Outreach Support Worker, Integrated Homelessness Action Response Team (IHART)

We invite you to apply today and find out why more than 95% of new employees recommend Fraser Health to their friends as an exceptional place to work. A 2022 BC Top Employer, we value diversity in the work force and seek to maintain an environment of Respect, Caring & Trust.

If you are someone who empowers individuals to engage and connect within their communities, we want you to consider our challenging opportunity that is equally as rewarding. We are currently looking for a Casual Outreach Support Worker to join our dynamic Integrated Homelessness Action Response Team (IHART) and provide services in the Fraser East region including the areas of Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission and Hope. We hire great people for outstanding jobs and need your help to expand the ability to deliver prompt and professional service.

The IHART (Integrated Homelessness Action Response Teams) provide integrated, coordinated health services to members of our population who have inadequate or unstable housing. Utilizing a hands-on and direct approach of meeting individuals where they are currently situated means that IHART connects with individuals who are unsheltered, in shelters, in homeless encampments, and/or supportive housing environments. IHART is comprised of multidisciplinary teams capable of responding to health, mental health, and substance use issues including health promotion and prevention. Teams will also support continuity of care by providing cohesive linkages to primary care, and Specialized Community Services Programs (SCSP) such as Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Teams and specialized care services focused on seniors. IHART addresses a broad spectrum of health care concerns, including new and chronic conditions, by enabling supportive wrap-around care for those greatest in need and who have, historically, had the least access to services due to inadequate or unstable housing.

The Toxic Drug Response and Priority Populations (TDRPP) portfolio within the Fraser Health Authority encourages people with lived experience of substance use to apply to vacant positions within their portfolio. If you identify as an individual who has experience using the unregulated drug supply and would like assistance in navigating employment within the TDRPP portfolio please contact Erin Gibson, Manager Toxic Drug Response and Harm Reduction Fraser West, at erin.gibson@fraserhealth.ca. Thank you in advance for your interest in joining the amazing team within the TDRPP portfolio

Fraser Health is responsible for the delivery of hospital and community-based health services to over 1.9 million people in 20 diverse communities from Burnaby to Fraser Canyon on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux Nations, and is home to six Métis Chartered Communities. Our team of 43,000 staff, medical staff and volunteers is dedicated to serving our patients, families and communities to deliver on our vision: Better health, best in health care.

Effective October 26th 2021, all new hires to Fraser Health will need to have full COVID 19 vaccination (have received a full series of a World Health Organization “WHO” approved vaccine against infection by SARS-COV-2, or a combination of approved WHO vaccines).  Please note this applies to all postings, and individual medical exemptions must be approved by the Provincial Health Officer.

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Reporting to the Manager or designate, as a member of the Integrated Homelessness Action Response 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.

1. Observes the client during interviews and assesses their behavior to identify problems and needs, solicits client feedback, inquiries, and complaints; responds to client needs as appropriate.
2. Encourages and promotes independence and self-sufficiency for clients and their caregivers/families; develops short-term strategies to deal with various situations.
3. Provides feedback and suggested recommendations to the treatment plans within established guidelines.
4. Documents the care requested and progress made in the communications books; maintains client records.
5. Reports regularly to the multidisciplinary team on the condition, behaviour, performance, progress, and care needs of clients and their caregivers/families.
6. 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.
7. Consults and works cooperatively with community agencies and families to maintain coordination in the service and treatment process.
8. 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.
9. Observes and supports individuals in appropriate medication management, in accordance with the plan of treatment/care and established policies and procedures.
10. 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.
11. Documents client progress to maintain permanent record of client activity according to established methods and procedures.
12. Participates in finding substance use treatment services, home finding and general housing support (moving, packing, cleaning), individual and personal care services.
13. Provides individual vocational support and other work-related supportive services.
14. 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.
15. Facilitates client attendance at appointments, programs, and services including escorting or accompanying client to appointments, and for shopping and leisure activities, including driving a vehicle. Participates in and supervises social and recreational activities as required.
16. Teaches, demonstrates, models, and supports home maintenance and household management methods. Provides 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.
17. Ensures 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.
18. Participates in staff meetings, quality improvement initiatives, committees and in-services, and maintains up-to-date knowledge through involvement in work-related continuing education, as required.
19. Provides direction to volunteers and assists with orientation of new staff and education experiences of students, as well as sharing expertise with other members of the team, as required.
20. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

Diploma in Community Social Services, e.g. Mental Health Worker, Community Health Worker, or Social Services Worker including post-secondary education in counselling skills training.

Two (2) years recent related experience working with individuals with mental illness/ substance use issues including teaching life skills, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

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

• 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.