Full-time (35hrs) Community Mental Health Worker- qathet Complex Care Housi

at  Lift Community Services

Full-time Community Mental Health Worker- qathet Complex Care Housing
Lift Community Services (LIFT) focuses on helping all people thrive in the qathet region by reducing social inequities and by providing support and advocacy for anyone who needs it. Our vision is a welcoming, inclusive, and diversity-affirming community that is free of poverty and full of heart. At Lift, we believe a thriving, sustainable community comes from a collaborative, equitable, future-focused approach.
Lift Community Services is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information.

OPPORTUNITY

The qathet Complex Care Housing (CCH) program is a collaboration between LIFT community Services Society (LIFT), Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) and Tla’amin Nation. This program represents a suite of services and supports aimed at ensuring people with significant mental health, substance use and other health complexities attain safe and stable housing as a foundation to thrive. These services support participants through transitions with the appropriate level of service as their needs change over time, in line with Tier 1, Intensive Supportive Housing and Tier 2, Stabilization and Respite, and represent an increase in services offered at Supportive Housing, and select community-based shelter and housing sites.
LIFT is seeking a full-time Community Mental Health Worker to join the multi-disciplinary qathet CCH team to collaborate with the healthcare team to support clients’ development of physical, social, emotional and life skills.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Diploma in Community Social Service or completion of Mental Health Worker program
• A minimum of two years of experience in similar roles
• At least one year of experience working with clients presenting with mental health and/or substance use conditions would be considered a significant asset.
• A combination of education, training and experience may also be accepted.
• Experience with trauma-informed care and demonstrated ability to practice from a harm reduction approach would be an asset.
• Experience in community healthcare setting would also be an asset
• A valid BC driver’s license and personal vehicle is required

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Demonstrated ability to apply culturally safe and competent care, including when working with Indigenous peoples.
• Knowledge of the Mental Health Act as it applies to the rights and obligations of clients and staff.
• Knowledge of psychiatric medications and their side effects.
• Knowledge in workplace violence prevention including personal safety techniques.
• Basic knowledge of client-centered care and promoting independence.
• Basic knowledge of self-care and motivational support.
• Ability to take and record temperature, pulse, and respiration on clients.
• Ability to motivate clients and encourage progression through therapeutic goals.
• Ability to demonstrate and assist clients with activities of daily living.
• Ability to establish and maintain rapport with clients.
• Ability to observe and recognize changes in clients.
• Ability to resolve conflicts and provide crisis intervention.
• Ability to work independently and within a team setting.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and responsibilities within a team environment.
• Efficient organizational skills
• Ability to analyze, make decisions, and resolve problems.
• Effective communicator with proficient use of nonverbal, verbal, and written styles in English language, when applicable
• Ability to provide instructions as needed and based on directions provided by other health care team members.
• Ability to operate a computerized client care information system and cellular phone.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), EMRs, or similar programs.
• Ability to operate related equipment.
• Physical ability to carry out duties of the position.

KEY TASKS AND COMPETENCIES:

• Participates in case planning with clients with activities including, but not limited to: interviewing clients to identify needs and opportunities, gatherings information from a variety of sources (families, other care providers, etc.), documenting pertinent information, and collecting relevant records.
• Works with clients to determine appropriate care to meet needs, situational requirements and appropriate programs
• Implements multidisciplinary care plans, observes client’s behavior and symptoms, provides feedback regarding client’s needs, performance and progress, recognizes anticipated/unanticipated client responses to care, develops short term strategies in response to emergent situations and reports significant observations to the team or appropriate team member.
• Provides supportive counselling, demonstrations, modeling and behavior management to assist with the development of physical, social, emotional and life skills. Involves client in activities of daily living, including maintaining personal hygiene and appearance, preparing food, safety, shopping, budgeting, laundering and cleaning, time management, organization and interpersonal communication, developing a social network.
• Establishes, maintains and enhances therapeutic relationships and delivers care to assigned clients in accordance with care plans, performing duties such as taking and recording temperature, pulse and respiration, collecting specimens, weighing residents.
• Administers medications when required in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Participates in and oversees various client focused social and recreational activities which may include social groups, recreational activities, arts and crafts, games, and therapeutic and educational groups and workshops.
• Identifies client’s and family’s perspectives, learning needs and readiness to learn, initiates discussions to determine and understand client needs, goals and concerns, engages client and family in care plan, encourages informed decision making and emotional support.
• Maintains client records and provides input and feedback by participating in team care conferences and collaborates with the health care team to enhance client wellbeing.
• Acts as an advocate to assist clients in resolving conflicts and other problems with external organizations.
• Ensures a safe environment for clients and staff by adhering to violence prevention, infection control, occupational health and safety standards.
• Performs housekeeping duties as required, checks the operation of relevant equipment to ensure safe working order, and reports incident/equipment problems or general safety concerns to Supervisor.
• Attends and participates in staff development programs, team meetings, and other meetings as required.
• Participates in training and orientation of staff, students, and client/families as required.
• Carries out responsibilities in accordance with health and safety requirements.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.