Care Coordinator, Disability Support Program

**Competition #**: 43040

**Department**: Community Services

**Location**: New Glasgow and/ or Truro

**Type of Employment**: Term

**Union Status**: NSGEU - NSPG

**Closing Date**: 07-Jun-24 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

At the Department of Community Services (DCS), we are a large and diverse department providing a broad portfolio of programs and services including Child and Family Wellbeing (CFW), Employment Support Services(ESS), Income Assistance (IA), Homelessness and Supportive Housing, and Disability Support Program(DSP).

Through our services, we advocate and help vulnerable Nova Scotians be independent, self-reliant, and secure. We work collaboratively across the province with a strong dedicated network of supports and staff, to achieve desired and shared outcomes for all.

About Our Opportunity

As the Care Coordinator, you work under the direction of the Casework Supervisor. You are responsible for the intake, assessment, and determination of financial eligibility and support need requirements. You are also responsible for individual support planning, coordination and implementation of programs and services, ongoing case management, as well as monitoring and discharge planning of individuals with disabilities within the Disability Support Program.

Primary Accountabilities

You will work with individuals with disabilities across their life span who require varying levels of support and supervision, including those with complex support needs and challenging behaviours.

You will assess individuals with disabilities in order to determine their level of support. You will also recommend and implement in-home support plans or admission into residential support programs. Working in partnership with Adult Service Centers, other day program, and vocational service providers you will implement and maintain effective vocational or day programs on behalf of eligible individuals with disabilities.

As the Care Coordinator you will work in partnership with individuals with disabilities and, as appropriate, their families and/or others from their personal support network. You will also work with other departments and agencies to provide services, within a continuum of available programs, to meet assessed unmet support needs. These are voluntary programs designed to support people at various stages of their development and independence.

Qualifications and Experience

You are a Licensed Professional in Nursing (RN or LPN), Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy or Nutritional Studies plus five (5) years of related experience. You must be currently registered, or eligible for registration, with your applicable professional association.

A valid driver's licence and the ability to travel to various work site locations is required.

You must have excellent assessment, interviewing and negotiation skills, which are essential in dealing with complex client situations. You will be a team player who displays sound judgement and has well developed skills in critical thinking, problem solving and time management. You must have a solid knowledge base in child development and thorough understanding of the needs and issues relating to children, adults and families with a person with a mental, intellectual and/or physical disability.

You have a good understanding of community supports available and the dynamics of facilitating the development of individual family support networks and family-centered service delivery. Knowledge of health and social services systems, long term care and case management principles, risk management, community development approaches, coordination of appropriate services, special needs populations, and Homes for Special Care legislation is required.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Equivalency

An equivalent combination of training, education and experience will be considered such as:
a Master's degree in either Nursing, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy or Nutritional Studies plus three (3) years of related experience

**Benefits**:
Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

Working Conditions

You will work with individuals with disabilities who require varying levels of support, care and supervision, including those with complex support needs and challenging behaviours.

You will be responsible for travelling to and completing client assessments in multiple locations including family homes, group homes, residenti