Client Advocate, (Information & Referral), Health Promotion

• Client Advocate, (Information & Referral), Health Promotion
• Permanent Part-Time Position: 28 hours per week
• Position Expected Start Date: May 7, 2025 Salary: $28.69- $34.44 per hour
• Proof of Vulnerable Check required prior to hiring

LAMP Community Health Centre is a multi-service, community based charitable organization that provides a wide range of programs and services to improve a person's health. LAMP uses a co-ordinated approach to connect people to medical services and other programs that build personal resources. By providing services that improve physical, emotional, social and economic well-being, people can better control their health and environment.

The Client Advocate provides leadership, assistance and support to individuals and their families working from a social determinants of health framework, with an understanding of anti oppression and anti racism. The work will involve connecting individuals who face barriers to access to resources that will improve their health, wellbeing and quality of life. The Client Advocate will assess the individual needs and case manages accordingly by providing clients with internal and external client referrals, systems navigation and advocacy. Reporting to the Manager of Health Promotion & Community Relations, the Client Advocate will work with an interdisciplinary team identifying key partnership contacts to effectively and efficiently serve clients, and practice innovative approaches to service delivery.

Primary Responsibilities

• Advocates with and for East Mississauga clients as they navigate health and social services, and seek to access resources and supports.
• Provides resources to East Mississauga Community Health Centre’s staff and clients in assisting to navigate the healthcare, public services and social service system.
• Participates in case coordination for clients with complex needs in cooperation with other members of the Health Centre’s interdisciplinary team to ensure those from our priority populations have access to information, referrals, follow-up and advocacy.
• Provides support to clients in crisis or urgent need to navigate the complex public service systems by advocating on their behalf (i.e. immigration status, Interim Federal Health Paper, legal aid, CPP Disability, CPP Benefits for seniors, ODSP/OW, housing - eviction and homelessness, basic needs - food and clothing, etc.)
• Assembles diverse internal and external parties to gain a deeper understanding of client needs, and then develops, assesses and implements creative solutions for effectively meeting those needs. Thus adding value to the relationship while enhancing services for East Mississauga Community Health Centre.
• Negotiates with external organizations and compassionate drug program including Trillium Drug Benefit to cover expenses such as prescription drugs, lenses, training/transportation fees when not covered by Social Assistance program.
• Assists clients in completing necessary Government forms (i.e. name/gender designation change, housing, unemployment, CPP, OW/ODSP, Immigration, etc.)
• Participates in team and staff meetings, chart reviews, case conferences and other meetings and committee work as appropriate to support both service delivery and organizational goals.
• Provides ongoing consultation to Primary Health Care and Health Promotion staff about resources for non-insured clients.
• Engages in ongoing conflict resolution and mediation with clients in need of additional support.
• Works from a social determinants of health framework, takes a client-centered approach, to assist in building client’s own capacity to achieve health and well-being.
• Establishes and maintains relationships and collaborations with community partners, particularly around anti-poverty and marginalization.
• Participates in community outreach including workshops, presentations and community events.
• Maintains and updates the Information and Referral Services resources for East Mississauga Site.
• Provides mentorship and supervision for placement students and volunteers.
• Contributes to program planning and evaluation.

Minimum Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree/college diploma in Social Services or a relevant discipline, or an appropriate combination of education and 3 to 5 years’ experience working in a community setting.
• Experience in peer support and individual advocacy working effectively with culturally, economically, and socially diverse populations.
• Commitment to high levels of quality service provision through accurate, friendly and excellent client relations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills necessary to work effectively across all levels of the organization’s diverse workforce.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to clearly convey information and ideas.
• Positive attitude, empathetic, flexible and dependable with strong initiative and the ability to work both independently and in a team oriented atmosphere.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of anti-racist and anti-oppressive frameworks.
• Excellent knowledge in assisting clients with navigating the complex public services systems, community resources, and social support programs in Peel (including harm reduction practices).
• Build relationships with partner agencies in order to provide the best services to clients.
• Knowledge in program development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
• Open minded, eager and willing to constantly learn and improve oneself.
• Knowledge of East Mississauga Community Health Centre, the Peel Region community, and/or a second language that is reflective of the community being served are all preferable assets.

Proficiency in the Following Computer Skills

• Solid working knowledge and ability to easily navigate a PC windows environment, including shared drives.
• Solid working knowledge and ability to easily navigate the internet/intranet environment. With experience doing web-based research.
• Strong skills and experience using Microsoft applications (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint & Publisher)
• Experience and accuracy using database applications (i.e. Electronic Health Records – Purkinje & Nightingale, funder databases, etc.)
• Ability to learn new software quickly and willingness to continuously develop technology skills.

Working Conditions

• Required to work some evenings and weekends.
• Ability to work on a daily basis with clients with very complex issues facing crisis. Incumbent needs to attend to self-care when dealing with these situations.
• Ability to effectively understand the appreciation of guiding fundamentals at LAMP, i.e. Health Promotion, Anti-Oppression; Harm Reduction and the principles of community-based practice.
• There is an expectation for all employees to participate in two events per year for the agency; these events may be during the evening or on a weekend.

Physical Requirements

• Frequent data entry, with extended periods of time sitting stationary in front of a monitor while keyboarding.
• Ability to balance all job requirements in a busy atmosphere, including responding promptly to all communication.
• Occasional standing for extended periods of time and some occasional lifting may be required.
• Demonstrates good and safe work habits, and maintains a clean working environment.
• Ensures that staff and clients are compliant with LAMP’s Health & Safety regulations and LAMP’s policies and procedures, including the immediate reporting of any breaches of Health & Safety or Environmental incidents, accidents or concerns to their respective manager/supervisor and/or the Director, Human Resources and Operations.

As part of our mandate for inclusivity, reasonable accommodations can be made for all incumbents to perform the described physical functions of the aforementioned job.

Location

Toronto, ON

How to apply:

LAMP Community Health Centre is dedicated to achieving a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community it serves and encourages applications from equity seeking groups.

Please send your resume with a cover letter to Human Resources:

• Subject │ Job Opening for Client Advocate (Information & Referral)
• Internal Deadline │ 5:00 pm on Tuesday, April 22, 2025
• External Deadline │ 5:00 pm on Tuesday, April 29, 2025

We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those selected for interviews will be contacted. No phone calls please.