Personal Support Worker

We are seeking a Part-time Personal Support Worker to join our Homeless Health Program.

Homeless Health Program

The Homeless Health Program is a Nurse Practitioner-led initiative that provides essential healthcare services to individuals who are homeless, precariously housed, or transitioning out of homelessness in the Peel Region. We understand the unique challenges faced by those without stable housing, and our goal is to make healthcare accessible, integrated, and responsive.

Our dedicated team includes Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, Registered Practical Nurses, and Personal Support Workers, all working together to ensure our patients receive the care they need, where and when they need it. We remove barriers to care for those facing housing instability and poor health.

The program manages 45 medical beds at the Dundas Street Shelter, providing 24 / 7 care, as well as daytime mobile primary care services at other shelters and drop-ins across the region.

By providing these services, we help hospitals make the best use of their emergency and acute care resources. Patients who no longer need to stay in the hospital but still require medical support can continue their recovery in a shelter bed with healthcare services. We also offer additional support for people in shelters who may need extra medical attention, helping to prevent unnecessary hospital visits.

Our medical services include :

• Care for chronic conditions like diabetes
• Medication management
• Support for substance withdrawal and pain management
• Wound care
• Mental health services and stabilization
• Monitoring and support after hospital stays

This program ensures that structurally vulnerable populations in our community have access to the care they deserve, improving overall health and wellbeing.

Responsibilities

The Personal Support Worker will be a valued and trusted companion to people experiencing homelessness by providing assistance with day-to-day living activities including personal care, meal set up, lifestyle assistance and light housekeeping duties. You will also encourage and assist the client in engaging in exercise, leisure and social activities to promote physical and mental wellbeing while fostering independence. The Personal Support Worker will work with their team to develop care plans, engage in constant client assessment, communicate effectively with colleagues, clients and families, and deliver client-focused care within the scope of their practice.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Experience)

• Personal Support Worker Certificate from a recognized and accredited school.
• Two to three years’ experience working with people experiencing homelessness or precariously housed in a community / home setting is an asset.

Essential Competencies (Skills and Attributes)

• Demonstrated ability to provide exceptional care and customer service to clients and partners
• Ability to work independently and function as a team member, contributing to the growth of the team.
• Experience working with communities and individuals who face barriers accessing traditional health care institutions such as poverty, discrimination, mental health, and substance use issues.
• An understanding of and critical analysis of the determinants of health and social factors, such as power dynamics that affect individual, organizational and community health.
• Excellent written communication and oral skills that meet the needs of the individual and / or community at the appropriate literacy level.
• Experience working with confidential and time sensitive documents and information.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience working in a value based non-profit or social services organization.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and interdependently in an interdisciplinary team environment in which the skills and responsibilities of each team member are recognized and respected.
• Demonstrated proficiency in the use of computers and various computer software applications, such as Electronic Medical Record (EMR).
• Ability to multi-task when delegated.
• Strong communication, verbal, listening and writing skills.
• Flexibility and ability to work all shifts and between multiple sites as necessary.
• Good assessment and critical thinking skills.
• Knowledge of basic computer and keyboarding.
• Oral and / or written fluency in other languages relevant to the community the program serves is a definite asset.

Job Requirements

• Valid First Aid & CPR Certification
• Must present a Vulnerable Sector Check that meets the employer’s standard
• Completed 2-Step TB Test
• Must be available to work weekends and statutory holidays

As a condition of employment, new WellFort staff must be fully vaccinated unless they have received an exemption from vaccination under the Human Rights Code. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination status will be required before the first day of work or, proof of religious or medical exemption, if and where applicable.

Fully vaccinated is defined as having received the completed series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine, as recommended by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health and having received the final dose at least 14 days before your employment start date.

The candidate will be asked to provide WellFort with proof of full vaccination, prior to their employment start date. Acceptable proof is a Ministry of Health Dose Administration Receipt (or such other proof of vaccination that the Province of Ontario sanctions). This can be obtained through the Provincial portal https : / / covid-19.ontario.ca / get-proof / .

The requirement to be fully vaccinated is subject to the Ontario Human Rights Code. If the candidate is unable to vaccinate for a reason protected by the Code, a request for accommodation can be requested and written proof satisfactory to the organization will be required.

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