to work independently and in cooperation with others.
• Ability to organize and prioritize.
• Ability to establish and maintain rapport with residents.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Conflict resolution and crisis intervention skills.

Why Coast

• We believe in the person, not the disease
• We operate client-centered care under the principles of psychosocial rehabilitation
• There is a variety of work within a particular position and within the organization
• We strive to be the best that we can be
• We hold Exemplary Status accreditation through Accreditation Canada
• We have won numerous awards for our innovative programming
• We care about our employees, and believe in living our values and culture throughout the organization

***Employees of Coast must apply within seven days of the posting date with their internal account (Coast email address registered) to be considered as an internal applicant. Current Coast employees who apply to this posting using external accounts or after the 7 day deadline will be considered as external candidates. Seniority will not apply.***

Coast Mental Health is committed to creating a culture of diversity and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion or disability.