Community Health Worker, Acute Respite Care

Sherbourne Health; Toronto; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A community health services provider in Toronto seeks a Community Health Worker for its Acute Respite Care program. This role involves supporting clients who are homeless or underhoused with their health and social needs, conducting assessments, and fostering connections with community resources. Candidates should have a background in social services and experience with marginalized populations. Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits included.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)

Four weeks vacation per year

Personal days

Extended healthcare and dental package

Long-term disability insurance

Professional development budget

Paid professional development days

Qualifications

• Experience working with marginalized individuals, particularly those affected by homelessness and mental health issues.
• 3+ years of experience in similar roles, preferably in social services.

Responsibilities

• Conduct ongoing social assessments of clients.
• Maintain accurate EMR documentation.
• Assist clients with activities of daily living as needed.
• Collaborate on the development of client care plans.
• Facilitate health and wellness programming for clients.

Skills

Understanding of trauma and health determinants

Strong interpersonal and communication skills

Ability to work within a harm reduction framework

Ability to manage challenging encounters

Ability to use computer technology

Ability to adapt to changing workloads

Education

Post Secondary Education in Social Services

Basic Cardiac Life Support certification

Job description

internal/external posting

job title: Community Health Worker, Acute Respite Care

job ID #: ARC FTCHW 25-0911

department: Acute Respite Care

reports to: Senior Manager, Acute Respite Care

salary range: (CS1) $20.54 – $28.36 per hour

status: Permanent, Full Time

hours: 12-hour shifts (days, nights, and weekends)

Who we are

Sherbourne is a leading provider of quality health care and transformative support to people who face social, economic, and other systemic barriers. Our mission is to be a dynamic provider of integrated health services, community programs and capacity-building initiatives that enable people and diverse communities to achieve wellness.

Sherbourne provides innovative health care and social services to the diverse urban population of southeast Toronto. While our doors are open to everyone, we focus on people experiencing homelessness or who are under-housed; 2SLGBTQ+, and newcomers to Canada. We are funded by the Ministry of Health, Ontario Health, Ministry of Community, Children and Social Services, the City of Toronto and many generous donors and foundations.

About the role

The ARC Program is a short-term, 24/7 medical respite program for people who are homeless, underhoused and/or socially isolated who need a safe place to recuperate from an acute medical condition, illness, injury, or surgery. ARC also has 4 beds dedicated to support individuals recovering from transition related surgeries.

As a Community Health Worker, you are a team player who is an integral member of an interdisciplinary team to support clients of the ARC program. Working with the team, your role is to support the improvement of the unique health needs of ARC clients by providing client centred care and working collaboratively with the clients, the ARC and Sherbourne team, community members and partners. The Community Health Worker will serve as a bridge between the healthcare system and the community, aiming to improve health outcomes and reduce health disparities.

The ARC program serves people who are homeless, underhoused or socially isolated, which will include diverse communities served by Sherbourne including, newcomers, 2SLGTBQ, and those with mental health issues, and/or substance use issues.

Scope of the mandate

The Community Health Worker completes ongoing social assessments of clients during their stay and works with the client to determine what supports they will need to improve their overall health and wellbeing both during their time in ARC and upon their discharge. They will assist clients with carrying out various aspects of daily living in partnership with other team members, both in ARC at and with community organizations

They will provide services including but not limited to; assistance with personal hygiene, engaging in health teaching, making community connections, carrying out delegated procedures, providing health teaching, offering emotional support, accompanying persons to medical appointments, life skills teaching, direct assistance with life tasks such as budgeting, appointment scheduling, connecting with support services, housing support, coordinating service delivery and co-ordination, developing relationships with community providers, and other assigned tasks. provides services and support to individuals with a broad range of mental health, physical health and substance use issues.

The Community Health Worker position requires sound judgement in working with high-risk situations (e.g. substance use, serious medical conditions) while operating within trauma informed care, anti-oppression and harm reduction frameworks. The Community health worker will stay updated on health-related information, community resources, and best practices in the field through training and professional development opportunities.

Working at Sherbourne

At Sherbourne Health, we care about our staff and recognize that our biggest strength is our people. We have a solid commitment to life-long learning which is demonstrated through our professional development program. We invest in collective work and staff training to improve client care. We supplement this by creating a low-barrier work environment built on equity and respect, while working together in caring, cohesive teams and providing opportunities for advancement.

we believe in work-life balance and offer:

• A competitive salary.
• Membership in Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP).
• Four weeks of vacation per year (to start).
• Four personal days per year.
• An extended healthcare and dental package.
• Long-term disability insurance.
• Life insurance.
• An employee assistance plan.
• A generous professional development plan: up to $1300 to be used towards learning activities.
• Six fully paid professional development days per year – related to position/responsibilities.

Responsibilities and Tasks

• Ongoing social assessments of ARC clients
• Maintain accurate and detailed EMR documentation of services provided and interactions with clients and providers both within ARC/SH and the community.
• Provide assistance with activities of daily living (when necessary), teaching on broad determinants of health, social issues and harm reduction.
• Support with client accompaniments to appointments
• Contribute to the development, updating and completion of client care plans in collaboration with the client and ARC team.
• Provide programming for ARC clients to improve their health and mental wellbeing such as workshops on nutrition, exercise, hygiene, financial planning, etc. As well as leisure activities such as craft nights, excursions, etc.
• Actively participate in daily client rounds providing expert insight into social care needs
• Support discharge planning by assisting clients to complete and submit referrals, identifying potential discharge destinations, and providing logistical support as needed
• Stay up to date on community trends, program outcomes and any other data relevant to improving the ARC program
• Actively participates in Sherbourne meetings, committees, projects and events.

To thrive in this role, you’ll need

Education/Experience

• Post Secondary Education in Social Services and/or successful completion of the Personal Support Worker Certificate OR equivalent formal training or equivalent formal training or extensive experience in settings providing assistance with social assessments, case management, personal care and activities of daily living.
• Basic Cardiac Life Support certification
• At least 3 years experience in working with persons marginalized by poverty, discrimination, mental health/substance use issues and/or homelessness.

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrates an understanding of the intersections between trauma, determinants of health and issues around homelessness, mental health and substance use.
• Ability to work flexible hours as needed to meet the needs of clients.
• Ability to work within a harm reduction framework.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, written and verbal.
• Ability to manage challenging encounters and de-escalate situations, formal training is an asset.
• Proven ability to work within a health care team
• Ability to use computer technology, including electronic medical records.
• Ability to follow through and follow up on delegated tasks in a defined manner.
• Ability to adapt to a constantly changing workload in a fast-paced setting while meeting the needs of multiple people.
• Ability to work within an anti-oppression framework; understands and appreciates the diversity of our client and staff population and community.
• Engages in ethical conduct, follows established policies and procedures, using sound judgement.

Conditions of employment

• Offer of employment is contingent upon satisfactory outcome of background checks i.e., professional references, education verification, criminal background check, and vulnerable sector check.
• Understands and works within the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA), Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), the Ontario Human Rights Code and other relevant legislation.
• Demonstrates a commitment to a healthy and safe workplace for self and others (staff, patients, families, etc.) by taking all reasonable precautions and working in compliance with SHC related policies, health and safety legislation and best practices.

Working conditions

• The Community Health Worker is expected to work days, evenings, nights and/or weekends in order to be available to the health and social needs of the clients
• The shift rotation will be Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. (one weekdays and one weeknights).

To apply: Please forward a cover letter and resume (saved as one document) quoting Job ID # ARC FTCHW 25-0911 to [e-mail] by September 29, 2025.

Sherbourne is dedicated to building an organization that reflects the diversity of our clients and the communities we serve. This includes diversity in languages spoken, culture, race, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Requests for accommodation due to disability can be made at any stage in the recruitment process.

We thank all applicants for their interest but only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

BOLD. KIND. REAL. OPEN. WE CARE.