Primary Counsellor

Tamir Foundation; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The Tamir Foundation is seeking a Primary Counsellor to support individuals with developmental disabilities. The role focuses on assisting participants in achieving personal goals and ensuring their health and well-being through individualized support plans. Ideal candidates will possess relevant educational backgrounds and experience in caregiving, alongside strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Benefits

Company events

Company pension

Dental care

Employee assistance program

Extended health care

Life insurance

On-site parking

Paid time off

Qualifications

• 1 year experience with developmental disabilities preferred.
• Current CPR and First Aid Training required.
• Valid G class driver's license with good driving record preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support participants in achieving personal goals and maintaining well-being.
• Dispense medications and assist with personal care.
• Advocate for participants in community and health settings.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Case management

Education

DSW or Degree/Diploma in Social Sciences

High school education with 4 years of relevant experience

Tools

MS Word

Job description

Working within the philosophy of TAMIR, the Primary Counsellor is responsible for assisting participants to achieve their personal goals, maintain their best possible health and well-being, and develop skills and a sense of self worth through an individualized support plan created to meet the participant’s unique interests and needs.

Under the general supervision of the Program Supervisor, Tamir Primary Counsellors have responsibility for the day to day care of individuals, supported by Tamir, whether in their homes or in the community. All work is conducted in a manner consistent with Tamir’s vision, mission and values statements, following the principles of the Quality Enhancement (QE) initiative at Tamir. These principles include demonstrating the utmost respect for our participants, ensuring their safety, well-being and daily care, providing meaningful choices and activities and assisting participants to achieve their personal goals, as defined through our individualized, personal outcome planning process.

The following duties are performed to varying degrees based on the individual participant abilities and need:

1. Participant Support and Advocacy.

• Develop a respectful, positive and consistent relationship with participants
• Learn the personal history, strengths and needs of the primary participants, as well as their preferences and apply this knowledge in the development of their individual support plans
• Promote and assist with maintaining the mental and physical health and well being of participants while ensuring a safe and healthy environment
• Accompany residents to medical and other appointments and act as advocate, as required
• Dispense medications and other treatments, as required, and according to Tamir procedures
• Provide assistance with personal care including nutrition, hygiene, grooming, maintaining clothing, personal possessions, etc. as required
• Become familiar with, and facilitate participation in, Jewish cultural and religious practices, and support individuals to participate in other cultural and religious activities of their choice
• Support individuals to exercise choice and assume responsibility in making decisions in their lives, at the same time balancing the need for safety and security
• Provide comprehensive and responsive case management for primary participants
• Develop, implement and evaluate programming, goals, quarterly reports and POP’s for, and with the involvement of, primary participant
• Develop and implement Personal Outcome Plans (POP’s) in partnership with participants, staff, families and others of importance
• Assist participants to become involved in recreational/educational/employment or other interests as identified in their POP
• Facilitate the development of active, involved support networks for participants
• Develop and maintain communication with family, friends, external program staff, supervisor, and others of importance to the participants as required
• Advocate with community groups, employers and others in the community to promote the participation of people with developmental disabilities
• Identify and advocate for change in supports which may impede the realization of participant goals
• Assist participants in managing personal finances, as required
• Coordinate, monitor and inform the Program Supervisor of status of program and goals for primary participants
• Actively advocate to the supervisor and team to ensure the best care possible for primary participant

2. Administration

• Be familiar with and adhere to Tamir policies and procedures, as well as Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services operational guidelines and relevant legislation
• Operate under the guidelines of Tamir health and safety policies and procedures and follow safe practices
• Maintain complete information for each primary participant and respect confidentiality
• Maintain appropriate documentation for all areas of responsibility, according to established Tamir policies and procedures, for example daily log, accident/incident reports, petty cash, and serious occurrence forms
• Report all unsafe conditions, damages, hazards, accidents or incidents to Program Supervisor
• Perform other administrative tasks as assigned by the Program Supervisor.
• Assist with orientation and training of program staff and volunteers
• Maintain all mandatory training requirements in a timely fashion, as well as keep security and medical checks current
• Participate on staff committees as assigned

3. Professional Conduct

• Promote and demonstrate respect and value for the Jewish culture and religion, and the vision and mission statements of the agency, within the workplace and in the community
• Demonstrate positive, respectful and professional relationships within the team, including staff, families, volunteers and the community
• Attend and actively participate in team meetings, eliciting and representing the needs of the participants supported within the program
• Contribute to a positive work environment, by utilizing effective communication skills, conducting job functions with initiative, enthusiasm and sound judgement, and contributing to the team in an organized and productive manner.
• Be punctual and dependable in the completion of assigned duties
• Pursue professional development opportunities, as recommended by the supervisor, or if staff recognizes a gap in their skill set that is preventing them from providing the best possible care to their participants

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected. It is not an inclusive listing of all activities, but is designed to be used in combination with program responsibilities and shift routines. Staff may be asked to perform other duties as required.

To ensure that Tamir is able to remain responsive to participant or program needs, job specifications may be changed or altered as required.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Staff may be required to perform any or all of the following duties in the course of their work:

• Working with people requiring support to manage emotional, psychological and physical behavioural challenges
• A risk of exposure to communicable/contagious diseases
• Completion of general household duties that may require lifting, bending, pushing, pulling, or twisting
• Lifting, move or transferring people who require mobility assistance
• Attending to personal needs
• May be required to work alone
• Must be able to operate a vehicle

QUALIFICATIONS

• DSW and 1 year of experience working with persons with developmental disabilities is preferred OR Degree/Diploma in Social Sciences, health administration or related field, and 2 years of experience working with persons with developmental disabilities is preferred OR High school education with 4 years of relevant experience working with persons with developmental disabilities, including strong case management, is preferred Certifications
• Valid G class driver’s license, with good driving record preferred
• Current CPR and First Aid Training
• Basic word processing skills (MS Word preferred) Other
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Good interpersonal skills
• Company events
• Company pension
• Dental care
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Monday to Friday

START DATE: 10/30/2023

Let us know if you are interested in this position. Complete this short form and we will follow up with you promptly.

Job Position

Name *

Email Address *

Telephone Number

I consent to receiving information from CERC. *