Outreach Support Worker, Indigenous

Location: New Westminster

Detailed Overview

Reporting to the Care Coordinator and as a member of the assigned multidisciplinary team, the Outreach Support Worker provides Indigenous clients struggling with homelessness and living with substance use/mental illness/chronic medical concerns with outreach community based support services, assists in mental health and substance use treatment, provides life skills training, coaching, emotional and social support, advocacy, information, and resources 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. Collaborates with the client and other members of the assigned team to meet individual needs and situational requirements by providing information and resources to assist clients to obtain services from other Fraser Health staff, Indigenous communities and organizations, and other external community resources.

Works collaboratively with the assigned team to ensure the client’s self-identified goals for recovery and community connection are supported by appropriate services and practices, and are consistent with the values of self-determination/choice and harm reduction. Provides culturally safe and culturally competent services in a variety of environments dependent on the needs of the client. Responsibilities Facilitate connections that increase accessibility to Indigenous (First Nation, Métis and Inuit) cultural services.

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. Encourages and promotes independence and self-sufficiency for clients and their caregivers/families; develops short-term strategies to deal with various situations. Provides feedback and suggested recommendations to the treatment plans within established guidelines. Documents the care requested and progress made in the communications books;

maintains client records. Reports regularly to the multidisciplinary team on the condition, behaviour, performance, progress, and care needs of clients and their caregivers/families. Provides support services, coaching and behavior modeling for the client and their caregivers/families to assist with the development of physical, social, emotion and life-skills, including all activities of daily living, interpersonal skills, meal planning and preparation, and household and budget management.

Consults and works cooperatively with community agencies and families to maintain coordination in the service and treatment process. 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. Observes and supports individuals in appropriate medication management, in accordance with the plan of treatment/care and established policies and procedures.

Observes and monitors clients in accordance with plan of treatment/care, assesses and responds in potential emergency or crisis situations in accordance with established procedures i.e. call . Provides feedback and recommendations to the treatment/care plan, including strategies to resolve situations, and referring for professional intervention, as required. Documents client progress to maintain permanent record of client activity according to established methods and procedures.

Participates in providing substance use treatment, home finding and general housing support (moving, packing, cleaning), individual and personal care services. Provides individual vocational supportive counseling and other work related supportive services. Maintains an awareness of community resources, including health care services, social, economic, recreational, employment, and educational services and resources, First Nations…