Outreach Support Worker, Substance Use

Fraser Health; Chilliwack; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dedicated team at a leading health organization committed to making a difference in the lives of individuals and families. This role as an Outreach Support Worker involves providing essential community-based support services to clients facing mental health and substance use challenges. You'll empower clients through life skills training, advocacy, and support, while working collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to a caring environment that values diversity and respect, making a significant impact on the well-being of the community you serve. If you're passionate about helping others and ready to make a positive change, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Qualifications

• Diploma in Community Social Services required, with 2 years of related experience.
• Current CPR and Food Safe certificates are mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Provide outreach support and life skills training to clients.
• Document client progress and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.
• Advocate for clients in various situations and maintain safety.

Skills

Knowledge of Mental Health Act

Effective Communication

Problem Solving

Teaching Life Skills

Advocacy Skills

Team Collaboration

Sound Judgment

Education

Diploma in Community Social Services

CPR Certificate

Food Safe Certificate

Tools

Personal Vehicle

Job description

Salary

The salary range for this position is CAD $31.56 - $33.28 / hour
Job Summary

We invite you to apply today and find out why employees recommend Fraser Health to their friends as an exceptional place to work. We are committed to planetary health, we value diversity in the workforce and seek to maintain an environment of Respect, Caring, and Trust.

If you're ready to join a team dedicated to providing competent care and support, apply now! Together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of individuals and families, empowering them on their journey to recovery.

Detailed Overview

Reporting to the Care Coordinator, as a member of a Mental Health & Substance Use Services (MH&SUS) multidisciplinary team, the Outreach Support Worker provides outreach community-based support services, assists in mental health and substance use treatment, provides life skills training, coaching, advocacy, and support to clients experiencing mental health, behavioral, and developmental problems and to their caregivers/families, in accordance with an established plan of treatment/care. Motivates, assists, and instructs clients with the activities of daily living, reports clients' progress and condition, including reactions to medications.

Responsibilities

1. Observes the client during interviews and assesses their behavior to identify problems and needs, solicits client feedback, inquiries, and complaints; responds to client needs as appropriate.
2. Encourages and promotes independence and self-sufficiency for clients and their caregivers/families; develops short-term strategies to deal with various situations.
3. Provides feedback and suggested recommendations to the treatment plans within established guidelines.
4. Documents the care requested and progress made in the communications books; maintains client records.
5. Reports regularly to the multidisciplinary team on the condition, behaviour, performance, progress, and care needs of clients and their caregivers/families.
6. Provides support services, coaching, and behavior modeling for the client and their caregivers/families to assist with the development of physical, social, emotional, and life-skills, including all activities of daily living, interpersonal skills, meal planning and preparation, and household and budget management.
7. Consults and works cooperatively with community agencies and families to maintain coordination in the service and treatment process.
8. Acts as an advocate for the client in dispute situations by responding to and/or coordinating response to problems regarding landlord-tenant issues, financial assistance, or accessing community resources and housing, and developing workable solutions that meet the needs of the client.
9. Observes and supports individuals in appropriate medication management, in accordance with the plan of treatment/care and established policies and procedures.
10. Observes and monitors clients in accordance with the plan of treatment/care, assesses and responds to potential emergency or crisis situations in accordance with established procedures (i.e., call 911). Provides feedback and recommendations to the treatment/care plan, including strategies to resolve situations, and referring for professional intervention, as required.
11. Documents client progress to maintain a permanent record of client activity according to established methods and procedures.
12. Participates in providing substance use treatment, home finding, and general housing support (moving, packing, cleaning), individual and personal care services.
13. Provides individual vocational supportive counseling and other work-related supportive services.
14. Maintains an awareness of community resources, including health care services, social, economic, recreational, employment, and educational services and resources, and other agencies and shares that information as required.
15. Facilitates client attendance at appointments, programs, and services including escorting or accompanying clients to appointments, and for shopping and leisure activities, including driving a vehicle. Participates in and supervises social and recreational activities as required.
16. Teaches, demonstrates, models, and supports home maintenance and household management methods. Provides basic information to clients related to activities of daily living, e.g., housekeeping, yard maintenance, meal planning and preparation, grocery shopping, and managing monthly living expenses.
17. Ensures a safe and healthy working environment by observing universal precautions and infection control procedures; removing obvious hazards; reporting faulty equipment, accidents, injuries, and near misses; and adhering to and enforcing rules regarding safety.
18. Participates in staff meetings, quality improvement initiatives, committees and in-services, and maintains up-to-date knowledge through involvement in work-related continuing education, as required.
19. Provides direction to volunteers and assists with orientation of new staff and educational experiences of students, as well as sharing expertise with other members of the team, as required.
20. Performs other related duties as required.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

Diploma in Community Social Services, e.g., Mental Health Worker, Community Health Worker, or Social Services Worker including post-secondary education in counselling skills training.

Two (2) years recent related experience working with individuals with mental illness/substance use issues including teaching life skills, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Current CPR certificate. Current Food Safe certificate. Valid Class 5 BC Drivers Licence and access to a personal vehicle with appropriate business insurance coverage.

Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of legislation such as the Mental Health Act and the Guardianship Act.
• Knowledge of available programs, their interrelationships, and their function in delivering care in the community.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to deal with others effectively.
• Ability to prioritize and organize client demands made and care needs.
• Ability to problem solve.
• Ability to teach life skills.
• Sound judgment and good observation skills.
• Ability to demonstrate an appropriate level of initiative and independence.
• Ability to work cooperatively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to promote positive change and independence.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.
• Ability to operate related equipment.
• Advocacy skills.

About Fraser Health

Fraser Health is the heart of health care for over two million people in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley in British Columbia, Canada, on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded lands of the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux Nations and is home to 32 First Nations within the Fraser Salish region.

People - those we care for and those who care for them - are at the heart of everything we do. Our hospital and community-based services are delivered by a team of 48,000+ staff, medical staff, and volunteers.

We are committed to planetary health and value diversity in the workforce. We strive to maintain an environment of respect, caring, and trust. Fraser Health’s hiring practices aspire to ensure all individuals are treated in an inclusive, equitable and culturally safe manner.

Together, we are the heart of health care.