Community Disability Support Worker

The Program
302-31 Edmonton Oak House

Hiring a highly qualified Support Worker to work with 2 clients (aged 17-31 yrs old) with complex needs, FASD, seizure, developmental delay, extensive trauma history and addictions.

These clients have challenges with addictions and establishing healthy boundaries with family & friends. Working from a harm reduction and holistic approach, the Disability Support Workers (DSW) will work one on one with each client on ISP goals and life skills development, including money management, as well as to model healthy relationships.
In Your Role You Will
- Independently work with each client towards achieving their Individual Support Plan (ISP) goals; encouraging them during setbacks and celebrating successes with them.
- Model healthy relationships and setting boundaries
- Assist client in developing life skills within their home including household chores (meal prep, cleaning, etc.) in a consistent, healthy & safe environment and their community.
- Connect the individual with their family, friends & community and encourage healthy relationship building.
- Drive client (in your own vehicle) within the community and supervise/participate with the client in recreational, leisure, vocational (training/employment)activities.
- Support/supervise complex behavioural, emotional and social needs/development (in the residence & during community activities); observing & documenting changes
- Use de-escalation techniques to deal with challenging behaviours on a daily basis.
- May be required to perform physical restraints (holds) on an individual to stop an individual from violent or destructive behaviours if risk to themselves or others.
- Assist in the design, implementation & evaluation of ISPs, program specific policies & procedures.
- Use computer program to write objective daily reports.
- Provide immediate support in crisis situations.
- Administer medication, first aid if/when necessary.

The Position
Challenging behaviours occur daily, therefore, only applicants with advanced critical thinking skills, proven de-escalation/harm reduction techniques and experience supporting persons with high behaviours with potential for aggression will be interviewed for this challenging position. Please provide a cover letter detailing your suitability for this role.
- The advertised rate of $20+/hr rate is the regular wage of $17+/hr plus the $3/hr complex needs rate. Regular rate is paid for training/meetings/non-complex needs work. *

Criminal Record Check/Ministry Check Statement
** Prior to confirmation of employment all applicants must provide a current (dated within 6 months of hiring date) Criminal Record Check and Ministry Check. These checks can take up to 6 weeks to obtain, please ensure you prepare accordingly.
- Previous experience supporting clients with substance abuse issues, complex behaviors and knowledgeable in using harm reduction techniques.
- Work well in an environment with potential for verbal/physical aggression.
- MUST HAVE 2 years experience working with an individual with complex mental health concerns, substance abuse, Harm Reduction techniques and/or trauma.
- Grade 12 Diploma minimum requirement; Prefer a Certificate, Diploma or Degree - Disability Service Worker, Special Education or related field;
- Valid class 5 driver license (or GDL and 2 years driving experience) with clear driving abstract and reliable vehicle
- Individual must be self motivated and critical thinking is required.
- Current First Aid/CPR and Non-Violent Crisis Intervention certification (NVCI or CPI)
- Training in Harm Reduction, Addictions, Trauma Informed Practice, Complex Needs, Behaviour Management.
- Confident & able to function in a crisis

What WJS Canada does
WJS helps people with developmental disabilities thrive in their communities through a variety of programs and services, including:

- Community-based homes and residential care
- Supportive Independent living
- Family support services, including respite care
- Day programs, community involvement, employment
- Behaviour, emotional and mental health support

Our Employees Enjoy
- A fair and equitable wage.
- An excellent Health and Dental benefit plan, with premiums paid by the employer
- Programming that meets current best practices.
- Innovation that sets and defines new standards of care.
- An empowering balance of independence and supervision.
- World-class staff training and personal development.

Website reference

Closing Statement
We recognize that equity diversity and inclusion (EDI) is an important element in our work and in our day to day lives.