Outreach Support Worker, Community Mental Health

Salary

The salary range for this position is CAD $33.49 - $35.31 / hour Job Summary

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Detailed Overview

Reporting to the Care Coordinator, as a member of a Mental Health & Substance Use Services (MH&SUS) multidisciplinary team, the Outreach Support Worker provides outreach community based support services, assists in mental health and substance use treatment, provides life skills training, coaching, advocacy and support to clients experiencing mental health, behavioral, and developmental problems and to their caregivers/families, in accordance with an established plan of treatment/care. Motivates, assists, and instructs clients with the activities of daily living, reports clients' progress and condition, including reactions to medications.

Responsibilities

• Observes, interviews and assesses client behavior to identify problems and needs, soliciting client feedback, inquiries, and complaints; responds to client needs as appropriate.
• Encourages and promotes independence and self-sufficiency for clients and their caregivers/families; develops short-term strategies to deal with various situations.
• Provides feedback and suggested recommendations to the treatment plans within established guidelines.
• Documents the care requested and progress made in the communications books; maintains client records.
• Reports regularly to the multidisciplinary team on the condition, behaviour, performance, progress, and care needs of clients and their caregivers/families.
• Provides support services, coaching and behavior modeling for the client and their caregivers/families to assist with the development of physical, social, emotion and life-skills, including all activities of daily living, interpersonal skills, meal planning and preparation, and household and budget management.
• Consults and works cooperatively with community agencies and families to maintain coordination in the service and treatment process.
• Acts as an advocate for the client in dispute situations by responding to and/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.
• Observes and supports individuals in appropriate medication management, in accordance with the plan of treatment/care and established policies and procedures.
• Observes and monitors clients in accordance with plan of treatment/care, assesses and responds in potential emergency or crisis situations in accordance with established procedures i.e. call 911.
• Provides feedback and recommendations to the treatment/care plan, including strategies to resolve situations, and referring for professional intervention, as required.
• Documents client progress to maintain permanent record of client activity according to established methods and procedures.
• Participates in providing substance use treatment, home finding and general housing support (moving, packing, cleaning), individual and personal care services.
• Provides individual vocational supportive counseling and other work related supportive services.
• Maintains an awareness of community resources, including health care services, social, economic, recreational, employment, and educational services and resources, and other agencies and shares that information as required.

Qualifications: Education and Experience

Grade twelve (12) plus successful completion of the Community Mental Health Worker Certificate or Social Services Worker Diploma and two (2) years' recent related experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Current CPR certificate. Valid Class 5 BC Drivers Licence and access to personal vehicle with appropriate business insurance coverage.

Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of legislation such as the Mental Health Act and the Guardianship Act.
• Knowledge of available programs, their interrelationships, and their function in delivering care in the community.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to deal with others effectively.
• Ability to prioritize and organize client demands made and care needs.
• Ability to problem-solve.
• Ability to teach life skills.
• Sound judgment and good observation skills.
• Ability to demonstrate an appropriate level of initiative and independence.
• Ability to work cooperatively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to promote positive change and independence.
• Physical and ability to carry out the duties of the position.
• Ability to operate related equipment.
• Advocacy skills.

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