Addiction Support Worker

Indwell•Kitchener, ON

5d•CA$47,700 - CA$57,530•Onsite

About The Position

This full-time Addiction Support Worker position, reporting to the Program Manager, is responsible for providing tenants with supports that help achieve health and housing stability. The role involves working within a collaborative interdisciplinary team, reflecting principles of person-centered and evidence-based care by assisting with coordinating and delivering mental health and addiction services to tenants. The position provides or supports treatment, rehabilitation, and support for individuals living in supportive housing, specifically serving those who have experienced long-term housing instability and/or long-stay hospitalizations. This role requires a high level of resilience and a willingness to work in close proximity to challenging situations. The work culture is based on core values of DIGNITY, LOVE, and HOPE, embracing diversity, promoting equality, and inclusion. The role involves walking alongside others, hearing their life journeys to provide client-centered care and develop coping skills. Indwell is a Christian charity founded in 1974, focused on serving people impacted by poverty and homelessness through its vision of HOPE and HOMES for All. It is the fastest-growing developer in Ontario, creating affordable, high-quality, efficient housing communities with supportive programs for over 1,300 tenants.

Requirements

College diploma or bachelor’s degree with a focus on addictions.
Experience working in mental health and/or addictions, with harm reduction approaches to substance use.
Knowledge of concurrent disorders and of various addiction treatments/theories is required.
Experience working within a case management framework with individuals with serious mental illness, substance use, or other special needs.
A client centered approach, using trauma-informed strategies to support residents.
A warm, sensitive and caring approach with a genuine interest in supporting a diverse population of people living with mental illness.
Demonstrated ongoing learning and experience around supporting diverse individuals and communities (i.e. cultural safety, anti-racist and anti-oppressive practice, etc.).
Strong communication, listening, interview and assessment skills, as well as critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Effective crisis intervention and conflict management skills.
Ability to work effectively in a high stress environment, work independently, be flexible, organized, responsible and take initiative.
Excellent written, verbal, time management and organizational skills.
A commitment to interpersonal collaborative teamwork and care and continuous professional development.
Committed to upholding and modeling the standards set out in the organization’s Mission Statement, Statement of Faith, Code of Conduct and other operating standards and policies.

Nice To Haves

Certification with CCACF is considered an asset.
Familiarity with SPDAT/ the Ontario Common Assessment of Need is an asset.

Responsibilities

Skilled in building therapeutic relationships with tenants with a recovery-oriented, trauma-informed approach, promoting hope and trust.
Comfort and familiarity with a harm reduction approach.
Develop, contribute to, and carry out individual tenant support plans, including any relevant assessment tools as appropriate and ensuring consistent follow-up to treatment and recovery plans.
Hold responsibility for a primary case load under supervision of Program Supervisor.
Work individually with tenants to identify and achieve substance related goals as it relates to their individual support needs and recovery.
Support tenants to connect with community resources and supports, including both clinical and informal supports.
Encourage tenant connection to community-based, culturally meaningful programming.
Support tenants in issues related to maintaining their health and housing.
Reinforcing tenants’ life skills, including spiritual, social and coping skills.
As a representative of a faith-based organization, recognize and promote the role of spirituality and provide support and guidance as required.
Confident in utilizing crisis management and intervention skills.
Respond to tenant complaints/concerns with care, compassion, and efficiency.
Develop and facilitate relevant group programming to meet the needs of the community.
Assist with meal preparation and delivery as needed. Participate in dinner alongside tenants.
Assisting with admission and orientation of new tenants.
Maintaining a safe and healthy environment.
Support and build capacity within the interdisciplinary team around substance use and relevant tenant-centered approaches.
Collaborate with interdisciplinary team to assess specific program needs regarding substance use and other addictions.
Work as part of an interdisciplinary team to provide direct and indirect support to tenants, encouraging housing stability. These supports may include: medication administration, apartment checks, community events, and other supports as necessary.
Work with tenants to maintain a safe apartment; engage in life skills training as needed.
Keep interdisciplinary team informed of community opportunities and emerging trends related to best practices in addiction support for tenants.
Support and collaborate with Volunteer Coordinator to integrate program volunteers into addiction support activities. Complete volunteer logs as required.
Assist in the orientation and support of staff, students and volunteers.
Attend and actively participate in team meetings and other agency meetings as required.
Maintain positive written and verbal communication.
Demonstrate positive relationships within the Indwell team.
Promote and demonstrate the vision, mission and values of Indwell within the workplace and community.
Keep apprised of new research and developments relevant to your role, through workshops, journals, websites, and literature. Transfer knowledge back to the team and tenants in the most effective manner available.
Follow applicable regulations, policies and procedures.
Work collaboratively with Facilities, reporting maintenance needs to ensure upkeep of buildings/ground.
Complete regular environmental checks, including requirements of the building’s Integrated Pest Management plan.
Use appropriate procedures when responding to emergency situations.
Ensure your own health & safety, that of tenants and co-workers by adhering to health & safety standards.
Complete required safety checks and inspections as assigned.
Attend and participate in all required training to maintain and develop new skills.
Complete required reports in a timely manner in accordance with policy and procedures.
Perform administrative tasks as assigned, such as rent collections and financial records.
Complete required documentation in a thorough and timely manner with a focus on maintaining and protecting tenant health records.

Benefits

Vacation: 3 weeks paid (15 days) with 8 HEAL days (sick and personal appointments) per year.
Extended health (100% medication coverage- some exceptions may apply), dental and vision care.
Life Insurance and long-term disability.
Employee Assistance Program- primary care and professional consulting services.
Group RRSP: Indwells contributes 5% of salary.
New Staff Orientation Days.
Professional and Personal Development- annual Leadership Conference (themed with guest speaker) + Spiritual Ranch Retreat (reflection and recharge with various outdoor activities).
Clifton Strengths Finder Assessment facilitated by People Developer for mentoring opportunities.
Lunch and Learn Webinars.
Indigenous Cultural Competency and 2SLGBTQ Awareness + more.
Social Events: Indwell’s Hope and Homes Banquet yearly to celebrate the important work we do + team gatherings.