Support Staff - Full Time

at  Stonehenge Therapeutic Community

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Completion of a College Diploma or University Degree relevant to mental health, addiction, or Social Services
• Minimum six months of progressive experience in addictions or mental health; experience in concurrent disorders or trauma informed practice an asset
• Previous experience in residential treatment an asset
• Previous experience with justice-involved individuals preferred
• Previous experience in correctional field an asset
• Food Handlers Certification is an asset
• Lived experience related to addictions and/or mental health an asset
• Valid G Driver’s License and reliable / personal vehicle (locations are not on a bus route); 3 yrs of driving experience at a G or G2 level preferred; Satisfactory Motor Vehicle Record may be required if driving Agency vehicles
• CSC Clearance conducted by PWGS Canada
• Standard First Aid/CPR Level

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Support Staff position will support the Agency’s 24-7 Stonehenge locations. In this role, staff will have an opportunity to build skills related to varied contexts and to support clients at different stages of their recovery journey using a spectrum of evidence based approaches to client care.
The Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Program is a new program being offered to the community of Guelph and Wellington County. The PSH program is a 32-apartment 24/7 supportive housing intervention serving high acuity individuals with a history of housing instability. PSH staff provide dignity promoting support, life skills development, and crisis intervention and work together to facilitate individualized support plans.
Stonehenge’s Residential Program is a Therapeutic Community, which is a group-based, highly structured, and powerful treatment approach to substance use recovery. At our Residential center, we work with adult individuals with a history of chronic or acute substance abuse concerns, with or without co-occurring mental health diagnosis. Many of the individuals we work with also have current or previous involvement with the correctional system.
The Safe Beds Program is a 4-bed residential crisis service, providing an alternative to hospitalization or criminal detention for individuals experiencing a crisis related to their substance use and mental health. Safe Beds staff provide de-escalation and stabilization of the immediate crisis and connection to the services needed to enable safe and stable community living that addresses client health and wellbeing longer term.
The Full Time Support Staff’s primary responsibilities are to ensure the mental and physical safety and wellbeing of the residents in the program, support other staff with various needs, and completing various administrative tasks. Additionally, the Full Time Support Staff will support with ensuring the Therapeutic Community model is upheld at all times by providing in the moment feedback to staff and residents.
Location of work will vary, and staff will be assigned to work either within the Residential Program, PSH location or Safe Beds locations, as required by program needs.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES:

Client and Program Support

• Supervise residents in daily activities
• Provide mental health and crisis support
• Monitor the program sites during overnight hours
• Interact with residents consistent with individual treatment needs and treatment plans
• Facilitate crisis intervention and supportive counseling/containment
• Liaise and support program staff
• Provide medication to residents and complete related documentation as required
• Conduct bed checks / wellness checks
• Monitor withdrawal symptoms as necessary using withdrawal monitoring scales
• Lead and participate in programs *
• Provide medication to residents and complete related documentation *

Administrative Support

• Administrative supports for residents and staff
• Make referrals to internal and/or external programs or services, as appropriate
• Attend all mandatory training programs and team meetings
• Complete required documentation such as the Communication Log, program notes, and Incident Reports

Other Responsibilities

• Perform light housekeeping chores including laundry, clean staff offices, etc.
• Provide peer mentorship and coaching to the team
• Conduct/inform staff briefing in between shifts
• Provide support to full time staff where required
• Maintain professional boundaries and relationships
• Prepare for and attend regularly scheduled clinical supervisions
• Support planned and unplanned resident discharges
• Responsibilities specific to the Residential program