Vancouver

Sheltering and Outreach Support Worker (casual)

PHS Community Services Society is hiring casual Sheltering and Outreach Support Workers.

Working as a part of a collaborative team, the Sheltering and Outreach Support Worker finds creative ways to support shelter guests/clients to meet their basic needs and access essential life-protecting care.

Sheltering and Outreach staff are responsible for emergent response to guest/client needs. Working in a high-paced environment, with high guest/client turnover, staff must be able to prioritize and triage urgent needs and responses to guest/client care. Using specialized methods to collect and track data throughout our continuum, sheltering and outreach staff will support guests/clients as they move through and amongst our spaces building a model of care that accommodates the transient nature of how our clients/guests use community supports and services.

Being casual, this position will provide you with flexiblity. Our scheduling is completed monthly, with the opportunity to take additional hours at shorter notice, if it suits you. (You will not be on call.)

Why work here?

PHS is recognized as North American leaders in low-barrier housing and harm reduction services. We are innovators, highly regarded across the sector, looking for people to join experienced, supportive multi-disciplinary teams.

PHS hires from within. Working within our sheltering and outreach continuum will provide foundational skills for individuals looking to progress within the organization.

You will be a valued member of the team, working with colleagues who respect your input.

These positions are located in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, in easy walking distance of Downtown, Chinatown, Gastown and the Seawall. There are good transit links – we’re a couple of blocks from the Stadium-Chinatown SkyTrain station.

Flexible scheduling. Our scheduling is completed monthly, with the opportunity to take additional hours at shorter notice, if it suits you. (You will not be on call.)

It’s a CUPE 5536 union position, overnight and weekend premiums apply.

Responsibilities

Job duties include (but are not limited to):

  • Completes various tasks associated with support in houselessness and under-housing including: orientation to shelter spaces, facilitating transfers between shelters/SROs, ensuring basic lifesaving amenities are provided, and continuing work and advocacy to transition folks into more appropriate housing.
  • Listens and responds to guest/client needs, concerns, and questions. Responsible for deescalating situations.
  • Works with guests/clients on practical problems such as acquiring identification, accessing income assistance, applying for housing, checking placement on housing waitlists, and providing financial administration. Coordinates access to assistance with disability applications, mental health treatment and support.
  • Liaises with other sites and community partners and assists guests/clients with accessing services related to survival needs like healthcare, housing, food, clothing and social support.
  • Contributes to a collaborative working relationship with internal and external stakeholders to develop, manage and evaluate guest/client care plans. Liaises regularly with Overdose Outreach Team, VCH Integrated Housing and Outreach Team, Forensics Outreach Services, Vancouver Intensive Supervision Unit and the Vancouver Integrated Supervision Unit, Intensive Case Management teams, and the Assertive Community Treatment teams to secure care and support for guests/clients.
  • Works respectfully and appropriately with the police, probation officers and courts to assist guests/clients with navigating legal systems.
  • Assists guests/clients with daily living needs such as storage management, pod cleaning, home support, and linen changes.
  • Maintains guest/client administrative records, including health and care plans, financial/banking, daily shift reports, job draw information, and other checklists.
  • Collects information from guests/clients and completes specialized sheltering and outreach data collection forms including, HIFIS, the outreach tracker, guest support info, external referral tracking sheets, and housing allocations spreadsheet.
  • Uses logs and care plans to document observations, monitoring guest baselines, noting perceived decompensating behaviours and coordinating access to appropriate supports.
  • Responsible for crisis intervention in the event of overdose and responding to complex emergency situations. Strong knowledge of current street drugs and their presentation in individuals experiencing overdose symptoms is required.
  • Complies with the Book of Knowledge procedures for medication storage and dispensing over-the-counter treatments. Provides prescription medication reminders, as needed. Coordinates with pharmacies for guest/client access to medications.
  • Maintains accurate computerized and paper records in accordance with established procedures and policies, prepares and maintains statistical information, correspondence, reports and other documentation.

Education and experience

  • Diploma in Community Social Services.
  • Recent related experience of two years or an equivalent combination or education, training and experience in sheltering or outreach services.
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and Mac OS.
  • Current First Aid and CPR certification.
  • Narcan and overdose management training is a must.
  • HIFIS training an asset.

Terms of employment

Salary: $31.56 p/hr plus 10 per cent in lieu of benefits. Overnight and weekend premiums.

This is a unionized position under CUPE 5536.

Successful applicants will be required to complete a criminal records check.

PHS strives to create an inclusive and welcoming workplace that reflects the community we serve. We seek a diversity of skills, knowledge, backgrounds, and professional and lived experience in our staff. We particularly encourage applications from Indigenous individuals.

How to apply

Send your resume to  jobs@phs.ca  today! Please include a cover letter identifying the position title you are applying for, and the qualities and competencies that would make you a suitable candidate.

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