Job Information

The Community Wellness Worker is a member of the Primary Community Care (PCC) Team and therefore plays a key role in striving to ensure that client needs are met through culturally relevant and appropriate education, screening, intake, assessment, supportive counselling, planning, referral, and aftercare related to cultural identity, mental health/wellness, substance use/misuse, and healthy families/family violence. This involves working with various community groups and stakeholders, Indigenous leaders and the public including a diverse population (Elders, adults, adolescents, children, and families). The incumbent works collaboratively, and in partnership with other social and medical professionals, as well as organizations and professionals outside of the health and social services system in the community and region (i.e., Community Counsellors, Child and Youth Counsellors, Community Health Representatives, staff from Indigenous organizations, Local Governments, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Social Workers, Justice and Education Departments, etc.) to promote wellness to residents of the NWT.

Home visits and community-based presentations (30% of the time) will require the incumbent to carry 5-15 lbs. of presentation supplies and aids to the location of the presentations in all climactic conditions (private homes, schools, health centre). The incumbent may be expected to walk to the sites on a daily basis with exposure to various weather conditions when moving between the office and locations for public presentations and home visits.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of cultural values, customs, and ideology of the Indigenous peoples of the NWT.
• Knowledge of the detrimental effects of colonization, especially the residential school system, and its impacts on Indigenous communities, families and individuals.
• Knowledge of the intergenerational impacts caused by the trauma of colonization on communities, families, and individuals.
• Knowledge of physical, psychological, and social effects of substance use/misuse, mental health / mental health disorders and healthy families.
• Demonstrates ability to adhere to a professional code of ethics.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply wise practices in the management of risk factors for substance use/misuse, mental health/mental health disorders and healthy families.
• Knowledge of and ability to refer clients to community supports and connections to culture within and outside the region to ensure support for clients and their families (i.e., for individuals who require in-patient or alternative [such as psychiatric] assessment and care).
• Knowledge of mental health and addiction treatment options and Indigenous based programming for people of all ages.
• Knowledge of and ability to demonstrate understanding and respect of the culture, traditions, community norms, and cultural values of the community.
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