Support Worker. Island Crisis Care Society. Function. Qualifications. Job Description

Transcription

1 Island Crisis Care Society Job Description Support Worker Job Site: Sophia House Effective: Tuesday, March 09, 2010 Reports to: Sophia House Manager Revised: Wage Rate: Effective until March 31, 2011 Classification Step Days Overnight Asleep (paid from 12am-8am) Support Worker Step Step Step Step Step hours worked Step hours worked Step hours worked Step hours worked or more Hours worked includes: 1. Hours worked in a classification by the employee, 2. Hours of paid vacation, 3. Paid holidays, 4. Paid union leave up to twenty (20) days per calendar year. Function Create a warm and safe environment for learning and growth Promotes an atmosphere of physical, social, emotional, and spiritual safety while mentoring, coaching, and encouraging clients to do likewise Models healthy living, responsibility, appropriate boundaries Models behaviours and actions discussed and taught in daily sessions and groups Monitors client interactions and provides a role model of peaceful and respectful interaction at all times Uses motivational interviewing, and non violent communication to reinforce a support worker s role as non-judgemental listener Enacts crisis prevention and/or de-escalating training along with dispute protocols when disagreements, fights, or more serious conflicts occur Adhere to all the Society s standards, protocols, and policies Identifies all concerns to the manager Qualifications Education: 1. First aid level 1

2 2. Two years of study in the Humanities and/or Social Sciences with some courses in communication (i.e. CYC 252 i ), group work (CYC 265) addiction (HSD 369 or SSER 270), and human development (PSYC 122). a. Favourable courses might also include learning theory and behaviour change (PSYC 326), program development (SSER 240), community development (SSER 250), research methods (PSYC 204),, addiction treatment, psychopathology, neuropharmacology, personality and behaviour, conflict resolution, writing, and curriculum development. 3. Motivational Interviewing and/or Non-violent communication training a significant asset 4. Non-violent Crisis Intervention training an asset 5. Suicide prevention training an asset 6. Courses in women s studies an asset Skills and Knowledge: 1. Thorough knowledge of addiction self-help programs including the 12 step philosophy and practice 2. Communicates well verbally and in writing 3. Able to teach in a mentoring situation with patience and courtesy 4. Understands and can mentor life skills and Leisure Perception Retraining 5. Understands group and team dynamics and fosters cooperation 6. Practices effective Interpersonal conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques 7. Practices Active Listening, Motivational Interviewing, NVC, or other empathy-based communication techniques 8. Maintains strong and healthy boundaries 9. Proficient at time management and organization including the ability to prioritize and multitask 10. Knowledge of street culture and the methods and strategies used by street-wise individuals to obtain services 11. Works as a member of a team 12. Understands and practices self-care 13. Demonstrates professionalism ii, including the understanding and practice of professional ethics 14. Is familiar with common feminine health issues and is sensitive to cultural and ethnic taboos and teachings related to gender 15. Able to assist individuals with non-emergency medical conditions, and speak frankly but sensitively about sexual health and safety 16. Knowledge of theories, principles, and practices in the field of addiction and recovery and understands the relationship between abuse and substance use for women 17. Knowledge of community resources 18. Ability to maintain calm demeanour when faced with challenging behaviours Support Worker Sophia House Page 2 of 5

3 Duties 19. Respects and is able to assist individuals with concurrent disorders, non-emergency medical conditions, and multiple barriers to housing including anti-social and disruptive behaviour 20. Possesses knowledge of theories, principles, and practices in the field of mental health and addiction services Additional Information: Direct delivery of services may require a moderate level of physical fitness. A high degree of social acumen is required to serve and monitor women in a two story building as the only staff person on shift. Requirements: 1. Because Sophia House is a female-only supported recovery program, only females may apply for this position 2. Required to maintain confidentiality and insure privacy 3. Required to understand the philosophy of the society and adhere to and reflect the values of the organization to clients and to the community 4. Required to work with multiple clients who may exhibit a wide range of behaviors and experience emotional distress 5. Must pass criminal records check, take the New Media Learning On-Line Training courses entitled Preventing Sexual Harassment and Preventing Employment Discrimination, and sign and comply with the following: i. ICCS confidentiality pledge ii. ICCS professional conduct agreement iii. ICCS acknowledgement of policies 6. Attendance at monthly staff meetings is mandatory and employees receive their regular rate of pay for attendance. 7. Membership in BCGEU (union) is mandatory for all employees completing 30 days of probation. Because duties vary depending on the shifts, some or all of the following duties are part of the support worker job descriptions and individual employees will be evaluated on each duty they are required to perform based on their position. See the positions policy for clarification on the function of positions. Casual Support workers must be prepared to perform all duties listed. Below are 2 sets of duties. The first lists of duties, the universal duties, are those that are required or may be required on all shifts. The second list of duties specifies duties that occur on specific shifts. Universal Duties: 1. Welcomes new clients and performs intake procedures including filling out intake forms and related paperwork Support Worker Sophia House Page 3 of 5

4 2. After processing admittance paperwork provides clients with orientation of the program including a review of program rules and procedures 3. Provides hygiene products, basic first aid, nutrition, rest, and emotional support 4. Gives all new residents a tour of the facility explaining how things work if instruction is needed (i.e. how to operate unique plumbing, etc.) 5. Ensures that each resident receives a client handbook and then reviews it with each client as needed 6. Makes helpful introductions to other program employees and fellow residents 7. Reviews all established personal plans and asks the manager for clarification if the plans are not clear to them 8. Reminds residents of house rules when necessary 9. Confiscates weapons or drug paraphernalia on admission and subsequent entrances and files an incident report 10. Files incident reports for all other incidents as outlined in the policy manual 11. Checks in with each client regularly when they are awake to notice and observe how each is coping and progressing 12. Listen to clients and offer professional kindness a. See the definition of professional kindness in the ICCS glossary for more details b. ICCS employees are not employed to be counsellors or therapists. If clients have needs that require clinical or therapeutic treatment, record the need in the log and encourage the client to talk to their case manager or the Sophia House manager 13. Triages crisis situations that may arise and follows related protocols and procedures 14. Facilitates client interactions and de-escalates client conflicts when possible 15. When serious conflicts, disagreements, or accusations occur between clients, takes statements from the parties involved according to established guidelines and submits all documentation to the program manager for further action 16. Involves the RCMP if necessary when violence, abuse, threats, or criminal behaviours occurs 17. Logs relevant observations and recommendations regarding client s safety or health concerns, in the Log Book 18. Provides feedback, cues, and reminders to clients in accordance with their personal plans 19. Performs security checks 20. Ensures Foodsafe practices 21. Mentor s clients on domestic duties, healthy living, healthy relationships, and provides cues and reminders for each resident, according to their duty lists, house responsibilities, and daily routines 22. Upon discharge of clients ensures that room cleaning protocols are followed in preparation for the next resident 23. Participates in Shift Debriefs during the transition of one shift to the next Support Worker Sophia House Page 4 of 5

5 24. Other duties as assigned by the Program Manager Specific Shift-related Duties: Because Casual Support workers can be called to work either night-time or day-time shifts, both sets of duties are listed below: Support Worker - Days 1. Signs in logbook, read and initial previous communication. 2. Checks for instructions from the manager on any changes in the program 3. Ensures the safety and security of the residence. a. Does rounds of house and safety checks. b. Does random checks of house during shift. 4. Interacts and communicate with residents (do not isolate yourself from residents). 5. Prepares daily meals and snacks in accordance with established menu. a. Ensures Food Safe practices are followed. b. Ensures cleanliness of kitchen and food storage areas. c. Involves residents in meal preparations according to each client s personal plan 6. Ensure cleanliness of residence area a. Involves residents in cleaning of the residence according to each client s personal plan 7. Fill out incident reports as required 8. Other duties as assigned by Program Manager 9. Curfew at 10:00 pm 10. Doors and outside gates locked at 10p.m and opened at 9:00 a.m. 11. Lights out at 11:00 p.m. 12. Room check between 11:00-12:00am. Support Worker - Nights 1. Be onsite during the evening shift from midnight to 8:00 am. 2. Ensure the safety and security of the residence. a. Do rounds of house and safety check before retiring b. Be ready to wake in case of night-time emergency c. Do a safety and security check before end of shift 3. Fill out incident reports as required 4. Convey relevant communication in logbook 5. Other duties as assigned by Program Supervisor/Director. Approved by: Richard Powell Manager of Policy and Publications i Examples of courses and the associated course numbers are taken from the Vancouver Island University calendar. ii Professionalism at ICCS refers to a level and quality of ethical practice and manner that is commonly associated with a profession such as medicine, social work, or engineering. It does not refer to the level of education or membership in a professional association. Support Worker Sophia House Page 5 of 5