Nanaimo Housing Support Worker

Vancouver-Island-Mental-Health-Society; Nanaimo; On-site; CAD 48,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Casual dress

Company pension

Dental care

Employee assistance program

Extended health care

On-site parking

Paid time off

Job summary

Vancouver-Island-Mental-Health-Society is seeking a Housing Support Worker in Nanaimo, BC. They provide information on housing guidelines, orientation for new residents, and support with daily living activities while promoting independence.

The role emphasizes safety, crisis response, and maintaining building cleanliness, with duties spanning resident support, maintenance, and record-keeping on-site.

Qualifications

• Minimum 6 months of recent related experience and a community support worker diploma or equivalent education and training.
• Valid First Aid Certificate with CPR-C.
• Valid Food Safe Level One Certification.
• Naloxone Training.
• Crisis Intervention Skills Training (non-violent crisis intervention) is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Provide program residents with information about housing and housing guidelines.
• Offer orientation for residents moving into housing.
• Promote activities of daily living (cooking, cleaning, laundry) and support positive resident choices with guidance.
• Encourage personal hygiene and guidance on using on-site laundry facilities.
• Provide emotional, organizational, and practical support to residents.
• Maintain safety by modeling communication, boundaries, and healthy living choices.
• Assist residents in completing housing applications and required paperwork.
• Report maintenance issues and maintain a high standard of cleanliness following protocols.
• Monitor resident behavior and respond to crises in line with safety procedures.
• Document breaches of resident policy and notify appropriate parties.
• Maintain inventory, filing, and record-keeping.

Skills

Empathy

Rapport building

Harm reduction

Mental health awareness

Homelessness knowledge

Crisis response

Physical capability

Stair climbing

Education

Community support worker diploma or equivalent

First Aid with CPR-C

Food Safe Level One

Naloxone training

Job description

The Housing Support Worker (HSW) provides assistance and support to residents of 1030 Old Victoria Rd in Nanaimo, BC. The HSW ensures the safety and security of the building(s) while encouraging independence, responsibility, and the healthiest lifestyle possible for program residents. Resident support, maintenance and janitorial duties are also part of this role.

Education and Experience

• Minimum 6 months recent related experience and community support worker diploma, or equivalent education and training.
• Valid First Aid Certificate with CPR-C.
• Valid Food Safe Level One Certification.
• Naloxone Training.
• Crisis Intervention Skills Training (non-violent crisis intervention/ managing hostile interactions) an asset.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to develop rapport with marginalized individuals
• High level of empathy and compassion
• Knowledge of harm reduction approach
• Knowledge of mental health, substance use disorders, and homelessness
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment
• Physical ability to clean, climb stairs, and respond in crises

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Company pension
• Dental care
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• On-site parking
• Paid time off

Duties and Responsibilities

Resident Support

• Provide program residents with information about housing and housing guidelines.
• Provide orientation for residents moving into housing.
• Promote positive resident choices about activities of daily living (cooking, cleaning, laundry) and support positive resident choices by providing guidance and assistance where appropriate.
• Encourage personal hygiene when appropriate, including providing instruction to residents on how to use on-site laundry facilities.
• Encourage and support residents and provide information, emotional, organizational, and practical support.
• Provides safe, friendly encouragement to residents, model communication skills, appropriate boundaries and healthy living choices.
• Assist residents in completing paperwork as required, including housing applications.

Cleaning and Maintenance

• Report any building maintenance issues
• Maintain a high standard of cleanliness, adhere to enhanced cleaning protocols and ensure protocols are maintained.
• Clean and prepare pods for move-ins according to established room cleaning protocols.
• Re-stock facility supplies and notifies supervisor when purchases are necessary.
• Maintain security of the building by performing regular walk throughs to check that doors and windows are secure.

Safety and Security

• Observe and report any changes in resident behavior.
• Investigate and manage disturbances according to VIMHS safety policies and procedures.
• Deal with resident emergencies in accordance with VIMHS safety protocols, and report to supervisors and/ or authorities as required.
• Request unwelcome visitors exit the building and/or obtaining appropriate services to assist.
• Document all breaches of resident policy and ensures appropriate parties are notified.

Monitoring/Evaluation/Record Keeping:

• Complete intake and discharge procedures.
• Record observations to keep staff informed.
• Maintain inventory and submit supply requisition as required.
• Maintain filing and paperwork.