RFT Homeless Outreach Worker, Resource Centre

 ** All employment is subject to a satisfactory result from a criminal record check done through the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General. 

Internal applications no later than 5:00pm on Thursday, May 2, 2024.

External applications no later than 5:00pm on Thursday, May 9, 2024. 

Job Description – Mental Health Outreach Worker

Resource Centre

Job Summary 

The Homeless Outreach Worker must be committed to the mission and philosophy of the MPA Society as well as the principles and practice of Psychosocial Rehabilitation and harm reduction strategies.  

The Homeless Outreach Worker fosters resilience, provides outreach, assists in housing, coordinates referrals, connects to financial resources, and promotes self-empowerment, provides a variety of day-to-day physical, emotional, and social supports, advocacy, life skills assistance, information, resources and demonstrations. 

Functions & Responsibilities

1. Performs participant intakes through interviews and collaboration with outside service providers to determine client’s eligibility for the program; for those not connected to mental health services or for those not residing in housing that is supported by other mental health service providers until such connections are made. 
2. Participates in case management and planning with clients and/or healthcare providers, by performing duties such as interviewing clients to identify problems and needs, obtaining required information from a variety of sources such as families and care providers, documenting client needs and wants. 
3. Maintains contact with members at the MPA Resource Centre through participation in social and recreational activities with members. 
4. Participates in all staff meetings for the MPA Resource Centre to promote the sharing of information and to assist in determining the needs of specific individual members. 
5. Advocates for members by problem solving in areas such as landlord-tenant disputes, financial assistance, mental health assistance, general health assistance, accessing community resources, and housing both temporary and permanent. 
6. Accompany clients to appointments with other agencies in an advocacy role. 
7. Observes clients, identifies and assesses potential emergency situations, and develops short- term strategies to deal with such situations. Reports medical, behavioural, and other problems to the Manager of the program. Provides feedback and input regarding clients’ needs, performance, and progress. 
8. Provides supportive feedback, demonstrations, modeling, and behaviour management to clients, their families, and their personal networks, to assist with the development of physical, social, emotional, and life skills such as maintaining personal hygiene, housekeeping, meal planning and preparation, meeting financial obligations, making and keeping appointments, and interpersonal skills. 
9. Identifies available social, economic, recreational, and educational services and resources in the community that will meet clients’ needs including long term case management services through mental health centres and provides clients with that information. 
10. Carries out administrative transactions such as petty cash, client accounts, collecting rents and money from clients for personal items, completing forms and making deposits and withdrawals. 
11. Completes and maintains related records and documentation such as care plans, progress reports, statistics, and daily logs. 
12. Provides medication support, in accordance with established policy. 
13. Receives client feedback, inquiries and complaints, and responds as required. 
14. Orientates new staff by sharing job information. 
15. Provides direction to volunteer and or practicum students as required. 
16. Performs other related duties as assigned. 

 Education, Training & Experience

1. A minimum of two (2) years post-secondary education in mental health and a minimum of two (2) years experience in a similar setting with a mental health related agency, with responsibility for front line service delivery, crisis intervention, debriefing and support, conflict resolution and case planning or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
2. Extensive working knowledge of psychosocial rehabilitation approaches and services including individual service plan development and implementation and life skills training.
3. A solid background and knowledge of concurrent disorders with related work experience.
4. Two (2) years experience working with mental health consumers and a demonstrated commitment to promoting consumer empowerment and individual/group advocacy.
5. Satisfactory criminal record check.
6. Current Certification in First Aid, CPR and NVCI.
7. Class 5 unrestricted British Columbia Driver License.
8. Access to a reliable vehicle is an asset.

Skills & Abilities 

1. Knowledge of community mental health, social service, legal, and forensic resources. 
2. Knowledge of Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Concurrent Disorders including theories and methods. 
3. Knowledge of Vancouver rental market and ability to seek out rental accommodations with clients and on client’s behalf when necessary. 
4. Ability to work independently and in cooperation with others, exercise initiative and good judgement.  
5. Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with strong problem-solving skills 
6. Ability to organize and prioritize. 
7. Ability to establish and maintain rapport with clients, staff and management, landlords and collateral service providers. 
8. Ability to observe and recognize changes in clients.  
9. Ability to operate related equipment and technology including Microsoft Office.  
10. Ability to instruct. 
11. Ability to analyze and resolve problems. 
12. Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position. 
13. Home management skills. 
14. Conflict resolution and crisis intervention skills. 
15. Advocacy skills.