Direct Support Worker

The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory•Saskatoon, SK

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Salvation Army is seeking a Direct Support Worker to provide support to residents in a residential shelter for men. This role involves strictly following program policies and procedures, being aware of residents' activities, preparing shift exchanges, and caring for residents' needs. The Direct Support Worker will document daily activities, fill out incident reports, and develop options and recommendations for issues. They will also work with the Case Management team to provide resident information for case plans and communicate effectively with residents about supports, resources, and rules. This position requires working in cooperation with other staff members and treating all residents, volunteers, and the public with respect, dignity, and confidentiality. The role involves small cash interactions, reconciling tills, and distributing supplies like linen and hygiene products. The working conditions include a 24/7 facility with day, night, and evening shifts, with optional on-call work available. The environment can be noisy and may involve dealing with angry, abusive people, verbal abuse, moderate injury risk from physical attacks or exposure to infectious diseases, and sharp objects.

Requirements

Completion of high school is required.
Minimum one year experience in a setting working with marginalized clientele with a focus on mental health support.
Basic knowledge of Computers.
Criminal Record/Vulnerable Sector.
Understanding and support for the mission and purpose of The Salvation Army in Canada and its implications as related to position responsibilities.
Ability to develop and sustain professional working relationships with residents, members of the public, other agencies and staff, keeping strict confidentiality and appropriate boundaries.
Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form.
Ability deal with difficult people.
Ability and willingness to respect, promote, and support the mission, vision, and values of TSA and develop an understanding of the purpose of the Salvation Army in Canada and its implication as related to position responsibilities.
Strong sense of integrity and confidentiality with professional ethics and a balanced sense of fairness and flexibility.
Strong understanding of professional boundaries when working with a vulnerable population.
Strong listening, written, and verbal communication skills – clear and simple to understand.
Able to proactively recognize potential risks, conflicts, and issues, respond with solutions and coaching.
Attention to detail, problem solving, and analytical skills.
Patience and ability to deescalate situations.
Ability to coach and provide constructive feedback.
Ability to make decisions within established framework while understanding the impact decisions will have on programming as well as programs around them.
Ability to organize and prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
Strong interpersonal and motivational skills.
Demonstrates effective interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to deal with internal and external contacts at all levels of the organization in a professional manner.
Ability to develop and maintain a team environment; work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness.
Demonstrated ability to take initiative, be reliable, and operate in an environment of accountability.
Understands the dynamics of resident’s behaviour with the ability to assess their needs and risks.
Ability to demonstrate understanding of and empathy toward cultural differences.
Ability to work in high stress, busy environment.
Must be willing and able to pass Government of Canada Personnel Screening.

Nice To Haves

Completion of a formal post-secondary/college diploma program of 2 academic years in Social Service Work, and/or Mental Health & Addictions is a strong asset.
Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Certificate or willingness to obtain.
Narcan/Naloxone Training or willingness to obtain.
Trauma informed care training or willingness to obtain.
De-escalation training or willingness to obtain.
First Aid/CPR.
Mental Health First Aid.
Experience working within the field of Mental Health and Addictions is a strong asset.
Demonstrated understanding of the Behaviour Based Model.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Suite.

Responsibilities

Provide support to residents.
Strictly follow program policies and procedures.
Be aware of all residents and their activities, prepare shift exchange and care for residents’ needs.
Document business requirements, process and report as needed.
Document daily activities of residents in log book.
Fill out incident reports as necessary.
Develop and document options and recommendations to issues and problems.
Support key stakeholders in understanding the implications of options and decisions.
Work with Case Management team to provide resident information that helps develop case plans.
Communicate effectively with residents so that they are aware of the supports, resources and rules that are here for them.
Work in co-operation with other staff members in job related areas and treat all residents, volunteers, and members of the public with respect, dignity and confidentiality.
Responsible for small cash interactions.
Reconciling till at end of shift.
Responsible for giving out linen, hygiene products etc.