Community Support Worker

Provision of individualized support, life, and social skills development

• Assistance with bathing
• Assistance with personal care (oral, hair, nails, etc)
• Assistance with toileting and/or incontinence care
• Assistance in transferring in/out of bed, wheelchair, bath, or vehicle and use of lifts
• Assistance with dressing/undressing
• Assistance with running errands (shopping, outings, doctor’s
  appointments)

Responsible for the maintenance of the clients’ environment

• Changes bed linens
• Performs housekeeping duties (including, but not inclusive to, laundry, dusting, general cleaning, vacuuming and dusting, washing floors and walls as required)
• Performs outdoor duties (including, raking, lawn mowing, weeding, sweeping, and similar light outdoor work).
• Removes snow and ice from the walkways in inclement weather.
• Cleans wheelchairs.

Under the guidelines of the Canada Food Guide and Licensing Regulations, staff prepares food items, shops, and stocks supplies. Responsible for maintaining Licensing health codes, and resident satisfaction (food quality, wholesomeness, presentation, portion control, and maintenance of resident’s Care Plans).

• Keeps kitchen and dining area in a safe, sanitary and orderly manner.
• Understands and complies with VIHA Licensing codes to ensure the health and safety of the residents.
• Prepares menu food items and substitutes as allowed, with consideration given to the Canada Food Guide, the Food Safe standards, and specific Care Plans, which address client nutrition plan and allergies.
• Assists with feeding and is familiar with eating disorders and feeding methods.
• Inventories and restocks food supplies, rotating stock as needed.
• Trains able residents to help in the kitchen, understand and comply with all applicable health codes and regulations, safe equipment operation procedures, portion control, food quality standards, and cleaning the kitchen and dining area.

Responsible for assisting the client to engage in activities that provide variety, stimulation, self-esteem, and emotional well-being both at home and in the community. Development and delivery of psychosocial support groups on a regular basis in accordance with the Care Plan.

• Provides social, recreational, and occupational activities that are within the ability of the clients. The clients are to be encouraged to be a participant, and not merely an observer, in these activities, in order to develop new skills, and move towards greater independence.
• Provides opportunities to attend local community events, cultural celebrations, and opportunities to be with friends in the community.
• Participates in all-day program and recreational activities.
• Supports individuals who do not have family connections to develop personal support networks appropriate to their individual needs and interests.

Responsible to read, understand, and comply with the regulations regarding medications and treatment as described in the Community Care Facility Act and the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia, and the VITAL Society Policy and Procedure Manual.

• All staff on duty are responsible for medicine administration and will oversee and advise staff in training.
• Follow the 5 rights of Medication Administration: right person, right medication, right dose, right route, and right time.
• Report any errors, adverse reactions or irregularities to the Med Mentor & Program Coordinator.
• Report all medication errors or irregularities on the Medication Incident Report.
• Adhere exactly to the Medication Procedure as outlined unless otherwise directed by the house manager, the client’s doctor, or the pharmacist.
• Document all medicines administered in the Medicine
• Administration Notebook.**E-MAR in effect Fall of 2015

Responsible for knowing and maintaining the health and safety standards for the home, including all special protocols for emergency situations.

• Responsible for reporting all safety issues to the appropriate person(s) as soon as possible.
• Follow Care Plans for behavioral outbursts to de-escalate aggressiveness.
• Follow Licensing regulations and VITAL Society Policy and
• Procedures for Emergency Procedures.
• Document thorough Critical Incident Reports and or Internal Reports on Share vision.

Training/Orientation
New staff coming onto the casual list will be required to work a minimum number of hours in a program prior to being eligible for call-in to that program. This is varies depending on the applicant’s experience level, or number of individuals/individual needs, at the discretion of the Program Coordinator.

• Available to work different shifts as required, and participate in a rotation of days off that result in working weekends, holiday, etc.
• Available to work night shifts, which require staff to remain awake and alert through the night time hours in order to deal with any behaviours, crises, or any issues that may arise.
• Responsible to communicate pertinent information to the appropriate individuals, and must be able to discuss clients in a professional manner with outside persons and agencies, and to deal effectively with family and friends of the clients.
• Punctual, and responsible for following policies regarding shift trades, arranging leaves of absence, notifying management when ill
• Responsible to keep track of leave credits earned and used.
• Aware of and use proper lines of communication in addressing issues.
• Maintain confidentiality of information at all times.

Job requires you to be physically fit to handle frequent standing and walking. Lifting and assisting clients occurs with varied frequency. Vital’s will provide you with a form for your physician to complete to confirm.

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Class 4 Driver’s License and Driver’s Abstract
• Must be an adult
• Communicate effectively in oral and written form.
• Holds a current Adult Care First Aid and CPR certification
• Maintain an atmosphere of dignity and respect for the clients while carrying out duties.
• Conducts self, both at work and in the community, in a manner consistent with the standards of the Licensing regulations for being of “good moral character”.
• Clear Tuberculosis test
• Current clear Criminal Record Check
• Current Flu Shot as determined by VIHA- or ability to wear a mask during flu season.

• Community Support Workers should hold a social services or related diploma or degree from a recognized college and/or university, and have experience in mental health services, supportive housing programs, group facilitation and working with clients with complex mental health needs.
• Knowledge of MCFD/CLBC/VIHA health and safety codes pertaining to residential and community programs.
• Mandt Certification