Client Services Assistant- Spiral Garden (ON, Toronto)

Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital; Toronto; On-site; CAD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking dedicated Client Services Assistants to support children and youth with disabilities in a vibrant program. This role involves direct assistance, promoting participation in creative activities, and ensuring safety and well-being. Join a team that values collaboration and innovation, where your contributions will help shape meaningful experiences for young participants. With a focus on professional growth and a supportive environment, this position is ideal for those passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and families. If you are ready to take on this rewarding challenge, we encourage you to apply early!

Benefits

Competitive Compensation

Professional Growth Opportunities

Inclusive Work Environment

Health and Wellness Programs

Qualifications

• Completion of relevant diploma or certificate in support work is required.
• Experience working with children and youth with disabilities is essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 assistance for assigned participants in various activities.
• Collaborate with program staff and families to meet program goals.

Skills

Verbal Communication

Organizational Skills

Crisis Intervention

Flexibility

Creative Arts Facilitation

Education

Diploma in Developmental Service Work

Personal Support Worker Certificate

Child Youth Worker Degree

Tools

CPR Certification

Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Certificate

American Sign Language Qualifications

Job description

Join us in building a world of possibility! Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital is Canada’s largest pediatric rehabilitation hospital, and a top 40 Canadian research hospital. Serving over 9,000 families annually in both inpatient and outpatient programs and services, Holland Bloorview is renowned for its expertise in partnering with clients and families to provide exceptional care and is the only organization to ever achieve 100 per cent in three successive quality surveys by Accreditation Canada.

Holland Bloorview’s vision is to support the most meaningful and healthy futures for all children, youth and families. We are an academic hospital, fully affiliated with the University of Toronto. All clinical staff are expected to contribute to the academic agenda through one or more of the following activities: supervising students, teaching, academic service, scholarship and research.

Holland Bloorview has won numerous awards including Greater Toronto's Top Employers, Canada's Top Employers for Young People and Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures. We offer an inspiring, inclusive, innovative, and collaborative work environment with competitive compensation and benefit packages and programs that support ongoing learning and professional growth.?

Program Summary

The Spiral Garden is an integrated art/garden/play program for children and youth ages 6-18 yrs old, with physical disabilities and developmental delays. Lead by professional Artists and Musicians, participants will interact and play through music, visual art, movement, drama, gardening and other arts activities. CSAs support clients who require one to one facilitation so they can have a safe, successful and fun experience in Spiral Garden. Nursing support provides care for medical interventions.

Position Summary

The Client Services Assistant (CSA) provides direct assistance for an assigned program participant, drawing on prior knowledge and experience of working with children and/or youth with disabilities to provide support safely, professionally, and effectively. The CSA supports and encourages the strengths of participants, facilitating their fullest possible participation in program activities while maintaining participant and program safety.

There are 3 Client Services Assistant positions available. Applications will be reviewed as they are received and we encourage applying early!

Key Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 assistance for assigned participant. This may include support with activity participation (e.g. hand-over-hand support), mobility (lifts/transfers/repositioning and transportation), personal care (e.g. toileting), eating, communication, behaviour support and self-regulation.
• Encourage and support participants in communication, working with others, problem solving, decision-making, task planning and organizing, and peer socialization.
• Apply crisis intervention/de-escalation strategies calmly and effectively and respond quickly to situations that may occur.
• In collaboration with the Care Coordinator and Artists, provide assistance to other participants of your group as need arises. This could include lifts and transfers, personal care or support with de-escalations, etc. Support lunch and break times.
• Collaborate with program staff, volunteers and families to meet program goals.
• Contribute to the larger team, including site preparation and clean-up, participation in group activities such as arts activities, music, etc.
• Contribute to daily debriefing meetings.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives, support the maintenance of a safe and healthy work environment and advance a culture of client/patient safety through work and daily practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Successful completion of a Diploma in Developmental Service Work, Personal Support Worker certificate/diploma, nursing education, child youth worker/development degree/diploma or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and education is required
• Previous work experience with children and youth with physical disabilities, developmental delays, and/or who are neurodivergent is required
• Demonstrated understanding and training in supporting individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to participate in activities
• Past work experience in lifting, transferring and/or positioning clients with disabilities ages 6 to 18 is required
• Current ability to lift, transfer or position participants independently as needed
• Past work experience in supporting eating (i.e. spoon-to-mouth) and personal care (i.e. changing briefs) for clients with disabilities ages 6 to18 is required
• Excellent verbal communication skills as they relate to participants, families and other team members
• Proficient written communication skills to write, understand, and effectively act on written materials from participants, families, and members of the staff team
• Demonstrated ability to be flexible and to quickly assess and respond to participant support needs
• Demonstrated organizational skills and ability to efficiently manage working hours
• Demonstrates initiative and self-direction to work independently at times
• Ability to take direction and receive feedback, and to work in collaboration with staff/clients/families
• Experience with creative arts (music, art, drama, music) facilitation and participation preferred
• CPR certification – CPR HS (Heart Saver) certificate recommended
• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) Certificate an asset
• American Sign Language (ASL) qualifications an asset