Full Time Client Support Worker

**Position**: Full-Time Residential Evening Client Support Worker

**Reports Directly To**: Residential Program Supervisor

**Hours of Work**: 4pm-12am Monday-Friday (Full-Time 1.0 FTE)

**Southern Alberta Self-Help Association (SASHA) **is a non-profit community organization that promotes the independence of adults with mental illness by means of supportive housing, programs, and activities. SASHA operates out of 5 group homes in Lethbridge. 4 houses encompass our Residential Program which is recovery focused, teaching/encouraging independent living skills, and participants have required programming.

**Qualifications**: Some post-secondary education in a related field such as counselling, psychology, social work, nursing, sociology, recreation, or recreation, and a minimum of 1 year of direct experience with mental health clients. Equivalencies will be considered. A valid driver’s license, criminal record check, and Standard First Aid/CPR is required. All other training will be provided.

▪ The ability to work independently, cooperatively, and constructively within a team environment.

▪ Excellent time management skills.

▪ Basic computer skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Office programs.

▪ Knowledge of major mental illness, addiction, and concurrent disorders.

▪ Knowledge and understanding of the population served.

▪ Knowledge of community resources and referral pathways.

▪ Willingness to adapt to program and client needs.

**Responsibilities**:The Client Support Worker works collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team to support individuals living with a major mental illness who are clients of the SASHA programs. Direct service provision includes providing individualized support to clients, teaching clients in the development or improvement of life skills, facilitating group and recreation activities, completing facility maintenance tasks such as cleaning, and supporting the Client Case Managers in the implementation of Individual Service Plans.

**Specific Tasks**:
**ILS (Independent Life Skills) Support**

▪ Provide assessment, support and instruction to clients on daily living skills, including but not limited to: nutrition and cooking, household chores, personal hygiene, time management, medication management, budgeting, personal coping strategies, problem solving, recreation, interpersonal communication and socialization, and care of house pets. Actively participate in these activities with clients.

▪ Assist and encourage clients in the pursuit of leisure activities, exercise programs, and community socialization opportunities; develop activities for individual or group participation.

▪ Coordinate and participate in group and recreation activities as needed.

▪ Support clients in management of symptoms, i.e. development and utilization of personal coping strategies, community rehabilitation, and medication management.

▪ Assist clients in realizing personal daily living goals, both short and long term, to facilitate progression towards independent community living.

▪ Assist clients where appropriate with family communication and mediation.

▪ Assist clients as needed in developing and maintaining a positive working relationship with a General Practitioner, Dentist, Optometrist, Counsellor, Therapist, Psychiatrist, and other professionals in support of ongoing physical and mental wellness.

▪ Support clients in becoming active members of the community at large.

▪ Act as a positive role model for clients; lead by example.

**TREATMENT SUPPORT**

▪ Encourage clients to actively participate in the treatment plan(s) and assist them in understanding and taking ownership of their individual and community treatment plans (i.e. ISP, CTO (Community Treatment Order), etc.).

▪ Monitor client interactions and encourage social inclusion; coordinate conflict resolution as needed.

▪ Maintain personal and professional boundaries with program participants.

**ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT**

▪ Comply with SASHA policies and procedures.

▪ Read and update the Communication Book at the beginning of each shift and as needed.

▪ Maintain detailed records according to SASHA legal documentation guidelines.

▪ Communicate all relevant (progress, concerns, changes, etc.) information associated with treatment plans to SASHA team members.

▪ Take direction from the Case Managers regarding client care; the Case Manager is not to perform the duties of a supervisor, but can provide direction with regards to client care, particularly in relation to the Individual Service Plan.

▪ Maintain regular communication with all members of the SASHA team on matters affecting clients’ wellbeing and in the general operations of the organization on night shift and weekends.

**ESSENTIAL PROGRAM SERVICES**

▪ Complete and assist clients with facility cleaning and maintenance.

▪ Complete and/or assist clients with meal preparation.

▪ Build and maintain knowledge of com