Social Worker

Are you a registered Social Worker looking for an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in your community? Do you thrive in a collaborative environment where you can advocate for clients and connect them with essential services? If so, we’d love to hear from you_

**Who We Are**

The Alex is a beacon of hope for Calgary’s most vulnerable citizens, offering wrap-around health care, housing, social, and wellness programs. With a patient and client-centered approach, we envision a community where every individual is valued and empowered to thrive. Our mission is to improve quality of life through accessible and integrated health, housing, and social services. With five decades of experience, we have earned a reputation for tackling tough health and social issues, guiding individuals on their journey from crisis to wellness, and from challenge to change.

Reporting to the Clinical Team Lead, the Social Worker is a key member of the Pathways to Housing team and is responsible for utilizing a variety of approaches to support program participants to achieve stability and wellness while reintegrating into community. Social Workers with Pathways to Housing offer advocacy, skills teaching, resource referral and are responsive to ACT Team duties.

This is a **permanent, full-time position**.

**What You Will Do**
- Program Philosophy_
- Offer culturally sensitive services where indicated
- Uphold the principles of ACT Model, Harm Reduction, Housing First and Trauma Informed Care
- Understand the Residential Tenancy Act, Mental Health Act and Community Treatment Orders
- Understand and follow program policies and procedures
- Administrative_
- Complete monthly evidence-based assessment tools with program participants and required data entry.
- Create, implement and update participant-centred service plan goals, safety planning, housing support plans.
- Complete required documentation with excellence, in accordance with agency policy and procedures, and respective of professional college requirements.
- Client Care_
- Provide single-staff, assertive outreach services to individuals with significant mental health and addiction concerns.
- Support program participants who experience acute, severe and persistent mental health and substance use disorders.
- Connect participants to appropriate services in the community and assist in facilitating referrals as needed.
- Willingness to teach and support participants in their suites and community settings with daily living skills.
- Help identify risk factors that could lead to eviction and work alongside program participants to reduce the likelihood of eviction, including supporting with regular unit inspections.
- Accompany and/or provide transportation support to external appointments and assist with activities of daily living as required.
- Advocate for the rights of program participants.
- Aid participants with systems navigation, including justice, financial, and health care system(s)
- Assist participants with obtaining and maintaining income supports.
- Assist program participants with rent payment and rental arrear payment plans as needed.
- Understand and support participants with medication assistance as required.
- Demonstrate strong crisis support and de-escalation skills.
- Remain open to a wide scope of practice with a commitment to innovation and flexibility.
- Provide services to assist participants with needs in housing, housing location, entitlements, employment, education and community integration.
- Team_
- Demonstrate exceptional written and oral communication skills, including active listening skills.
- Actively participate in daily team meetings and case planning meetings.
- Demonstrate initiative and an ability to work as an influential member of a team under mínimal supervision, supporting colleagues as needed.
- Display a high degree of professionalism as well as collaborate with partner agencies.
- Welcome and provide ongoing feedback to promote a healthy workplace environment, strong team cohesion and exceptional program delivery.
- Commitment to contributing positively to team culture.
- Facilitate group programming for participants and staff relevant to expertise.
- Perform additional duties as assigned.

**What You Bring**
- Bachelor’s degree in Social Work.
- Active registration with the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW).
- Minimum two years of experience in a social service setting.
- Experience working with vulnerable populations with significant mental health and substance use issues.
- Strong knowledge base of local resources for housing, mental health, addiction, community support and finances.
- Understanding of Housing First and Harm Reduction.
- Comfort meeting individually with participants in the community, in a broad variety of settings, with a safety-first mindset.
- Knowledge of evidenced-based interventions (motivational interviewing, de-escalation skills and crisis intervention).
- Exceptional communication, organization,