Job Posting: SOS MSW

SPECIALIZED OUTREAH SERVICES (SOS)

SOS is an integrated team of professionals that offer flexible outreach supports to individuals experiencing homelessness or street-involved individuals with substance use, mental health, or concurrent issues by providing supportive nursing, counselling and support coordination, connections to primary care, and connection to other community services

SOS is a flexible and adaptive team that works from the perspective of unconditional positive regard to meet people where they are at. SOS provides flexible, low-barrier access to medical, mental health and substance use supports. SOS is committed to a trauma-informed, person-centered and harm reduction approach. SOS works from non-judgmental perspective with a commitment to relationship based work to bring clinical services to the streets, shelters and encampments. SOS works holistically to address social determinants of health by providing access to medical, mental health and addiction supports. The SOS program is based on the values of social justice, inclusion and hospitality.

The SOS team is integrated into the Inner City Health Alliance (ICHA), which offers intensive place-based, onsite supports as well as primary health care, shelter services, housing and social supports designed for individuals who are experiencing homelessness, precarious housing, poverty and complex physical and mental health needs.

THE INNER CITY HEALTH ALLIANCE

The Inner-City Health Alliance (ICHA) is a new responsive local village of health and social support agencies serving those living in vulnerable conditions, specifically those at risk of experiencing homelessness, suffering from mental illness and substance use. This sustainable and supportive model aims to provide wrap around services that meet people where they are at and where they wish to receive services.

To address these needs, the goal of the Inner-City Health Alliance is to improve people’s health through timely, coordinated, integrated health and social services. The Alliance’s approach is to walk alongside people, listening and learning while providing timely care that honours the person’s physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental state.

There are seven agencies in the ICHA including Sanguen Health Centre, The Working Centre, The Centre for Family Medicine (CFFM), House of Friendship (HoF), Kitchener Downtown Community Health Centre (KDCHC) and Ray of Hope. Each of these agencies have their own unique set of services, and providers of care including physicians, nurses, volunteers, social workers and counsellors.

THE WORKING CENTRE

The Working Centre is a mature community-based organization, since 1982; creating access to tools for those without work, those without housing and the most vulnerable in the community. St. John’s Kitchen serves 400 people a day who experience homelessness/are at risk; Street and Specialized Outreach services help people to problem-solve issues of health care, income, housing, legal issues; our Housing/Shelter supports currently support 280 people; Money Matters offers financial problem-solving and income tax support; Job Search Resource Centre; Job Café offers creative minimum wage work; Community Tools Projects

THE SOCIAL WORK ROLE

The Social Worker Specialized Outreach Services will work as part of dynamic, multi-disciplinary team to offer clinical services including social support, health care and harm reduction services to people who are experiencing homelessness, mental health concerns and substance use challenges. Responsibilities include: receiving and triaging referrals, intake assessments, provision of clinical counselling, support coordination and case management, system navigation, risk assessment, collaborative care planning and liaising with community partners (shelters, hospitals, treatment teams, justice system, family members).

Qualifications:

  • Masters of Social Work Degree from an accredited university
  • Current registration and in good standing with Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
  • Must be fully vaccinated
  • Minimum 3-5 years of work in community mental health
  • Front line experience in outreach an asset

Responsibilities & Skills:

  • Highly skilled in de-escalation and de-briefing
  • Experience managing and responding to crisis situations and mental health emergencies
  • Demonstrated skills in crisis management, bio-psychosocial assessment, mental status examination, clinical treatment modalities
  • Working knowledge of community resources, supports and services
  • Working knowledge of the Mental Health Act and Recovery Principles
  • Clinical assessments: initial/intake assessments; risk of harm assessments
  • Provide case management, support coordination to address determinants of health, including housing, shelter, employment, food security, substance use and mental health concerns
  • High level of professionalism & acceptance of personal responsibility
  • Understanding of anti-oppression principles and ability to work effectively with people of various cultural, age and economic backgrounds
  • Ability to work collaboratively within and across teams, developing and maintaining positive relationships with service providers

Working Conditions:

  • Able to work flexible hours primarily within a 5 day, Monday to Friday work week; some evening and weekend work
  • Includes outdoor work and visiting homes
  • Able to travel within the KW area

 

Please submit your resume and cover letter to our Indeed posting.

Salary: $37-$40 per hour

Benefits: Generous benefit package after 3 months

COVID-19 considerations: Proof of COVID vaccination required

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