CharityVillage

DATE: January 26^th, 2024
LOCATION: Toronto, ON – Social Medicine Initiative                                       
COMPENSATION: $48,766 -50,006 Annually Prorated
CONTRACT DURATION: 1 year To help fulfill its mission, LOFT is hiring a Personal Support Worker.


Job Summary

The Personal Support Worker is responsible for rendering a range of services for the clients of the program consistent with its basic values and goals. The Personal Support Worker will support, as assigned, the needs of the vulnerable, at risk, adults and seniors living in the multi-sites under the auspices of the program. This support relates to the physical, cognitive, mental health and social/recreational needs of the clients. The staff member will maintain the established routines of the program including all security, fire and general health and safety practices. The Personal Support Worker will perform these and other delegated responsibilities to ensure the quality of personal care of the clients of the program. *Note: Staff will be required to work in residents’ rooms and may therefore be exposed to secondhand smoke.

Social Medicine Initiative is an interdisciplinary team of providers from the University Health Network and LOFT Community Services that provides wrap around services to individuals with concurrent conditions that span physical and mental health challenges and social and economic vulnerability who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of losing their housing.  Social Medicine delivers clinical hands-on support to those with complex healthcare needs providing outreach and case management services with access to psychiatric and medical assessment, consultation, and access to treatment, service planning, advocacy, and system navigation support. The aim of this partnership is to provide low barrier access to housing for these individuals, while assisting in stabilizing their physical and mental health, substance use, behavioural, psychosocial, and social drivers of health challenges. The Social Medicine team works from a housing first and harm reduction approach. The goal is to work with individuals in getting connected to housing and follow up support that meets the level of need required for each individual to live successfully in the community.


What You Will Do

Support of the physical and mental health requirements of clients.

• Establish a working rapport with clients that supports their dignity, encourages personal empowerment and facilitates addressing their psychosocial, behaviour management and medical needs.
• Support clients with reminders related to taking their medications at the scheduled time(s) and in accordance with their physicians' instructions.
• Adhere to residence/program established medication system procedures, including ordering, recording and reminding clients about the administration of their medication as well as the self- medication program.
• Monitor and support clients with medical problems and illnesses, including cleaning areas which require immediate attention, i.e. linens, floor coverings, etc. for the comfort and support of the clients. Further, to record illnesses, the circumstances and arrange for medical/emergency invention in liaison with the Senior PSW and Program Director.

• Encourage and assist clients in the following activities of daily living:
  1. laundering and ironing of personal clothing

1. dressing/undressing, and ensure clients are dressed appropriately
2. personal hygiene including grooming, shaving, oral hygiene, nails and bathing
3. ambulation, toileting and transferring
4. at meal times, meal preparation, serving, feeding, cutting food, etc.,
5. care for incontinent clients, make client's bed
6. shopping

• As a means of promoting a normalized lifestyle, support clients with daily living chores such as bed making, dusting, sweeping and generally keeping their living space in a clean and orderly fashion.
• Provide support with managing behaviours and problems arising from cognitive issues.
• Provide social support in areas such as conversation, making phone calls, writing letters, facilitating interest in hobbies and other recreational activities.
• Escort to medical appointments, visiting friends and other identified needs for social interaction in the community.
• Maintain current and accurate records of the provision of care services and document behaviours for individual clients in accordance with established procedures.
• Participate in regularly scheduled meetings with clients and/or other members of the staff team for the purpose of developing goals of support for individual clients. Adhere to the goals and tasks developed.  

Maintenance and security, fire and general health and safety

• In emergency situations, contact appropriate emergency services immediately. In addition, record all incidents using the appropriate forms. Contact with the Program Director or designated person will be initiated in accordance with residence/program procedures and practices.
• Interact with clients during the designated shift, where appropriate. In addition, a formal contact will occur daily to ensure client comfort and safety.
• If a client is missing, record and follow up according to the program procedures.
• Ensure equipment and supplies for personal support are readily available. Report any damage or need for repair to maintenance and the Program Director.  

Specific medical responsibilities ( at applicable sites)

• Monitor the medication program, working directly with the physician, the pharmaceutical consultant, other Personal Support Workers and the Program Director regarding any problem in the system.
• Ensure the proper storage and recording of medication from the pharmacy, in consultation with the pharmacist and physicians.  

Social/ Recreational Activities

• Attend program co-ordination meetings and participate in planning activities, as required.
• Maintain accurate records of program participants
• Keep appropriate staff informed of client absent for meals/medication items, because of special outings
• Ensure that equipment/supplies required are available and ready for use. Report any damage/need for maintenance on equipment to Senior PSW and Program Director.
• Actively participate in all planned program activities
• Drive the van to transport the client(s) for outings as well as assume the leadership for the activity. As required.
• Other responsibilities as delegated by the Services Coordinator

What You Bring

• Understanding of recovery, harm reduction and psychosocial rehabilitation principles as acquired through a relevant degree in human services
• Minimum 3 years of experience working with the client population in order to apply the theories to practical settings.
•  Knowledge of the issues faced by adults with mental illness, addictions, physical health concerns, and homelessness.
• An understanding is also required of the therapeutic relationship with an ability to negotiate with clients on goals and priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and counselling skills are required to work in a team environment and to engage the clients in some highly personal areas, such as developing healthy living skills, life skills and in maintaining interpersonal relationships.
• Knowledge of local community agencies and other professional services available for the client group is essential.
• Good intake assessment, crisis intervention, advocacy and problem solving skills.
• Computer literacy sufficient to produce and maintain files, records or statistical information. Experience in working as part of a team of professionals.
• Good analytical, time management and organizational skills to contribute to program planning and to co-ordinate and follow-up on issues or activities with clients. 

Nice-to-Haves

• Knowledge of other languages is an asset.
• Understanding of cultural competency and anti-oppression framework;
• Reflective of a multi-barriered group, as serviced by the program, a strong asset
• Experience working with individuals who are homeless and/or at risk of homelessness  

 

What We Offer

• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program
• E-learning program available all year round
• Starting vacation time above minimum standard,
• Additional paid personal and paid sick days
• Corporate Gym membership rate with GoodLife Fitness
• Access to Perkopolis, a comprehensive corporate discount program
• Access to unlimited DEI trainings through partnership Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion
• A chance to push your ideas from inception to execution
• Satisfying work with a fun, energetic and supportive leader
• An opportunity to be a change maker in an organization that reaches people that are often overlooked

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

LOFT Community Services is a values-driven organization with a deep belief that each person has the ability to grow and change. We value compassion, collaboration, and community delivered with dignity, innovation, and excellence. LOFT’s vision is that together, we can all live successfully in our community. Our client population reflects Ontario’s diverse community and it is LOFT’s goal to build a workforce who also reflects that diversity. LOFT believes there are many ways to develop skills and build experience and expertise. So even if you don’t “tick all the boxes” but think you’d thrive in this role, you are encouraged to apply.


Note: All LOFT employees are required to be COVID-19 vaccinated as a condition of hire in accordance with LOFT’s Vaccination Policy; unless they are employed in or work regularly with staff who are employed in, non-client facing roles.

Note: A satisfactory vulnerable sector check (VSC) is also required.

CLOSING DATE: February 9^th, 2024