Health Care Support Worker – HiHo , a Harm Reduction-Based Housing Program, Downtown Vancouver – Atira Property Management Inc. – Vancouver, BC Freelance

The Opportunity:

Reporting to the Program Manager, HiHo, the Health Care Support Worker is responsible for the day-to-day work of supporting residents at HiHo with a wide array of emotional, health and practical support. Activities include but are not limited to assessing the health and well-being of residents and making referrals to health-care and other service providers, participating in case conferences and helping develop health and safety plans, conducting regular health and safety checks, liaising with Vancouver Coastal Health regarding residents’ medical needs as well as with a number of other community partners, liaising with doctors and nurse practitioners regarding providing a safe supply of medication, dispensing medications as directed by health care providers including the administration of naloxone, conducting intakes, providing one-to-one support, accompaniments, advocacy and personal support, connecting residents with legal services, access to treatment, actively helping residents keep their rooms clean and prepare for pest control, and preparing and delivering food.

About You:

You are flexible and open to taking on new and diverse tasks whenever needed. You are a quick thinker who is able to make decisions without agonizing and who knows when to reach out to others for guidance and or support. You embrace the mission, vision, values and philosophy of Atira’s parent Society, Atira Women’s Resource Society. You put residents first and work to include them in all of the decisions that affect their lives. You have a well-developed understanding of and commitment to anti-oppression work and intersectionality. You are familiar with colonialism, especially as it applies in Canada, and you understand the impact of the residential school system. You are committed to working with residents who may (or may not) be COVID-19 positive, who may be struggling with substance use, brain trauma and cognitive impairment and or mental wellness. You understand and are comfortable working within a harm reduction environment and while you support tenants who choose abstinence, you understand abstinence is just one option for those struggling with substance use.

You have a degree, diploma or certificate in a health-care related discipline with one – five years’ experience (depending on education) as a front-line health care worker working with people affected by trauma and who may also struggle with substance use and or mental wellness. The equivalent combination of experience and skill-based training may be considered. Lived expertise is an asset, as is living in the community in which you work. Atira strives to hire staff who reflect the people we serve.

Additional Requisites/Assets:

All positions are subject to a criminal record review. A recognized, relevant and current first aid certificate is a significant asset as in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention certification. Food safe certification is also an asset.

Shifts: 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.