Mental Health Support Worker jobs in London, ON

Unity Project is a Housing Focused Emergency Shelter and Housing Program that provides services to people of all genders experiencing homelessness in London.

As a Frontline Support Worker you will be responsible for maintaining a stable and supportive environment providing solutions-based interventions, care and support to participants experiencing homelessness at the Unity Project. The position requires that you be able to perform daily responsibilities, adequately analyze and act upon conflicts among community members, support full-time workers in maintaining resident support plans and communicate effectively with other staff and residents.

This position is for Monday-Friday 3:30-11:30pm . This position qualifies for full time group benefits, Group RRSP's, vacation and personal days.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Supporting Participants through a Housing First Approach:

• Utilize the diversion process to seek alternatives to shelter for participants who have safe, accessible alternatives;
• Complete intake and orientation to services and facilities when an individual enters shelter;
• Assign supports according to individual needs using assessment tools;
• Participate in shared case-management that is housing focused. For full-time FSW’s this includes maintaining a caseload of participants as the primary caseworker and meeting with assigned participants on a regular basis as per policy;
• Understand and implement a harm reduction approach in all interactions;
• Employ assertive engagement and motivational interviewing techniques when communicating with participants;
• Mediate and assist in resolving conflicts among participants and facilitate open and honest dialogue;
• Utilize a trauma-informed approach;
• Effectively work to resolve situations in which participants are presenting in crisis;
• Utilize all available community partners for appropriate referrals that support the creation of and execution of housing and support plans;
• Participate in case conferences as the need arises;
• Advocate to ensure participants can access necessary medical care that addresses their physical, dental and mental health;
• Maintain the highest level of confidentiality and consent within all interactions;
• Administer first aid as required, including the use of naloxone as a response to opioid overdoses and exercise universal precautions.

Employ the Core Values and Culture of the Organization:

• Understand and employ the core values of respect, compassion, cooperation and interdependence;
• Work within a team approach to effectively support participants;
• Participate in own goal setting and regularly attend to your own professional development;
• Attend training and learning opportunities offered through the Unity Project and its partners. This includes regularly scheduled staff meetings;
• Utilize creative, flexible approaches to supporting individuals recognizing their unique needs and circumstances;
• Participate in consensus decision-making;
• Participate in program development, needs identification, strategic planning and evaluation;
• Work to resolve any conflicts between you and your peers;
• Reflect and think critically about your own actions and engage in a process of continuous learning;
• Provide support in the moment to help participants achieve their goals;
• Complete all documentation and daily notes according to agency procedures;
• Supervise and assist volunteers and encourage volunteerism at the Unity Project;
• Execute a complete and effective transfer of shift, communicate to oncoming staff all updates or pertinent information in a clear, objective, factual manner;
• Know and abide by the Unity Project’s policy and procedures;
• Seek support from Leadership for any outstanding conflicts or issues that might be impacting your ability to perform job tasks effectively.

Maintain a Clean and Functional Facility:

• Ensure all shift tasks are completed by the end of a shift;
• Perform laundry, kitchen, bed change, and other cleaning duties as required for maximum health and safety of the Unity Project facility;
• Report any maintenance needs to the Facility Coordinator;
• Ensure adequate monitoring of facility;
• Demonstrate, instruct and coach pertinent life skills such as cleaning and cooking;
• Ensure aggressive and disruptive behavior is addressed in the moment;
• Monitor and ensure compliance from participants with policy and follow through with appropriate actions for non-compliance as per the policies and procedures.

Because of the changing nature of the work and the work to be done, the responsibilities and duties may be altered from time to time.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

Education: There are no specific academic qualifications required. However, education in the Humanities, Social Justice and/or Social Sciences is an asset

Experience: Some experience with the homelessness sector in a front-line capacity. Experience in a non-profit organization environment working with marginalized, disadvantaged individuals.

Training/Certificates:

• First Aid/CPR certification, or must be obtained within the first 3 months of employment.
• Other relevant training in areas of solutions-based interventions, crisis prevention, workplace health and safety are assets.
• 3 months probationary period in addition to initial training is required to become fully familiar with the front-line role.

Communication:

• Good verbal and written skills to communicate information to residents, other front-line staff members, the Manager, Board members and community services. Verbal communication skills necessary to convey information, participation in or facilitate group discussions and participate in consensus decision making.

Problem Solving/Decision Making:

• Ability to understand and solve problems that may simultaneously involve many systems (i.e. conflicts or issues that impact a number of levels within the Unity Project including staff, residents or other community agencies).
• Ability to analyze, interpret and manage impact of multiple perspectives.
• Ability to mediate and assist in resolving conflicts among residents
• Ability to perform crisis intervention independently and with a team approach.

Human Relations:

• Ability to understand the individual needs and goals of assigned residents and motivate and support their movement towards personal development.
• Ability to respectfully manage a variety of difficult human and social problems and identify methods of appropriate intervention.
• Ability to relate well with all levels of staff the agency and external community partners.
• Possesses skills of patience, diplomacy, consistency, assertiveness, and fairness.
• Possesses knowledge of the process of consensus decision-making.

Program Development:

• Ability to make recommendations on program planning and evaluation for the site and for new activities or agency policies.

Mental Stresses:

Unpredictable and threatening behaviour and proximity to distress are an integral part of this job. Skills of balancing conflicting needs and demands are necessary.

Working Conditions:

Working conditions are primarily pleasant at the sites. The successful candidate will possess a strong understanding of their own well-being and be able to deal with emotional stress and system frustrations, unpredictable and threatening behaviour, the possibility of exposure to communicable or infectious diseases and the handling and clean up of bodily fluids.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: From $24.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Dental care
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Paid time off
• Vision care

Application question(s):

• Must have direct experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness in a front line capacity. Those who complete a cover letter outling their specific experience that would relate to this role will be given priority consideration.

Experience:

• working with marginalized populations: 1 year (required)

Work Location: In person