Community Access

Position Title: Community Support Worker

Program/Department Name: Community Access Service / Community Support Services Department

Reporting to: Services Coordinator and/or Team Leader

Hours and Wages: This is a 30 hours per week Community Support Worker position. Wages based on education and experience.

Position Summary: The Community Support Worker is a front-line position. With the support and guidance of his/her supervisors, the Community Support Worker provides direct support for persons with disabilities to facilitate the development of skills and competencies and the attainment of goals as documented in an Individual Service Plan including: education, recreation, community association, community resources, and participation in the volunteer sector.

Qualifications and Experience: This professional will normally have completed at least the equivalent of a high school education, plus additional foundation skills training (a two year post secondary school diploma in Community Disability Services or a related field is preferred). This position requires the ability to understand and follow Individual Service Plans and other diagnostic, prescriptive and administrative concepts. Committed to community inclusion, this team player will be an effective communicator, possess positive interpersonal skills, be organized, have a keen desire to learn and grow professionally, be open to change and have a strong work ethic. Experience working with individuals who may demonstrate challenging behaviors is desirable. Requirements include current, valid Standard First Aid and CPR certification, CPI Non-violent Crisis Intervention training, a recent Calgary Police or RCMP Security Clearance and Vulnerable Sector Check, Ethical and Restrictive Procedures training and Abuse Prevention and Response Protocol for Adults with Disabilities training. Computer skills including Word, Excel, Access, Outlook and the Internet are desirable.

Roles and Responsibilities: For the Agency to become successful, each of its customers (including staff and participants) must succeed. To achieve this requires a clear understanding on everyone's part of his/her roles and responsibilities as well as a commitment to fulfilling said responsibilities. All responsibilities listed below will be carried out under the general direction and supervision of the Services Coordinator/Team Leader. In consideration of this the Community Support Worker will:

Specific Roles and Responsibilities

The Community Support Worker role is critical to the success of the adults with disabilities that we serve. This position is responsible for the following primary activities and tasks:

Being aware of, adhering to and providing services within established policies, practices, operational protocols, ethical standards and guidelines, including but not be limited to the following:

· Company policies and procedures;

· Community Support Services Department policies and procedures;

· ACDS Creating Excellence Together Standards;

· Protection of Persons in Care Act;

· Abuse Prevention and Response Protocol for Adults with Disabilities;

· Positive and Restrictive Procedures;

· Access to Information Act (ATIA), and the Protection of Privacy Act (POPA)

· Employment Standards Act;

· Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Implementing person-centered plans designed to support persons with disabilities to be included as valued members of the community.

Assisting and supporting individuals to participate in a meaningful way in their personal life planning, in the identification and definition of personal goals and aspirations, and in the definition and expansion of opportunities for personal growth, and meaningful and valued roles within the community. This includes following the individual's leads and/or the leads of the guardian and/or family to accommodate and support the individual's personal goals and aspirations to the extent possible.

Assisting and supporting individuals in the establishment and maintenance of shared, respectful relationships within the community, with a view to meaningful participation and inclusion. This includes assisting and encouraging individuals to participate effectively in education, recreation, community associations, community resources, and participation in the volunteer sector.

Being aware of the individual's physical, social and recreational environments and taking action to minimize risks and maximize participation/inclusion, and referring more complex situations to more experienced resources when appropriate.

Understanding community issues and opportunities, and assisting and supporting the individual with general access to and participation in the community

Modeling socially appropriate behaviours (for both the individual and the community), and assisting and encouraging the individual to make and maintain appropriate community connections. This may include acting as a social role model and support "coach" in prescribed situations.

Working in the community to open doors and provide access/participation opportunities, as well as being alert to alternate avenues for generic services that may be available to the individual.

Assisting, supporting and encouraging individuals to achieve their personal goals through the development of basic living and related skills, with a view to enhancing the individual's confidence, competence and participation within their social network (community, social, recreational, etc.). This includes both supporting the individual's life skill development and academic skill development as well as modeling the desired actions and behaviours.

Assisting and supporting individuals to advocate on their own behalf, when necessary and appropriate, to have their needs met; and, advocating on behalf of the individual when required and appropriate. This may focus on the development and application of basic socialization skills and assisting individuals to stand up for themselves in social, recreational and educational settings.

Maintaining clear and objective records and preparing required reports and other documentation.

Communicating in a professional, timely, accurate and respectful manner with individuals, families, guardians, staff and community representatives.

Working effectively in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.

Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

Pay: $21.00-$23.00 per hour

Expected hours: 30 per week

Benefits:

• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care

Work Location: In person