Ft Psychosocial Support Worker

Come Build Hope and Homes with Us

FT Psychosocial Support Worker
Strathearne Suites - Hamilton, ON

**About Indwell**: We are a Christian not-for-profit charity that creates affordable housing communities and supportive programs to people seeking health, wellness, and belonging. Founded in 1974, we continue to grow and thrive to build high quality energy efficient housing and inclusive living, uplifting our society. Our belief is that every employee is a leader contributing to transform lives through HOPE and HOMES. Being a part of our amazing team you will be fulfilled working together with others who are genuinely invested in Indwell's mission to serve people impacted by poverty and homelessness. To learn more, go to: indwell.ca/our-model

**Position Description**: As the Psychosocial Support Worker, you will come alongside tenants who have experience with mental health and/or substance use to optimize housing stability. Offering support services that help individuals to flourish within their community. Using a service plan, you will assist tenants to learn skill sets needed for independent living within community. Engage in a collaborative assessment process of tenant’s progress, helping them achieve their social inclusion and community development goals, focusing on purpose-filled planning and intervene in crisis situations. As part of an interdisciplinary team, you will also enhance community engagement, tenant-led initiatives, and develop a safe environment for our tenants to thrive.

**Hours of Work**: 40 hours per week as scheduled based on the support needs of individuals in the program. Some evenings and weekends are required. Participation in the on-call rotation schedule is required.

**Job Summary**: To utilize a variety of approaches and interventions to promote recovery within a site-based program as well as provide successful community integration experiences. Provide individualized support and skill teaching in the community to promote new role development. Assist individuals in gaining access to needed psychiatric, medical, social, residential, financial, and other services appropriate for the individual. Support awareness and knowledge sharing with coworkers as part of an interdisciplinary team.

**Specific Duties for Indwell**:

- Attend trainings on recovery; psychiatric rehabilitation, trauma, supported employment practices, substance use and cultural competency. Keep apprised of new research and developments in these areas through journals, web sites and literature to transfer knowledge to the team and tenants in the most effective manner available.
- Assist tenants in gaining access to needed psychiatric, medical, social, residential, financial, and other services appropriate for the individual. Actively engage tenants in services including visits, appointments, programming, and activities within the community.
- Connect tenants to community resources and peer supports to promote community integration and inclusion. Provide education on available treatment or support models available in the community, completing referrals when needed and preparing individuals for such connections.
- Ensure all required documentation is completed in a timely, comprehensive, and legible manner and that health records are protected.
- Consult and collaborate with all team members on a regular basis. The goal of the Psychosocial Support Worker role is to holistically support a tenant within an interdisciplinary team. Therefore, team approaches should always be considered.
- Complete required assessment tools according to appropriate timelines.
- Coordinate, lead, and/or contribute to service planning for tenants.
- Take responsibility for a primary case load under the supervision of Program Supervisor or Program Manager.

**Psychosocial Support Duties**:

- Assist tenants in developing and practicing the skills defined in their service plans in consultation with tenant and interdisciplinary team. This may include accompanying tenants to appointments, leisure activities or other activities of interest including religious, educational, or vocational opportunities to provide support and encouragement.
- Providing support with identifying early warning signs of mental health decline, developing coping, crisis, and safety plans and developing and facilitating psychoeducational, self-help groups through a biopsychosocial and psychosocial rehabilitation lens: facilitating tenants’ learning of coping skills to help handle stressful situations / environments and developing resources that reduce future stressors.
- Championing the importance of skill development as part of an interdisciplinary team. This involves coming alongside the tenant in their goals; coaching independent living skills, coaching through appointment coordination, maximizing abilities to promote community independence, encourage tenants in maintaining good personal hygiene, self-confidence, and work with their social inclusion goals.