CharityVillage

DATE: January 26^th, 2024
LOCATION: Toronto, ON – Social Medicine Initiative                                       
COMPENSATION: $46,577 - $56,329 Annually Prorated
CONTRACT DURATION: 1 year 


LOFT Community Services is a unique and dynamic charitable organization that supports people living with complicated issues such as mental and physical health challenges, substance use challenges, poverty and homelessness. Serving approximately 19,633 annually and providing 1,861 units of supportive housing last year, LOFT is one of Ontario’s largest mental health service providers of its kind. LOFT is also recognized as a Nonprofit Employer of Choice™ Award (NEOC) recipient.
 
To help fulfill its mission, LOFT is hiring a Residential Support Worker.


Job Summary

The Residential Support Worker provides a range of assistance and supports to individuals with concurrent conditions that span physical and mental health challenges who are transitioning into housing.

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

Through a team oriented professional approach, the position provides support to the client to increase their independence, dignity and self-respect, in a safe and secure environment by:

• Building a rapport with each individual and providing coaching or mentoring to enable each in meeting the daily requirements of their housing environment and a healthy lifestyle; directly assisting with their daily living activities, particularly in the acquisition of life skills in such areas as hygiene, medication management, cooking, meal planning, cleaning, shopping and budgeting; developing strategies or establishing plans for maintaining these daily activities and other aspects of their recovery plan, for increasing their awareness of safety issues and for ensuring that residents receive adequate support in various aspects of their life; orientation of new clients; participating in intake for the program.
• Supporting and participating in house meetings, resident association activities or other group activities which promote the wellbeing of the residents and the smooth operation of the house; conducting and facilitating resident group meetings, assisting client-run initiatives, preparing schedules of house activities; maintaining a general awareness of the activities or whereabouts of residents in the house, identifying issues, communicating or noting incidents for director as required; maintaining petty cash, collecting rents and intervening in issues pertaining to maintenance or property; providing cleaning or minor house maintenance as required; teaching residents the appropriate fire safety protocols and conducting regular health and safety checks;
• Maintaining a strong support network of social, family, medical and psychiatric community links and resources; providing reminders and occasionally accompanying clients on their medical, psychiatric or other appointments; assisting the client in navigating the social services and health care systems and liaising with community agencies, hospitals or significant others; providing 24 hour crisis support on a rotational basis through a pager or similar system;
• Promote the psycho-social rehabilitation/ recovery approach, assist in harm reduction strategies, teaching conflict resolution, crisis management and problem solving on activities related to shared living; mediating issues or conflicts between residents, or between residents and neighbours, following-up on issues to ensure satisfactory resolution;
• Participating in the administration of the program by completing and maintaining the required records or statistics such as resident files, activity sheets, reports, etc. In accordance with established procedures; participating actively as a team member in program delivery by providing support and consultation to colleagues, identifying gaps in service and recommending solutions, participating in meetings, planning and evaluation initiatives, committees, events and activities, orienting new staff, determining staff schedules; providing other related assistance as required.

What You Bring

• An understanding of harm reduction, and psychosocial rehabilitation principles
• A relevant degree/diploma in human services,
• At least two years of experience working with the client population
• Knowledge of the issues faced by adults with special needs and a marginalized client group which can include addictions, cognitive impairments, HIV/AIDS.
• An understanding of the therapeutic relationship with an ability to negotiate with clients on goals and priorities.
• Experience in working as part of a team of professionals, and in conducting meetings or facilitating groups.
• Ability to complete annual OCANs, annual crisis prevention plans, biannual updating of client’s SMART goals.
• 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.
• Good crisis intervention and problem solving skills are required.
• Computer literacy sufficient to produce and maintain files, records or statistical information.
• Ability to prioritize a wide range of tasks, including residential client support, maintaining cleanliness and operation of house, responding to crisis, and administrative duties
• Ability to work independently to manage independent workflow each shift and ensure all tasks are prioritized appropriately and completed on time
• Written skills are used in keeping records or updating logs.
• 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

• 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 ( & or Until Closed)