Health Care Worker, Community Mental Health

Fraser Health is the second largest health system in Canada with over 45,000 staff, medical staff and volunteers, and is the largest of five regional health authorities in British Columbia, providing hospital and community-based health services to nearly 2 million people in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.

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All new hires to Fraser Health must have full COVID 19 vaccination (have received a full series of a World Health Organization “WHO” approved vaccine against infection by SARS-COV-2, or a combination of approved WHO vaccines). Please note this applies to all postings, and individual medical exemptions must be approved by the Provincial Health Officer.

In accordance with Fraser Health's Vision, Mission and Values, Mental Health & Substance Use program mandates and clinical practice guidelines, and under the general supervision of the Coordinator, the Health Care Worker works closely with the inter-professional community mental health team, agencies and community providers in the provision of time-limited services to individuals with lived experience and their family members across the mental health continuum who require support in the community.

Provides consistent, relevant and timely rehabilitation & recovery-based supportive services that focus on access to MHSU information and services including stabilizing, bridging and transferring client(s) to appropriate services, and supporting their navigation of the health care system. Services may be provided on an outreach basis when required in order to assess and/or engage with clients within their own environment and community. Establishes a dignifying, purposeful and trusting relationship with clients. Encourages knowledge exchange in day-to day activities, and empowers clients and natural supports to connect and engage within their communities.

1. Participates in recovery planning with clients and clinical team members by engaging in conversations with clients to help identify goals, problems and needs, 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. Communicates and consults with clinical team members to share information about client care issues, resources and discharge planning. Collaborates with the client and the clinical team to support the client to meet individual needs and situational requirements. Explains the recovery plan to clients and their families; refers clients to rehabilitation and other adjunctive services as per the clinical team.
3. Acts as a resource to the client's family or the mental health team regarding the availability and suitability of support services to ensure the development and implementation of an appropriate recovery plan; facilitates the involvement of clients in self-help approaches including practical problem-solving, engagement with consumer advocacy groups and client-initiated changes in all aspects of their life including their mental illness, substance use and other health conditions.
4. Provides client advocacy services with other agencies, services and service providers. Assists with creating an effective and supportive connection between peer supports, community service providers and MH&SU clients.
5. Assists clients with community integration activities, and escorts clients to a comprehensive range of community services and opportunities. Accompanies clients to physicians and other scheduled appointments.
6. Observes and monitors client progress; communicates and consults regarding the care and support plan with the client and the mental health care team in order to ensure continuity of appropriate care for the client.
7. Provides recovery-based support as defined by the clinical team and recovery plan, through demonstrations/modelling/behavior management, while facilitating client attendance at rehabilitation, social, and vocational training programs; supporting clients at interviews with human resources, commercial sources and community colleges; enabling clients to find therapeutic volunteer placements and by facilitating client attendance at community recreational activities.
8. Provides supportive services to clients in individual or group format.
9. Provides supports related to housing including assisting in packing and transporting personal belongings and helping the client to set up their household, supporting the client in cleaning, and orienting to and connecting with the local community.
10. Distributes medication to clients as per established policy and procedure.
11. In accordance with established standards, policies and procedures and to ensure continuity of communication and client documentation, prepares and maintains written and computerized records including client records, progress notes, incident reports and on-call logs, writing timely, accurate and relevant observations including client and family teaching and evaluation of care. Completes other program documentation as required.
12. Participates in the evaluation of client care programs, planning & development and quality improvement activities that facilitate team goal setting, by providing input and feedback at staff meetings, committees and in-services regarding techniques, standards, policies & procedures, effectiveness and client care outcomes.
13. Participates in the orientation of students.
14. Participates in multidisciplinary conferences and with psychiatrist as required.
15. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Grade twelve (12) plus successful completion of the Community Mental Health Worker Certificate or Social Services Worker Diploma and two (2) years' recent related experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Valid Class V BC Driver's License and access to a personal vehicle for business related purposes.

• Demonstrated working knowledge of psychosocial rehabilitation, its concepts, principles & practice.
• Demonstrated group and individual intervention skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of community resources and health related support services.
• Listening and information seeking skills that promote communication and leads to a cooperative approach to problem solving within a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to observe and recognize changes in clients.
• Ability to establish and maintain rapport with clients.
• Conflict resolution and crisis intervention skills.
• Ability to instruct.
• Advocacy skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to deal effectively with others.
• Ability to organize work and determine work priorities.
• Ability to operate related equipment.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.