Health and Wellness Navigator

Kerrstreet; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 64,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development and training

Employee discounts

Staff appreciation events

Job summary

Wesley is seeking a dynamic Health and Wellness Navigator to provide on-site mental health and harm reduction support within the Emergency Supportive Housing Program in Hamilton, Ontario. You will work in a multidisciplinary team to assist individuals experiencing homelessness and those with acute substance use and mental health needs using a trauma-informed, client-directed approach.

The role is unionized, full-time and permanent, with a pay rate of CAD 30.76 per hour and a 40-hour work week.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years of relevant, practical experience with the target population and a post-secondary degree from a recognized educational institution in Human Services, Social Work or a related field
• Preference for OC SW/SW registration in good standing
• ASSIST and Mental Health First Aid certification would be a valuable asset
• FIRST Aid and CPR
• Knowledge of mental health and addiction assessment tools (OCAN, PROM and LOCUS)
• Must have a valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle

Responsibilities

• Complete comprehensive assessments and service plans with participants.
• Assist with de-escalation, crisis management, referrals, harm reduction support, and safety planning.
• Engage with participants to build rapport and trust.
• Manage Harm Reduction/Safe Supply and Naloxone on site and train staff and participants.
• Liaise with community partners to develop housing and treatment pathways.
• Attend daily wellness checks with support staff.
• Collaborate on service plans reflecting housing goals and recovery pathways.
• Refer and coordinate medical and community services.
• Support moves into accommodations and referrals to local services.
• Maintain regular communication with administrators and partners to ensure integrated support.

Skills

Harm reduction concepts

Trauma-informed care

Education

Post-secondary degree in Human Services/related field

Job description

Have you heard of us?

Wesley is a long-standing local non-profit and a certified Ontario Living Wage Network (OLWN) employer. We are passionate about assisting people struggling with poverty. Our work is focused on children and family programs, housing & homelessness, and resettling newcomers to Canada in Hamilton, Halton, and Brantford.

We are deeply committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where every individual feels valued and respected. Our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) policies are integral to our mission and practices. We believe that a diverse team brings a wealth of perspectives and experiences that enhance our ability to serve our community effectively.

All members of our organization are expected to embrace and actively participate in our EDI initiatives. By joining our team, you will be contributing to an environment that promotes equity, respect, and inclusion for all.

Are you the one we’re looking for?

We are seeking a dynamic, highly motivated Health and Wellness Navigator who demonstrates our values of compassion, accountability, responsiveness and empowerment; to our clients, families and each other.

The Health and Wellness Navigator is reporting to the Manager, Community Housing Services, Halton, this position will provide on-site mental health and harm reduction support to people utilizing the Emergency Supportive Housing Program. Within a multi-disciplinary team, you will actively provide support and therapeutic services to individuals experiencing homelessness and/or living with acute substance use and related health and mental health issues. Services are based on a harm reduction, trauma-informed, and client-directed approach to service delivery.

This position is aunionized, full-time, permanentposition. The rate of pay is$30.76per hour. Hours per week are 40.

Key Responsibilities:

• Complete a comprehensive assessment and service plan. Assist participants in identifying areas of need and goal development, ensuring goals are attainable and time-specific, and that the participant plays an integral role in the decision-making process.
• Assist with supporting participants with de-escalation, crisis management, referrals for specialized care, consults, harm reduction support, and the development of crisis and safety plans.
• Engage with participants informally and formally on a regular basis to build rapport and trust.
• Manage Harm Reduction/ Safe Supply and Naloxone Supplies on site and ensure all staff and program participants are trained on use.
• Liaise with community partners to develop housing and treatment pathways.
• Attend daily wellness checks in conjunction with additional support staff.
• Collaborate with intensive case managers and participants to develop service plans to reflect housing goals, recovery pathways, life skills, education, employment planning and after care as well as informal counselling.
• Refer and coordinate required medical and/or community services.
• Assist participants with their move into accommodations and referral to local services.
• Maintain regular, effective communication with administrators, community partners and physicians, to ensure an integrated approach that will provide the best support possible for participants to maintain housing.
• Attend and engage in regular visits with participants to provide supports specific to daily living skills, conflict resolution, crisis intervention and prevention, budgeting assistance, financial literacy, harm reduction, and safe use practices, in collaboration with the assigned ICMs through the Emergency Supportive Housing Program.
• Work cooperatively as a member of the program team. Participate in community and team meetings. Participate in the development, implementation, and evaluation of services provided.
• Maintain appropriate and accurate record-keeping practice, as per expectations of Wesley.
• Support with on-call rotation coverage.
• Other duties as assigned.

What you will bring:

• Minimum of three years of relevant, practical experience with the target population and a post-secondary degree from a recognized educational institution in Human Services, Social Work or a related field
• Preference will be given to candidates with registration and member in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW)
• ASSIST and Mental Health First Aid certification would be a valuable asset.
• FIRST Aid and CPR
• Knowledge and use of various mental health and addiction assessment tools would be ideal. (e.g., OCAN, PROM and LOCUS).
• Must be able to meet travel expectations of the position; a valid Driver’s license and access to a vehicle.
• Lived experience is an asset.

Invest in Yourself as we Invest in You! Wesley offers…

• A positive work culture that prioritizes all staff having an opportunity to contribute
• A supportive team that will empower you to achieve great milestones!
• Fun and engaging organizational events such as our Staff Appreciation Event
• Professional development and training opportunities
• Employee Discounts

• Evening and Weekend scheduling and availability
• Daytime shift (Some flex expected for housing purposes)

Wesley is an equal-opportunity employer. We encourage applications from all qualified applicants. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please. More information about Wesley can be found on our website at www.wesley.ca.