Outreach Support Worker, Indigenous

Salary : CAD $31.56 - $33.28 / hour

Job Summary

We are hiring a Full Time Outreach Support Worker, Indigenous to join our team in New Westminster, B.C. Fraser Health values diversity within the workplace and will give preference to applicants of Aboriginal ancestry. You will support Indigenous clients who are experiencing homelessness and living with substance use, mental illness, or chronic medical concerns.

Important to Know

Before we can finalize any offer of employment, you must confirm you are legally entitled to work in Canada.

Detailed Overview

Reporting to the Care Coordinator and as a member of the assigned multidisciplinary team, the Outreach Support Worker provides Indigenous clients struggling with homelessness and living with substance use / mental illness / chronic medical concerns with outreach community based support services. The role includes assisting in mental health and substance use treatment, providing life‑skills training, coaching, emotional and social support, advocacy, information, and resources to clients and their families. The Worker motivates and instructs clients with activities of daily living, monitors medication reactions, reports progress to the team, collaborates with community agencies and stakeholders, and ensures services and resources are culturally safe and culturally competent.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate connections that increase accessibility to Indigenous cultural services.
• Observe the client during interviews and assess their behavior to identify problems and needs, soliciting client feedback, inquiries, and complaints.
• Encourage and promote independence and self‑sufficiency for clients and their caregivers / families; develop short‑term strategies to deal with various situations.
• Provide feedback and suggested recommendations to the treatment plans within established guidelines.
• Document the care requested and progress made in the communications books; maintain client records.
• Report regularly to the multidisciplinary team on the condition, behaviour, performance, progress, and care needs of clients and their families.
• Provide support services, coaching, and behaviour modelling for the client and their caregivers / families to assist with the development of physical, social, emotional and life‑skills, including activities of daily living, interpersonal skills, meal planning and preparation, and household and budget management.
• Consult and work cooperatively with community agencies and families to maintain coordination in the service and treatment process.
• Act as an advocate for the client in dispute situations by responding to or coordinating response to problems regarding landlord‑tenant issues, financial assistance, or accessing community resources and housing, and developing workable solutions that meet the needs of the client.
• Observe and support individuals in appropriate medication management, in accordance with the plan of treatment / care and established policies and procedures.
• Observe and monitor clients in accordance with plan of treatment / care, assess and respond in potential emergency or crisis situations in accordance with established procedures (i.e., call 911). Provide feedback and recommendations to the treatment / care plan, including strategies to resolve situations, and referring for professional intervention, as required.
• Document client progress to maintain permanent record of client activity according to established methods and procedures.
• Participate in providing substance use treatment, home‑finding and general housing support (moving, packing, cleaning), individual and personal care services.
• Provide individual vocational supportive counselling and other work‑related supportive services.
• Maintain an awareness of community resources, including health care services, social, economic, recreational, employment, and educational services and resources, First Nations Health Authority services, Métis Nation BC, Indigenous Friendship Centres and other agencies. Utilize the information to assist clients to access services and problem‑solve with the client as required.
• Facilitate client attendance at appointments, programs, and services including escorting or accompanying client to appointments, and for shopping and leisure activities, including driving a vehicle. Participate in and supervise social and recreational activities as required.
• Teach, demonstrate, model, and support home maintenance and household management methods. Provide basic information to clients related to activities of daily living, e.g. housekeeping, yard maintenance, meal planning and preparation, grocery shopping, and managing monthly living expenses.
• Ensure a safe and healthy working environment by observing universal precautions and infection control procedures; removing obvious hazards; reporting faulty equipment, accidents, injuries, and near‑misses; and adhering to and enforcing rules regarding safety.
• Participate in staff meetings, quality improvement initiatives, committees and in‑services, and maintain up‑to‑date knowledge through involvement in work‑related continuing education, as required.
• Provide direction to volunteers and assist with orientation of new staff and education experiences of students, as well as sharing expertise with other members of the team, as required.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Education, Training, and Experience

Diploma in Community Social Services (e.g., Addictions Support Worker, Mental Health Worker, Community Health Worker, or Social Services Worker) inclusive of counselling skills training.

Two (2) years recent related experience working with individuals with mental illness / substance use issues including teaching life skills, experience with Indigenous culture and practices, cultural safety and practices in Indigenous community services, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Current Certifications

Current CPR certificate. Current Food Safe certificate. Valid Class 5 BC Drivers Licence and access to personal vehicle with appropriate business insurance coverage.

Skills And Abilities

About Fraser Health

Fraser Health is the heart of health care for over two million people in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley in British Columbia, Canada, on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux Nations and is home to 32 First Nations within the Fraser Salish region. People – those we care for and those who care for them – are at the heart of everything we do. Our hospital and community‑based services are delivered by a team of 50,000+ staff, medical staff and volunteers. We are committed to planetary health, value diversity in the workforce, and strive to maintain an environment of respect, caring and trust. Fraser Health’s hiring practices aspire to ensure all individuals are treated in an inclusive, equitable and culturally safe manner.

Recruitment Scam Warning

Please be on alert for recruitment scams. We are aware of several scams targeting individuals by falsely claiming to represent Fraser Health. Always take precautions when sharing personal details with unverified sources. We will never ask for money or payment, nor ask you to download or install an app at any point during our recruitment process.

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