Supportive Employment Specialist
Ongoing
Read: SERVICE COORDINATION - PATHWAYS TO HOUSING
Pathways to Housing - An Innovative New Program to Address Homelessness
This exciting new program operated by the Boyle McCauley Health Centre in Edmonton is based on a recognized service delivery model for ending homelessness by arranging for "Housing First" coupled with harm reduction services provided by an interdisciplinary Assertive Community Treatment team (ACT).
SUPPORTIVE EMPLOYMENT SPECIALIST
PATHWAYS TO HOUSING PROGRAM/strong>
Assertive Community Treatment Team
Summary Profile
Edmonton Pathways Program ends homelessness for people who suffer from complex psychiatric disabilities usually co-occurring with problematic or addiction substance use issues, together with significant medical and social problems by:
providing immediate access to permanent independent housing without requiring treatment or sobriety as a precondition for housing;
providing support and treatment with a philosophy that is founded in the principles of consumer choice and harm reduction;
providing services which are ‘Best Practices’ evidence informed and contributing to such evidence to find new and effective approaches to recovery and community integration for this marginalized population.
The Supportive Employment Specialist reports to the Team Leader and is an integral part of the inter-disciplinary Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team providing comprehensive wrap-around treatment, support and rehabilitation/recovery services for the clients of the program. The clients are clients of the Program team as a whole requiring all team members to be current with the all the clients, their situation and recovery program and goals. All treatment/recovery plans will be developed conjointly as a team, including the client. However, individual team members will have a primary service coordination/case management role with specific clients depending on appropriate and relevant skill mix required by the client at a given time. The Supportive Employment Specialist, in addition to this service coordination/case management role, is responsible specifically for developing employment/education/training resources for the clients of the program who are looking to enter/re-enter employment, volunteering or training. Included in this is developing/implementing individual and group counseling/support to maintain employment and ultimately become as self-supporting as they can.
Duties
- As a fully participating member of the ACT inter-disciplinary team, works with the team and the client to develop, implement and continuously evaluate a comprehensive strength-based assessment, treatment and rehabilitation/recovery plan that guides interventions and support, to ensure effectiveness of the client’s achievement of recovery goals.
- In consultation with the Occupational Therapist and other team members, helps clients identify employment related strengths and preferences from which an employment development and action plan can be outlined.
- Implements and/or oversees employment related interventions and services within the framework of the client’s recovery plan.
- Acts as the primary case manager/service coordinator for identified clients as assigned in collaboration with the ACT team, thereby being the primary contact for the client for the team and all interventions. This requires developing solid working relationships with allied agencies and services.
- Enters and maintains electronic and written records as required. Ensures compliance with FOIP and Health Information Act.
- Leads/co-leads as appropriate in developing and implementing required individual education, counseling and skill building for individuals, families and groups.
- Works collaboratively/builds a network with other employment rehabilitation services in the community to ensure community capacity building for and access to services required by the clients of the program.
- Participates in required Program and BMHC related training and meetings as required.
- May supervise/participate in student placements as required
- Perform other duties as assigned
Qualification Requirements
- A degree or diploma in a health or human services field
- Experience in Mental Health Services community treatment setting preferably in psychosocial psychiatric rehabilitation/supported employment as well as additional experience working in acute psychiatry and crisis intervention/emergency services, addictions, concurrent disorders, Housing First would be an asset.
- Experience in providing outreach services in a ‘street/inner city/chronic homelessness’ environment or equivalent.
- Successful experience in inter-disciplinary teamwork.
- Experience in community allied service networking/community capacity development
- Knowledge of best practices in working with people with complex co-occurring serious mental illness-addiction-medical issues; of client centered, strength-based recovery treatments/rehabilitation strategies; of the Housing First/Pathway to Housing models; of Harm Reduction philosophy.
- Knowledge and practice in integrating cultural contexts into practice and service delivery.
- Experience in developing and delivering group recovery directed programs.
- Experience in developing and delivering individual and group recovery directed employment-vocational programs.
- Communication skills/literacy: written, oral, computer.
- Responsible, organized and efficient.
- A continuous learner.
- Valid driver’s license and use of personal car
- Physical capacity to perform job duties.
- An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
DEADLINE TO APPLY: This competition will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.
TO APPLY:
Del Marlow, ACT Team Leader
BMHC Pathways to Housing Edmonton
10742 - 95 St. NW
Edmonton AB T5H 2C9
Fax: 780-497-7146
E-mail:
del@pathwaystohousingedm.ca
SUPPORT WORKER
PATHWAYS TO HOUSING
Assertive Community Treatment Team
Summary Profile
Edmonton Pathways Program ends homelessness for people who suffer from complex psychiatric disabilities usually co-occurring with problematic or addiction substance use issues, together with significant medical and social problems by:
- providing immediate access to permanent independent housing without requiring treatment or sobriety as a precondition for housing;
- providing support and treatment with a philosophy that is founded in the principles of consumer choice and harm reduction;
- providing services which are ‘Best Practices’ evidence informed and contributing to such evidence to find new and effective approaches to recovery and community integration for this marginalized population.
The Support Worker reports to the Team Leader and is an integral part of the inter-disciplinary Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team providing comprehensive wrap-around treatment, support and rehabilitation/recovery services for the clients of the program. The clients are clients of the Program team as a whole requiring all team members to be current with all of the clients, their situation and their recovery program and goals. All treatment/recovery plans will be developed conjointly as a team, including the client. Within the framework of the recovery plan, the support worker is responsible for assisting/coaching/collaborating with assigned clients in their home and in the community to support them in maintaining their housing and in developing daily living skills toward living as independently as possible in their home and community of choice.
Duties
- As a fully participating member of the ACT inter-disciplinary team, works with the team and the client to develop a comprehensive strength-based assessment, treatment and rehabilitation/recovery plan that guides interventions and support to ensure effectiveness the client’s achievement of recovery goals.
- Builds and develops solid working relationships each client in order to readily assist them in recovery oriented/harm reduction activities and tasks such as:
- Assisting with moving into housing including accessing furnishings and household goods.
- Arranging for other support services such as Home Care when necessary.
- Teaching personal hygiene, basic housekeeping and sanitation skills.
- Promoting healthy food shopping and nutrition skills.
- Teaching/coaching budgeting and money management within the client’s means.
- Connecting and preparing clients to access community services such as recreational facilities, utilizing public transit, etc.
- Supporting the client in attending medical, legal or other required appointments.
- Supporting the client in medication management.
- Providing emotional support and crisis intervention as required.
- Assist with relocation as required.
- Continuously observes and monitors the client’s behaviors and well being. Generally reporting daily to the team as to the basic level of wellness but reporting any unusual observations to the Team Leader as soon as possible for direction and intervention.
- Develops solid working relationships with the client landlords in order to facilitate good relations between the client and the landlord and to ensure positive problem-solving/conflict resolution should problems occur. Develops working knowledge of Landlord-Tenant legislation so that the client can be informed of tenant rights as necessary.
- Identifies any service gaps observed/encountered that are barriers to recovery for clients and advocates on their behalf.
- Enters and maintains electronic and written records as required. Ensures compliance with FOIP and Health Information Act.
- May lead/co-lead as assigned in developing and implementing required health education and counseling for individuals, families and groups.
- Participates in required Program and BMHC related training and meetings as required.
- May supervise/participate in student placements as required.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualification Requirements
- Health or Human Services related degree or diploma. An equivalent combination of education and directly related experience may be considered.
- Minimum 2 years experience in delivering community based health or human services, preferably in providing outreach services in a street/inner city/chronic homelessness’ environment or equivalent.
- Experience in working with people who have problems in mental health and addictions.
- Successful experience in teamwork.
- Experience in community allied-service networking.
- Knowledge and practice in integrating cultural contexts into service delivery would be an asset.
- Communication skills/literacy: written, oral, computer.
- Responsible, organized and efficient.
- A continuous learner.
- Physical capacity to perform the duties of the position.
- Valid driver’s license and use of personal car.
DEADLINE TO APPLY: This competition will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.
TO APPLY:
Del Marlow, ACT Team Leader
BMHC Pathways to Housing Edmonton
10742 - 95 St. NW
Edmonton AB T5H 2C9
Fax: 780-497-7146
E-mail:
del@pathwaystohousingedm.ca
SERVICE COORDINATION - Pathways to Housing ACT Team
Summary
Applicable to all ACT team members.
Edmonton Pathways Program ends homelessness for people who suffer from complex psychiatric disabilities usually co-occurring with problematic or addiction substance use issues, together with significant medical and social problems by:
- providing immediate access to permanent independent housing without requiring treatment or sobriety as a precondition for housing;
- providing street level outreach community support and treatment with a philosophy that is founded in the principles of consumer choice and harm reduction;
- providing services which are ‘Best Practices’ evidence informed and contributing to such evidence to find new and effective approaches to recovery and community integration for this marginalized population.
The inter-disciplinary Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team provides comprehensive wrap-around treatment, support and rehabilitation/recovery services for the clients of the program. The clients are clients of the Program team as a whole requiring all team members to be current with all the clients, their situation and recovery program and goals. All treatment/recovery plans will be developed conjointly as a team, including the client. However, individual team members will have a primary service coordination/case management role with specific clients depending on appropriate and relevant skill mix required by the client at a given time.
Duties
- Establish a dignifying and purposeful relationship with the client, contacting and getting to know the client as a unique individual and clarifying the role of the Service Coordinator and the client in the planning process.
- Collaborate with the client and the ACT team in the development of a comprehensive strengths-based service plan that is reviewed and modified with the client on a regular basis; ensure that the client’s self-identified goals are supported by the ACT team and other relevant services.
- Provide, coordinate and monitor services to clients to ensure the client is receiving individualized services in the following areas:
- Housing (including landlord supports)
- School, training and employment opportunities
- Activities of daily living and health
- Illness self-management
- Relapse prevention
- Money management
- Advocacy for benefits and access to services
- Transitions between hospital and community
- Assist the client in self-managing all aspects of their life, including their mental illness, substance use and other health conditions by such methods as information and education, coaching, practical problem-solving, and linkages with peer supports and consumer advocacy groups.
- Coordinate and monitor referrals to community services and advocate for client rights re: dignity, access, self-determination, privacy, access to information; as required, initiate and/or participate in case conferences that include the client, family, and other informal supports and service providers to ensure coordination of care/service and resolution of emergent issues.
- Provide support for crisis intervention and prevention by identifying crises and implementing prevention plans, responding to crises as they arise (mental health, physical health, non-violent crisis intervention, housing), report all crises to the Team Leader/ACT team using critical incident forms as required.
- Provide supports related to housing including completing paper work related to tenancy, assisting in packing and transporting belongings and furniture and setting up household, and coaching on the landlord relationship, cleaning and orienting to and connecting with the local community.
- Participate in a Monday to Saturday shift rotation, with some evening shifts and an ON CALL rotation.
Looking for Licensed Practical Nurses who would like to do casual shifts and holiday relief.
If you would like to work outside a hospital setting and are interested in being part of a interdisciplinary team in a community-based medical clinic, we'd like to hear from you.
Please forward your resume in confidence to:
Boyle McCauley Health Centre
Attention: Colleen Novotny
10628 - 96 Street
Edmonton AB T5H 2J2
Fax: 425 - 8515
e-mail: cnovotny@bmhc.net