Casual Personal Support Worker, Main Street Program

All employment is subject to a satisfactory result from a criminal record check done through the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.

Please note that only those selected for interviews will be contacted. Thank you for your interest.

Job Description – Personal Support Worker

Main Street Program

Job Summary

Located in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, the Main Street supportive housing program situated at 162 Main Street consists of 68 units of self-contained apartments for individuals existing homelessness, many of whom have experienced a history of trauma, substance use, and/or mental health challenges.

Working in and from the worksite, the Personal Support Worker provides assistance, support and basic skill training to program participants in their living environment while encouraging independence, responsibility, and healthy lifestyle choices.

This Personal Support Worker position would focus on providing enhanced support to program participants that have been referred by Vancouver Coastal Health, with a focus on medication support, hygiene assistance, housekeeping, and coordination of community resources.

Functions & Responsibilities

1. Assists clients with activities of daily living such as personal hygiene, grooming, toileting, housekeeping and other life skills.
2. Participates in case planning with clients and/or healthcare providers by performing duties such as interviewing clients to identify problems and needs, by obtaining required information from a variety of sources such as families and care providers, documenting client needs and wants, and assisting clients to determine appropriate programs.
3. Advocates for clients by problem solving in areas such as landlord-tenant disputes, financial assistance, accessing community resources, and obtaining volunteer or work placements.
4. Observes clients, identifies and assesses potential emergency situations, and develops short-term strategies to deal with such situations including de-escalating challenging behaviours. Reports medical, behavioral, and other problems as required. Provides feedback and input regarding clients’ needs, performance, and progress.
5. Provides supportive feedback, demonstrations, modeling, and behavior management to clients, their families, and their personal networks, to assist with the development of physical, social, emotional, and life skills such as maintaining personal hygiene, housekeeping, meal planning and preparation, meeting financial obligations, making and keeping appointments, and interpersonal skills.
6. Provides medication support, in accordance with established policy.
7. Provides meal programs or support in accordance with established policy.
8. Identifies available social, economic, recreational, and educational services and resources in the community that will meet clients’ needs. Provides clients with related information.
9. Facilitates clients’ physical, recreational, educational, and employment needs by performing duties such as arranging for clients to be transported to programs/services, assisting clients to attend appointments, and implementing programs.
10. Carries out administrative transactions such as petty cash..
11. Completes and maintains related records and documentation such as care plans, progress reports, statistics, and daily logs.
12. Ensures the maintenance, cleanliness, and safety of programs and residence by completing janitorial and maintenance tasks as directed. Contacts outside contractors for maintenance work as required. Ensures the residence’s inventory of supplies is maintained by performing duties such as contacting outside suppliers and following up on discrepancies. Assists clients to secure their housing, negotiate tenancy/program agreements, arrange for security deposits and payments of rent, acquiring furnishings and household items, arranging for utilities, negotiating moving allowances, arranging for movers and physically assisting with moves.
13. Receives client feedback, and inquiries and complaints, and responds as required.
14. Orientates new staff by sharing job information.
15. Provides direction to volunteer and or practicum students as required.
16. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education, Training & Experience

1. Registration with the BC Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry (HCA Registration)
2. Resident Care Attendant Certificate or B.A. in Behavioral Science or Diploma in Community Social Service – Mental Health preferred
3. And recent, related experience in a like setting of two (2) years
4. Or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience or other qualifications determined to be reasonable and relevant to the level of work
5. Extensive working knowledge of psychosocial rehabilitation approaches and services including individual service plan development and implementation and life skills training
6. A solid background and knowledge of concurrent disorders with related work experience
7. Certificates in CPR, First Aid, and Food Safe
8. Satisfactory Criminal Record Check

Skills & Abilities

1. Ability to work in a harm reduction environment which includes an observed consumption area, as well as familiarization with the principles of harm reduction.
2. Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.
3. Able to work independently with minimal supervision, exercise initiative and good judgment
4. Ability to operate related equipment.
5. Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
6. Ability to organize and prioritize.
7. Ability to observe and recognize changes in clients.
8. Ability to establish and maintain rapport with clients, staff and management and collateral service providers.
9. Home management skills.
10. Ability to instruct.
11. Ability to analyze and resolve problems.
12. Conflict resolution and crisis intervention skills.
13. Ability to assist with medication support and to follow established policies and procedures.
14. Advocacy skills.
15. Knowledge of Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Concurrent Disorders including theories and methods.