Sheltering & Outreach Support Worker- Casual

PHS Community Services Society (PHS) is looking for Casual Sheltering & Outreach Support Workers to work across the continuum at our sheltering projects and integrated housing team We are looking to hire for a variety of shifts, prioritizing folks who can work overnights and weekends. This position has mandatory paid training November 24th-28th from 9AM-5PM.

JOB SUMMARY

Working as a part of a collaborative team, the Sheltering and Outreach Support Worker finds creative ways to support guests/clients to meet their basic needs and access essential life-protecting care. Sheltering and Outreach staff are responsible for emergent response to guest/client needs. Working in a high paced environment, with high guest/client turnover staff must be able to prioritize and triage urgent needs and responses to guest/client care. Using specialized methods to collect and track data throughout our continuum, sheltering and outreach staff will support guests/clients as they move through and amongst our spaces building a model of care that accommodates the transient nature of how our clients/guests use community supports and services.

SOCIETY PHILOSOPHY

PHS Community Services Society provides housing, harm reduction, health promotion and health care to vulnerable communities. Our supportive housing and low barrier programs provide refuge, services and advocacy for those who are homeless or poorly served elsewhere due to their physical health, mental health, behaviour, substance use, or involvement with the criminal justice system. Our work is grounded in honouring self-determination and providing as much choice of therapeutic treatments as possible within a trauma-informed continuum of care. We foster an environment which accepts and looks to the good in each member. PHS is a renowned innovator and a leader in harm reduction and health care for marginalized communities. PHS Housing actively seeks to find an alternative to eviction in every situation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The job includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Completes various tasks associated with support in houselessness and underhousing including but not limited to: orientation to shelter spaces, facilitating transfers between shelters/SROs, ensuring basic life saving amenities are provided, and continuing work and advocacy to transition folks into more appropriate housing.
• Listens and responds to guest/client needs, concerns, and questions. Responsible for deescalating situations that arise.
• Works with guests/clients on practical problems such as acquiring identification, accessing income assistance, applying for housing, checking placement on housing waitlists, and providing financial administration. Coordinates access to assistance with Disability applications, mental health treatment and support.
• Liaises with other sites and community partners and assists guests/clients with accessing services related to survival needs like healthcare, housing, food, clothing and social support.
• Contributes to a collaborative working relationship with internal and external stakeholders to develop, manage and evaluate guest/client care plans. Liaises regularly with Overdose Outreach Team, VCH Integrated Housing and Outreach Team, Forensics Outreach Services, Vancouver Intensive Supervision Unit and the Vancouver Integrated Supervision Unit, Intensive Case Management teams, and the Assertive Community Treatment teams to secure care and support for guests/clients.
• Works respectfully and appropriately with the police, probation officers and courts to assist guests/clients with navigating legal systems.
• Assists guests/clients with daily living needs such as storage management, pod cleaning, home support, and linen changes.
• Maintains guest/client administrative records, including health and care plans, financial/banking, daily shift reports, job draw information, and other checklists.
• Collects information from guests/clients and completes specialized sheltering and outreach data collection forms including, HIFIS, the Outreach Tracker, Guest Support Info, External Referral Tracking sheets, and Housing Allocations spreadsheet.
• Uses logs and care plans to document observations, monitoring guest baselines, noting perceived de-compensating behaviours, and coordinating access to appropriate supports.
• Responsible for crisis intervention in the event of overdose and responding to complex emergency situations. Strong knowledge of current street drugs and their presentation in individuals experiencing overdose symptoms is required
• Complies with the Book of Knowledge procedure for medication storage and dispensing over-the-counter treatments. Provides prescription medication reminders, as needed. Coordinates with pharmacies for guest/client access to medications.
• Maintains accurate computerized and paper records in accordance with established procedures and policies, prepares and maintains statistical information, correspondence, reports and other documentation.
• Other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE

• Diploma in Community Social Services
• Recent related experience of two years or an equivalent combination or education, training and experience in sheltering or outreach services
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and Mac OS
• Current First Aid and CPR certification
• Narcan and Overdose management training is a must
• HIFIS training an asset

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

This is a unionized position with CUPE 5536.

Casual work for a variety of shifts, including days, overnights and weekends.

Salary: $31.56 p/h plus 10 percent in lieu of benefits; overnight and weekend premiums applied.

Successful applicants will be required to complete a criminal records check.

***Please note, paid mandatory training for this role will be November 24th-28th from 9AM-5PM***

PHS strives to create an inclusive and welcoming workplace that reflects the community we serve. We seek a diversity of skills, knowledge, backgrounds, and professional experience in our staff. We particularly encourage applications from Indigenous individuals.

HOW TO APPLY

Please include a cover letter identifying the qualities and competencies that would make you a suitable candidate.

Job Type: Casual

Pay: From $31.56 per hour

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Wellness program

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Vancouver, BC (V6B): reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Application question(s):

• This position has mandatory, paid training November 24th-28th from 9AM-5PM; if you are the successful candidate, are you able to attend?
• We operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and are prioritizing interviewing and hiring for folks who can work overnights and weekends. What is your availability?

Licence/Certification:

• First Aid & CPR Certification (preferred)

Work Location: In person