We are seeking an Outreach Worker who is passionate about promoting health and wellness equity in the Downtown Eastside (DTES) to join the Social Navigation team at Kilala Lelum Health and Wellness Cooperative. The Social Navigation team is composed of Social Workers who provide outreach-based, culturally-safe, trauma-informed care to members (patients) accessing the health centre and Relational Care.
The Social Navigation team operates out of our office at 687 Powell St, and our facilities which also include 606 and 626 Powell Street aim to provide access to food security, nursing and allied healthcare services, and Elder-led cultural care to new and existing members of Kilala Lelum. Our clinic supports 2000 unique individuals, and the Social Navigation team provides holistic supports to those seeking psycho social supports, seeing approximately 600 members a month between social navigation drop-in, outreach, food security, and other allied programming.
Job Summary:
The Social Navigation Outreach Worker (0.8 FTE), supported by an integrated health services team, will work closely with Social Navigation to provide support services to members living in the DTES.
Working within an integrated health service delivery model and with an interdisciplinary care team that includes primary care providers, Allied Health providers, and Cultural Wellness, the Outreach Worker will monitor members, conduct outreach, and document/provide verbal reports on observations to the rest of Social Navigation. The Outreach Worker role is integral in that it helps establish therapeutic relationships with folks in the DTES in order to improve access to cultural connections and healthcare services for members of Kilala Lelum.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct outreach to members in the community; deliver medications and food.
- Facilitate the use of community services/resources.
- Liaise and coordinate services with the integrated care team and community agencies.
- Participate in the process of case planning, assist members with medication management, and accompany members to appointments as needed.
- Act as an advocate for members’ health and psychosocial needs.
- Establish, maintain, and enhance therapeutic relationships based on respect.
Qualifications & Skills:
- Knowledge of and experience providing culturally safe and competent care, specifically pertaining to Indigenous people, and a commitment to ongoing professional development in Indigenous Cultural Safety.
- Knowledge and experience in trauma-informed practice, harm reduction, and recovery-oriented care preferred.
- Experience working with people with mental health and substance use disorders an asset.
- Experience and knowledge of Indigenous peoples and Indigenous culture would be extremely beneficial; ability to maintain culturally safe environment at all times.
- Ability to establish and maintain rapport with members.
- Ability to deal effectively with conflict, manage aggressive behaviour, and use non-violent crisis intervention and behavioural management techniques.
- Ability to work independently and as part of an integrated team.
- Ability to: establish/maintain satisfactory work relationships with the public and other employees; deal tactfully and effectively with co-workers, public, and staff from other agencies; maintain confidentiality; and communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
- Community service worker diploma, or equivalent experience an asset.
- Basic computer literacy to operate a computerized client care information system.
Working Conditions:
- Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position (walking up to 10km/day).
- Homebase will be 687 Powell Street in the Social Navigation space; other work will take place offsite, including at partner sites, hotels, SROs, and private apartments following the safety guidelines demonstrated by the Social Navigation team.
Supervision Provided:
This position is supervised by the Allied Health Lead and will receive support from the Social Navigation team, the Administrative Lead, and Executive Director.
Additional Information:
- Hourly salary to be determined based on experience.
- Hours of work will be agreed upon to meet requirements of 0.8 FTE.
- Includes robust extended health and dental benefits package.
- Kilala Lelum Health Centre is committed to equity and diversity, and we encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or membership or self-identification as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.
To Apply:
Please send a resume and cover letter to [email protected] by Friday, March 28. 2025. Your cover letter should clearly articulate why you are interested in this role and working with Kilala Lelum, how your background is a good fit for this specific role and our organization, and your current availability and desired schedule. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
KL Model of Service:
