Wellness Worker
JOB SUMMARY:
Reporting to the Health Director, the Community Wellness Worker (CWW) provides support services and activities for the Kwakiutl community. While buliding community relationships, the CWW promotes a culturally safe, healthy and supportive enviorment that instills a sense of dignity and respect for community members. The CWW will provode advocacy, education, referrals and programs and activities to individuals, groups and families.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Develops and delivers mental health programs and activities in consultation with health staff to support implementation of the health work plan (eg: supports for trauma, grief, loss)
- Provides Kwakiutl culturally appropriate programs/services through consultation with Cultural Coordinator and/or elders/knowledge keepers designated by Cultural Coordinator
- Refers clients to psychological supports and other social service providers, as required
- Encourages and advocates the co-ordination of existing health and socail services within the region to help establish continuity of care for the Kwakiutl community members and families experiencing mental health challenges.
- Develops and facilitates self-help/ peer groups to encourage mental and emotinal wellness and empowerment
- Supports individuals by working one-on-one to strenghten individuals mental wellness
- Provides supports and programming to parents and families to strengthen functioning so that they can provide safe and healthy enviroments for their children and themselves
- Provides liason services between Kwakiutl Health Centre and Kwakiult Band programs and external health and social service agancies and supports
- Shares resources and regularly communicates meantal health resources, including off-hours resources, with community Health Centre staff
- Communicates and collaborates with Addictions and Recovery Worker to support community members
- Involves community members in developing a client-centered and holisitc approach to promoting mental health, wellness and healing
- Employs a collaborative teamwork approach in working with the Health Centre staff and the community to address mental health in a culturally safe manner
- Sets programming and goals in alignment with the Community Health Plan and in consultaion with other health staff
- Identifies the unique skills and abilities of community members who could assist in a holistic mental health, wellness, and healing program implementation
- Works with other health staff and contractors, employed by the Health Centre to ensure regular education around suicide prevention and intervention for the community and health staff
- Ensures incorporation of land-based programming pieces for mental health
- Submits written monthly activity reports to the Health Director and other reports as required
- Demonstrates respect for leadership and willingness to take direction in an efficient and timely manner
- Commits to upholding the cooperative collegial social climate of the Health Centre with consideration and appreciation for the distinct roles each member of the team fulfills
- Undertakes clinical consultation with Clinical Supervisor approved by Health Director on a monthly basis, responds respectfully to feedback from clinician, and integrates clinician feedback into practice
- Performs other duties as required to assist in implementation of the Health Work Plan or to provide back-fill coverage when directed
- Adheres to all Kwakiutl Band Policies and Procedures
REQUIREMENTS:
- Knowledge of the Kwakiutl community, culture and language an asset
- Post-secondary education in Social Work, Mental Health field, or equivalent education and/or experience
- One year of related work experience
- Understanding of cultural humility and openess to evolving and learning
- An understanding of mental health issues and concurrent disorder issues, and evidence based best practices
- Understanding of trauma-informed approaches and complex trauma
- Knowledge and understanding of history of First Nations relationships with child welfare, understanding of how the current child welfare system works, and understanding of how to work with their systems
- Knowledge of applicable legislation, such as Mental Health Act and the Guardianship Act
- Knowledge and training in Crisis Response Protocols ans suicide assesment, prevention, intervention and postvention
- Excellent verbal and written communication and listening skills, respectful understanding of client needs and respectful interactions with clients, creating positive relationships
- Thorough knowledge of Microsoft Office, Outlook, Word and Excel
- Must have role model behavior that encourages clients and members of the community to live a healthy and responsible lifestyle
KEY RELATIONSHIPS:
- Work closely with the various health agencies, medical professionals, and other First Nations
- Maintains good relations with the Kwakiutl community promoting good health and wellness
WORKING CONDITIONS:
It is paramount that all positions within the Health Team strive to communicate and serve the Kwakiutl people in a manner that respects, enhances and promotes the cultural identity and well-being of both the individual and the health care providers. This position will strive for cultural safety by:
- Gaining cultural awareness and cultural sensitivity
- Understanding and complying with any Kwakiutl policies or position of statements on "cultural safety" and ensuring it is reflected in individual training/professional development plans
- Ensuring that plans, policies and activities undertaken promote the holistic health and well being of the Kwakiutl in a way that incorporates and promotes cultural aspects of the Kwakiutl people and traditions
- Assisting in the articulation and establishment of cultural influence expectations in the Kwakiutl Health Centre planning and day-to-day operations
- Must successfully and periodically undergo an appropriate criminal records check. KBC will reimburse the cost
- Must provide proof of certifications prior to employment
- Required to work in a variety of different enviroments
- Must be respected in the community
- Demonstrated ability to work well with others
- Demonstrated ability to maintain confidential information
- May be required to periodically work outside of normal working hours, and to function independently
- Must have a valid BC Drivers license and up to date First Aid and CPR
- Smoke and scent free enviroment
- Harassment and violence free enviroment
- Possession of a valid driving license and means of transportation are preferred
PAY: $25-28 HR
Applicants must apply by submitting both a cover letter and resume to:
Caitlin Hartnett, Health Director or fax 250-902-2246, or submit in person Attn: Caitlin Hartnett, Kwakiutl Health Centre, 97 Tsakis Way, Port Hardy BC, V0N2P0.
Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.