Mental Health Care Aide/Support Worker

Fraser Health•Mission, BC

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Mental Health Care Aide/Support Worker participates in the provision of client-focused treatment, rehabilitation, and support for persons with severe addiction and mental illness in a residential, community-based facility. Promotes a physically, psychologically and culturally safe, healthy and non-threatening environment that instills a sense of dignity and respect. Participates in planning, development, implementation, delivery, and modification of clinical services by responding to identified client needs, within the program’s guidelines. Motivates, assists, and encourages clients with the activities of daily living, reports client’s condition, including reactions to medications. Escorts and provides accompaniment for clients to off-site programs, appointments, and other planned events. Assists clients’ ability to assume self-care responsibility.

Requirements

Graduation from a recognised Health Care Aide program and a certificate or diploma in Mental Health & Substance Use or Social Services diploma, and one (1) year recent related experience working with persons with addictions and/or mental illness including the provision of personal care, teaching life skills.
Registration with the BC Care Aide Registry.
Current Level C Basic Life Saving Certificate Food Safe Certificate.
Valid Class 5 BC driver’s license and access to a personal vehicle for business related purposes.
Ability to apply principles of psychosocial rehabilitation using a client-centred approach.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Ability to work independently and in cooperation with others.
Ability to develop and maintain therapeutic rapport with clients and help clients to understand their illness and the rehabilitation process.
Ability to work effectively as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
Ability to analyze and resolve problems.
Conflict resolution and crisis intervention skills
Ability to exercise sound judgement in keeping with the program philosophy.
Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
Ability to operate related equipment.

Responsibilities

Participates as a member of a multidisciplinary team, contributing to the development, modification and implementation of a recovery plan and rehabilitation services, based on the identified needs of the client, following the principles and values of a recovery-oriented approach.
Follows individual recovery plan formulated by multidisciplinary team by motivating, assisting, and instructing clients in care activities (i.e., bathing, personal hygiene, dressing, laundry, household cleaning, nutrition, meal planning, cooking, feeding).
In accordance with safety guidelines, assists clients with rest and mobilization based on their current condition/ability. This includes use of the pre-handling check and adherence to all safety protocols for transferring, use of mechanical lifts, bath lifts, use of transfer belts, assisting with walking, and ambulation by wheelchair/therapeutic chair, positioning in bed or wheelchair and use of commode. Provides bed patient care as required.
In accordance with established policies and procedures, encourages independence in maintaining continence which will include routine toileting, changing incontinence products, applying, and caring for urinary drainage systems, ostomy care. Collects specimens and records intake and outputs. May administer suppositories and enemas under the direction of the RN/LPN.
Performs client assessment including taking and recording temperature (oral, axilla, tympanic), pulse and respiration. Measures and records height and weight, and intake and output and documents as per facility policy.
Promotes skin integrity by encouraging mobility and observing and reporting any changes in skin condition. Applies medicated and non-medicated lotions, hot and cold packs, non-sterile dressings as directed by the RN or LPN. Monitors pressure relieving surfaces and reports any changes.
Where assigned, administers medication, including, if authorized, adjusting depending on the client’s condition in accordance with the rehabilitation plan.
Motivates, assists, and teaches clients to manage affairs such as money management, shopping, banking, use of public transportation, participating in recreational and cultural activities.
Arranges for, prepares clients physically and emotionally, and escorts clients to off-site programs, appointments and other planned events and reviews such events with clients after.
Where assigned, advises clients of their rights and obligations related to the Mental Health Act and regulations; ensuring clients’ rights of privacy and confidentiality are maintained.
Assists clients with group problem-solving and conflict resolution.
Responds to, and in accordance with standard procedures or specific directions, reports any unusual or dangerous behaviour including assessing the potential harm to the individual client and others.
Completes and maintains related records and documentation such as recovery care plans, progress notes, statistics and daily logs.
Maintains awareness of, and utilizes community resources and agencies such as education, recreations, life skills and health services.
Contributes to the ongoing monitoring of the physical site and ensures safety of the building, equipment and supplies and reports any issues to the Coordinator.
Attends staff in-service and continuing education programs and approved work-related conferences and seminars as directed. Serves on committees and attends meetings as required.
Performs other duties as required.