Job Description
Social Worker
Community Programs
Full-Time
What we do and why we do it:
The Alex Community Health Centre provides comprehensive health and social services in a welcoming, accessible, and non- judgmental environment. Located within The Alex Community Health Centre, the Community Social and Wellness Team offers accessible services and programming based on the principles of inclusivity, dignity, advocacy, and empowerment. We take a trauma-informed approach providing social and wellness supports for a diverse population. The Alex Social and Wellness Team provides integrated services related to physical health, mental health, social supports, cultural supports, peer supports, justice navigation, nutrition, addiction, and life skills, which reduce barriers and improves clients’ outcomes. The Social and Wellness team is integral to the functioning of the Community Health Centre as well as promotes civic engagement for positive change in our community.
Reporting to the Team Lead, Social & Wellness and working collaboratively with the broader team of professionals at The Alex, the Social Worker is a key member of the Social and Wellness Team and is responsible for using a variety of approaches to support Alex community members to achieve stability and wellness. The Social and Wellness Team is one of the first points of contact for people entering Alex clinics and programs and works with front-of-building staff to provide support with immediate psychosocial and instrumental needs and to support clients to move forward with their lives. Most of the work is completed at the main Alex site but includes an outreach component when supporting people with external appointments and outreach visits as appropriate. This is a full-time, permanent position.
What you will do:
Work in a multi-disciplinary team of professionals- Empower individuals to access available resources by contacting or phoning supports directly, or searching for information online
- Ensure clients and professionals are welcomed and triaged appropriately, and are supported effectively
- Provide support during crisis/emergency situations by utilizing de-escalation techniques and/or motivational interviewing skills as appropriate
- Help clients to directly meet immediate needs, including food security, financial supports, and social inclusion by means of education or direct referrals
- Assist in health navigation and provide intake overview for Alex clients
- Engage in supportive conversation with individuals to discuss and explore personal goals and help connect to internal and external services to assist in achieving their goals
- Assist clients in meeting their medical and social needs in the community, including transportation and support with external appointments
- Support in the collection of data for various programs and clinics connected to the Community Health Clinic
- Be a creative problem solver and can think outside the box in order to help clients achieve success where they formerly have not
- Provide services to assist participants with needs such as housing, entitlements, employment, education, community integration, etc.
- Conduct psycho-social and service assessments as appropriate and contribute to individualized service plans
- Offer client-centered and culturally informed services
- Complete data collection and required documentation with excellence, in accordance with agency policy and procedures, and respective of professional college requirements
- Facilitate group programming for participants and staff relevant to expertise
- Other duties as required
Minimum diploma or bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Addictions Counselling, Community Rehabilitation, or a related field; Masters’ degree preferred- Eligible for registration with their professional discipline in Alberta (e.g., Alberta College of Social Workers)
- Minimum two years of experience in a social service setting
- Certificate in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention/De-escalation or equivalent; or willingness to obtain within three months of employment is required
- Experience working with vulnerable populations with significant mental health and substance use issues
- Strong knowledge base of local resources for housing, mental health, addiction, community support, finances, etc.
- Comfort meeting individually with participants in the community, in a broad variety of settings, with a safety-first mindset
- Knowledge of evidenced-based interventions (e.g., motivational interviewing, de-escalation skills, crisis intervention, etc.)
- Motivational Interviewing Training preferred
- Exceptional communication, organization, advocacy, teaching, and rapport-building skills
- Commitment to contributing positively to team culture
- Openness to a wide scope of practice with commitment to innovation and flexibility
- Proficiency establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with clients, associates, and other community agencies
- Standard First Aid – Level C CPR & AED within 30 days of hire date, certification must be valid for a minimum of 6 months upon hire
- Knowledge of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP) and the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions (TRC) 94 Calls to Action is an asset.
Most work will be completed at the main Alex site, but involves some outreach in the community where our clients live- 1 FTE (37.5 hours/week). Standard hours 8:30 – 4:30, Monday to Friday
- Continuous extended periods of sitting, standing, or walking (sometimes up or down stairwells)
- Occasional driving as part of work duties
- Occasional physical action, and requires the ability to bend/crouch, reach above shoulder height, kneel/crawl, and carry objects (up to 20 lbs.) throughout shift
- Occasional time outside in all weather conditions
Driving on behalf of The Alex:
This position is required to use your own vehicle for work-related use or drive Alex vehicles for work purposes. Where required, candidates must show proof of a class 5 non-GDL driver’s license, a personal vehicle, a clean 5-year drivers abstract, and $2 million liability insurance to meet our insurance providers requirements.
How to apply:
If you are as passionate as we are about making a difference in people’s lives, please visit our career centre: Jobs at The Alex | The Alex.
This position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. We will make every effort to accommodate candidate’s schedules and needs in all parts of the hiring process.
In accordance with our strategic priorities, we particularly encourage applications from individuals who self-identify as racialized* or Indigenous (First Nation, Metis, or Inuit).
- The term “racialized” is used here instead of the more outdated and inaccurate terms “racial minority, “visible minority”, “person of colour”, or “non-White”.
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