Working in and from the worksite, the Indigenous Support Wellness Worker provides assistance and support to guests in their living environment while encouraging independence, self-responsibility, and healthy lifestyle choices. This individual possesses a high level of cultural competency and provides advocacy and wellness support from a trauma-informed and Indigenous lens. The Indigenous Wellness Support Worker has strong knowledge of cultural practices and experience providing holistic support to individuals of an Indigenous background in respect to their goals.

Functions & Responsibilities:Under the Site Manager and Operations Director, it is the Indigenous Wellness Support Worker’s responsibility to:

• Facilitate and arrange access to cultural practices and events (ex: smudging ceremonies, community gatherings, Indigenous teachings).
• Research community supports available to Indigenous individuals and connect them to resources based on individual needs and goals.
• Participate in cultural healing and knowledge sharing from an Indigenous perspective.
• Assist with resident support by identifying potential problems and reporting any difficulties to the Building Coordinator and Management.
• Recognize, analyze, and deal with potential emergency situations such as clients’.
• Observe residents and identify and assess potential emergency situations, and develop short-term strategies to deal with such situations, including de-escalating challenging behaviors.
• Provide supportive feedback and behavior management to residents, their families, and their personal networks, to assist with the development of physical, social, emotional, and life skills such as maintaining personal hygiene, housekeeping (garbage removal, laundry assistance, dishes, changing of linens, sweeping/mopping of floors, bathroom cleanliness, etc.), meal planning and preparation, making and keeping appointments, and interpersonal skills when required.
• Complete hourly rounds of the building and grounds to maintain safety and security of the housing site, addressing issues if found.

• Complete and maintain related records and documentation in the Community Builders database such as resident interactions, progress reports, and daily logs.
• Assist with monthly room checks if required.
• Conduct wellness checks.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Be informed of Harm Reduction policies and be available to support residents with safe use practices, including overdose response or first aid when required.
• Maintain cleanliness in amenity and lobby areas.
• Maintain and clean staff and shared bathrooms.
• Assist care aides and Home Support with resident rooms and personal care support when required.

Qualifications:

• A minimum of completed Gr. 12 education.
• Six (6) months of recent related work experience or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Strong knowledge of Indigenous history, culture, and healthcare practices.
• Certificates in Narcan Training, First Aid, and Non-Violent Crisis Intervention training (NVCI).
• Criminal record check.

Skills & Abilities:

• High level of cultural competency and knowledge of current social issues affecting diverse populations.
• Ability to work in a harm reduction environment, which includes an observed consumption area, as well as familiarization with the principles of harm reduction.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.
• Able to work independently with minimal supervision, exercise initiative and good judgment.
• Ability to operate related equipment.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to organize and prioritize.
• Ability to observe and recognize changes in clients.
• Ability to establish and maintain rapport with clients, staff, and management and collateral service providers.
• Home management skills.
• Ability to instruct.
• Ability to analyze and resolve problems.
• Conflict resolution and crisis intervention skills.
• Ability to assist with medication support and to follow established policies and procedures.
• Advocacy skills.

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