TFT Mental Health Worker, Main Street

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 Wednesday, November 13, 2024.

External applications no later than 5:00pm on Wednesday, November 20, 2024.

Job Description – Mental Health Worker

Main Street Program

Job Summary

Located in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, the Main Street supportive housing program situated at 162 Main Street consists of 68 units of self-contained apartments for individuals existing homelessness, many of whom have experienced a history of trauma, substance use, and/or mental health challenges. Working in and from the worksite, the Mental Health Worker provides assistance, support, and dignity to clients in their homes through the development of relationships and individualized goal setting in a stigma-free environment.

The Mental Health Worker also provides services through identification, coordination and facilitation of available community resources. These resources may include referral to community mental health services, referral to medical health services and connection to other housing services.

Functions & Responsibilities

1. Participates in case planning with clients and/or healthcare providers by performing duties such as interviewing clients to identify problems and needs, by obtaining required information from a variety of sources such as families and care providers, documenting client needs and wants, and assisting clients to determine appropriate programs.
2. Advocates for clients by problem solving in areas such as financial assistance, accessing community resources, and obtaining volunteer or work placements. 
3. Observes clients, identifies and assesses potential emergency situations, and develops short-term strategies to deal with such situations including de-escalating challenging behaviours. Reports medical, behavioral, and other problems as required. Provides feedback and input regarding clients’ needs, performance, and progress.
4. Provides supportive feedback, demonstrations, modeling, and behavior management to clients,  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.
5. Provides medication support, in accordance with established policy.
6. Provides meal programs or support in accordance with established policy.
7. Identifies available social, economic, recreational, and educational services and resources in the community that will meet clients’ needs. Provides clients with related information.
8. Facilitates clients’ physical, recreational, educational, and employment needs by performing duties such as arranging for clients to be transported to programs/services, assisting clients to attend appointments, and implementing programs.  
9. Carries out administrative transactions such as petty cash, client accounts, collecting rents.
10. Completes and maintains related records and documentation such as care plans, progress reports, statistics, and daily logs.
11. Ensures the maintenance, cleanliness, and safety of programs and residence by completing janitorial and maintenance tasks as directed. Contacts outside contractors for maintenance work as required. Ensures the residence’s inventory of supplies is maintained by performing duties such as contacting outside suppliers and following up on discrepancies. Assists clients to secure their housing, negotiate tenancy/program agreements, arrange for security deposits and payments of rent, acquiring furnishings and household items, arranging for utilities, negotiating moving allowances, arranging for movers and physically assisting with moves.
12. Receives client feedback, and inquiries and complaints, and responds as required.
13. Orientates new staff by sharing job information.
14. Provides direction to volunteer and or practicum students as required.
15. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education, Training & Experience 

1. Diploma in Community Social Service or Mental Health,

And recent related experience of two (2) years,

Or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience or other qualifications determined to be reasonable and relevant to the level of work

2. Extensive working knowledge of psychosocial rehabilitation approaches and services including individual service plan development and implementation and life skills training
3. Understanding of trauma-informed practices and Housing First philosophy
4. A solid background and knowledge of concurrent disorders with related work experience
5. Certificates in CPR, First Aid, and FoodSafe
6. Fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as per Public Health Orders
7. Satisfactory Criminal Record Check

Skills & Abilities 

1. Ability to work in a harm reduction environment which includes an observed consumption area, as well as familiarization with the principles of harm reduction.
2. Demonstrated ability in crisis de-escalation skills and conflict resolution
3. Demonstrated ability to work with individuals who are marginalized, underserved, and who may be at risk of homelessness or homeless
4. Demonstrated ability working with individuals living with substance use issues and/or an untreated mental illness
5. Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.
6. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, exercise initiative and good judgment
7. Ability to operate related equipment
8. Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
9. Ability to organize and prioritize
10. Ability to observe and recognize changes in clients
11. Ability to establish and maintain rapport with clients, staff and management and collateral service providers.
12. Home management skills
13. Ability to instruct
14. Ability to analyze and resolve problems
15. Ability to assist with medication support and to follow established policies and procedures
16. Advocacy skills
17. Knowledge of Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Concurrent Disorders including theories and methods