IDENTIFICATION Position Number Position Title 86-95122 Community Wellness Worker Department Division/Region Location -- Yellowknife Health & Social Services Authority Lutsel K'e Health & Social Services Lutsel K'e PURPOSE OF THE POSITION To provide culturally relevant education, health promotion and prevention activities to the community, family and individual in the area of basic health and well-being issues specifically in the areas of addictions, mental health and family violence. The Community Wellness Worker works in accordance with the program standards and protocols of the Community Counseling Program (CCP) for Mental Health & Addiction Services of the Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority. The Community Wellness Worker is a member of the Primary Community Care Team (PCC) in the community. The incumbent plays an important role in ensuring that client needs are met through appropriate education, referral and aftercare and basic counseling. The Community Wellness Worker works in partnership with the Mental Health/Addiction Counselor, Social Workers, Community Health Representative and others (e.g. school counselor, youth workers, etc.) to promote wellness to residents of the NWT. SCOPE The Yellowknife Health & Social Services Authority (YHSSA) administers all Social Services, Public Health, Home Care and general physician services throughout Yellowknife, Dettah and N'Dilo, as well as all regional health and social services delivered in Fort Resolution and Lutselk'e totaling approximately 20,000 residents. YHSSA provides and supports the delivery of community based health and social services to adults and children in order to enhance the health and well being of communities through excellence accountability and respect for regional diversity. 17/02/12 GNWT Job Description 1
Located in the community of Lutsel K'e, Northwest Territories and reporting directly to the Supervisor, Social Programs, the Community Wellness Worker works as part of the CCP. The Community Wellness Worker is responsible for serving the community by working with individuals in the community who express a desire to improve their overall mental health. The Community Wellness Worker provides education and prevention initiatives to communities to achieve a better understanding of the issues surrounding cultural identity, mental health, addictions and family violence. This involves working with various community groups and stakeholders, Aboriginal leaders and the general public including a diverse population (elders, adults, adolescents, children and families). The Community Wellness Worker is a member of the PCC Team and therefore plays an important role in ensuring that client needs are met through culturally relevant education, referral and aftercare in issues related to mental health, addictions and family violence. The incumbent works collaboratively with other social and medical professionals as well as organizations and professionals outside the health and social services system in the community and region, to meet the overall goals and objectives. RESPONSIBILITIES 1. To promote wellness through education and prevention activities in the areas of mental health, addictions and family violence. Main Activities Provide individuals and groups of all ages with addictions, mental health and family violence information through individual meetings, group presentations and through the provision of resource materials Consult with community agencies to identify issues and increase awareness, and will monitor, implement and evaluate prevention programs and priorities. Research and provide appropriate resources for community-based programs and initiatives. Provide support to self-help groups. Inform the public and community agencies of programs and services available for crisis and non-crisis situations. This includes, but is not limited to, the areas of substance abuse, mental health and family violence. Advocate for public understanding and awareness of addictions, mental health and family violence. 2. Provide clients and families with culturally relevant support in the areas of mental health, addictions and family violence. Main Activities Help clients determine their needs and make appropriate referrals. Use a team approach to access resource persons and services especially during times of crisis and trauma. 17/02/12 GNWT Job Description 2
Assist clients in crisis with identifying resources. Provide pre and post treatment support for individuals and families through support and education. Provide a liaison and advocacy role for clients and families, helping them to access services that support a healthy lifestyle. 3. Strengthen community resources and capacity through community development initiatives. Main Activities: Establish and maintain effective communication with individuals, families, organizations and the community. Support individuals, families and the community in understanding and valuing their unique cultural identity Provide information and education to community agencies. Develop collaborative relationships and partnerships with relevant non-government and government agencies for the purpose of enhancing service delivery to the community. Develop effective communication strategies and educational materials to keep the public informed of wellness and prevention programs. Facilitate, develop and implement wellness and prevention activities based on the needs of the clients, families and/or community Complete program documentation (e.g. activity reports for education sessions) related to community presentations, individual clients and crisis work. Complete program reports to meet program accountabilities, long range planning and quality management KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES Ability to perform prevention activities in the areas of mental health, addictions and family violence and their impact on physical, mental, spiritual and emotional health. Ability to facilitate individual and group learning using a client centered approach and best practice model. Basic knowledge of physical, psychological and social effects of addictions, mental health issues and family violence. Knowledge of treatment options for people of all ages with addictions; knowledge of referral routes. Basic knowledge of the NWT Mental Health Act and the Child and Family Services Act and knowledge of other NWT legislation. Good knowledge of resources within YHSSA and elsewhere ensure support for clients and their families. Awareness of the importance and limitations of confidentiality. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to operate a desk- top computer with basic software package. Ability to be self-directed, meet deadlines, prioritize workload and manage several 17/02/12 GNWT Job Description 3
tasks at once. Ability to operate in a team environment in a highly cooperative environment. An understanding of the historical,cultural and social issues of the community Ability to speak Denesoline an asset. TYPICALLY, THE ABOVE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE ATTAINED BY: The knowledge, skills and abilities required for this position are typically attained by a Diploma in the Social Sciences together with one year of relevant experience in a scope of practice or experience solely restricted to addictions, mental health or family violence. Previous work experience in a remote northern location would be an asset. WORKING CONDITIONS Physical Demands Home visits and community based presentations (30% of the time) will require the incumbent to carry 5-15 lbs. of presentation supplies and aids to the location of the presentations in all climactic conditions (private homes, schools, nursing stations). The incumbent may be expected to walk to the sites on a daily basis in all climatic conditions. Environmental Conditions The incumbent will spend 70% of their day in client homes or in public locations where they may be exposed to health hazards such as pets, rabies, tuberculosis and unsanitary conditions that may make the incumbent sick. During home visits and community presentations the incumbent may be exposed to potentially abusive (verbal and physical) clients and family members. In addition, the incumbent will be exposed to all weather conditions (ranging from -40 to +30) when moving between the office and locations for public presentations and home visits. The constant changes in temperature (office-outdoors-home/presentati on- outdoors-office) may be stressful. As a result of living in an isolated, northern community, the incumbent will be required to travel on small planes when traveling to or from the community. Sensory Demands The incumbent will spend 70% of their day in providing direct client care where the incumbent will be required to use the combined senses of touch, sight, smell and hearing during assessment and provision of care in an uncontrolled setting (i.e. client's home). Working within the client home may be extremely distracting and make normal assessment and decision making more difficult as these settings may be distracting for both the incumbent and the client (noise level,family interruptions, visual commotion, etc.) 17/02/12 GNWT Job Description 4
The incumbent may spend 20% of the day on administrative duties within an office setting where the incumbent may be required to focus on a computer terminal. Mental Demands The incumbent may become involved in situations with community members who are experiencing stress or confusion with respect to the delivery of social services, health care or the status of their own health. This involvement/interaction may occur at any time (day or night). This may cause significant disruption to the incumbent's family and social life. In addition, within the work environment there will be significant lack of control over the work pace, with frequent interruptions (work is often dictated by external factors) that may lead to mental fatigue or stress. From time to time the Community Wellness Worker may be required to assist the Mental Health/Addictions Counselor in the provision of services to clients, some of who may be abusive, individuals under the influence of drugs or alcohol and Royal Canadian Mounted Police escorts. These incidents may occur while the incumbent is on duty as well as when offduty (within a small community it is difficult to separate the individual from the position). As a result they may be concerned for the safety and well-being of the incumbent and their family members that may cause extreme levels of stress on the incumbent both during and after working hours. EXCLUSION/INCLUSION Section A s ni ng Section B - Rationale for exclusion from the bargaining unit (Exclusion from the bargaining unit must meet the conditions outlined in section 306 of the GNWT's Human Resources Manual (HRM). Refer to Section 306 of the GNWT's HRM and outline the reason for the exclusion f uest below 17/02/12 GNWT Job Description 5