VACANCY STATUS: Please note that this posting is for an existing Full-Time, Permanent position
WellFort is seeking an Outreach Worker to join the Bloom Team!
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
The Outreach Worker (OW) is a member of a mobile and interdisciplinary team delivering itinerant services throughout the Region of Peel to people living with or at risk for acquiring Hepatitis C (HCV) and/or HIV/AIDS.
The OW will improve access to direct support, education, counselling and referrals through low threshold outreach to those living with or at risk of acquiring HCV. The OW will coordinate, design and deliver education and training sessions in consultation with other staff, provide support services, including facilitating the peer program and promote referrals to testing and treatment.
The OW is responsible for recruiting, training and supporting members of the community as Peer Support Workers.
The OW participates in client conferences to provide a forum for discussion of possible resolutions to client care issues.
The OW supports the development, implementation, and evaluation of HIV/AIDS and HCV initiatives within Region of Peel and links with the broader system to mobilize resources and promote overall system improvements.
ACCOUNTABILITY
The Outreach Worker reports to the Manager of Population and Urban Health.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
Outreach and Referrals
- Engage in street based community outreach, education and harm reduction distribution across Peel Region
- Build strong and authentic relationships with community members who are experiencing homelessness, people who use drugs, people who are incarcerated or otherwise involved in the criminal justice system, and Indigenous community members
- Design and deliver HCV, HIV and Harm Reduction education workshops to community members belonging to the populations served by Bloom Clinic, community service providers, specialists and correctional facilities
- Provide point of care HIV and HCV testing (inclusive of pre and post-test counselling) both on and offsite
- Provide information and referrals to internal and external resources as required and facilitate the referral of priority populations to WellFort staff, services and programs as needed and appropriate
- Participate in events that educate the community on issues related to HIV and HCV
- Participate in the development and support of public policies and strategies that have a positive influence on the determinants of health for people living with HIV and HCV
- Develops annual communications and outreach plans identifying stakeholders and stakeholder groups, key communications messages and outreach goals, objectives, activities and timelines
- Develop communications tools, promotional and outreach materials
- Conduct outreach activities throughout Region of Peel with a diverse range of stakeholder groups including the priority populations, families, community service providers, primary care providers, specialists, correctional facilities and ethno-specific organizations to raise awareness regarding HIV and HCV, promote the Bloom Program, connect with the priority populations and facilitate referrals to treatment and treatment supports
- Design and deliver HIV/HCV education workshops to a diverse range of stakeholder groups including the priority populations, families, community service providers, primary care providers, specialists, correctional facilities and ethno-specific organizations relevant community agencies stakeholder groups in addition to those living with HIV and /or HCV to increase awareness and knowledge regarding HIV/HCV prevention and treatment
- Develop and maintain excellent relationships with a diverse range of stakeholder groups community service providers, primary care providers, specialists, correctional facilities and ethno-specific organizations
- Provide information and referrals on internal and external resources as required and facilitate the referral of priority populations to WellFort staff, services and programs as needed and appropriate
- Participate in community events that educate the community on issues related to HIV and/or HCV
- Participate in collaborative community projects or WellFort activities to provide HIV and/or HCV services, education or information or to develop and implement collaborative service delivery strategies
- Participate in the development and support of public policies and strategies that have a positive influence on the determinants of health for people living with HIV and or HCV
- Supports other community outreach, community development and health promotion initiatives in WellFort
- Plans and facilitates workshops, presentations, health fair displays and videos in collaboration with relevant community partners where possible to vulnerable and at risk populations as well as the general public at community settings within Peel Region to build HIV/AIDS and Hep C awareness and provide information about prevention, including information about the social determinants of health
Peer Program
- Coordinate a Peer Support Worker Program to provide opportunities for people with lived experience to engage in meaningful program design and delivery
- Design training materials and resources for the Peer Support Worker Program
- Recruit and train community members for the Peer Support Worker Program
- Schedule and assign Peer Support Workers to carry out outreach, communications and education activities
- Ensure Peer Support Workers have the information and resources they need to carry out assigned activities
- Meet regularly with Peer Support Workers, both individually and in groups to provide support, coaching and ongoing training to assist peer support workers to achieve personal/professional goals and developing new skills
Case Management
- Participate in regular client conferences to ensure good communication regarding the needs of the client and to promote care planning and improvements in the quality of service provided to the client
- In collaboration with other staff and/or shared care partners, identify clients with complex needs
- Develop collateral contacts with other agencies and institutions in which the client is involved to facilitate comprehensive case planning
- Consultation with other staff and health professionals as required in establishing a plan of care
- Maintain up to date knowledge of community resources
Continuous Quality and Program Improvement
- Maintain accurate client records; ensure timely data collection and recording of all encounters electronically
- Participate in the development of the annual client survey
- Participate in the development of program specific reports that enhance WellFort’s ability to plan and evaluate the Bloom Program
- Participate in quality improvement planning activities
- Maintain competence through participation in professional development
- Develop and implement an annual work plan and work plan tracker in collaboration with direct supervisor, identifying performance and learning goals and priorities
- Assist and support the development and submission of funding proposals, grant applications, evaluations and other periodic written reports and presentations, as required
Administration
- Supervises and provides support for students from various disciplines with a particular focus on the determinants of health, primary health care and role of community development professionals within the CHC
- Develops and implements WellFort’s health equity plan
Professional Development
- Joins relevant professional groups to maintain professional linkages and support
- Participates in educational activities according to the needs of the centre and the career goals of the individual
Other
- Other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time
Contribution to team and centre activities
- Participates in staff meetings and on interdisciplinary teams
- Participates in the overall activities of the health centre in-service training, committees, special events, and shared staff responsibilities
- Communicates clearly, listen actively, be open to feedback, handle conflict appropriately, and display sensitivity to others
- Collaborates well with others, promotes cooperation and teamwork
- Participates in WellFort’s commitment to becoming discrimination-free and an inclusive health centre that strives to ensure that programs and services are as accessible as possible
- Maintains the reputation and confidentiality of the health centre and its clients at all times
- Endorses models and promotes a healthy and active lifestyle
- Works in a manner that respects and values the diversity of communities and individuals
- Works in a manner that reflects WellFort’s mission, values, and service delivery approach
- Adheres to all applicable WellFort policies and procedures
- Develops and maintain a flexible work schedule that accommodates the needs of the clients, community and the Centre
QUALIFICATIONS
- Post-Secondary education in a relevant field or a combination of lived/living and work experience relevant to the role
- Lived/living experience with any of the populations served by Bloom Clinic is an asset
- Experience with community based or street outreach in an employment or volunteer capacity
- Experience working from trauma informed, anti-oppressive and harm reduction frameworks
- Experience working with people who are experiencing homelessness, people who use drugs, people who are incarcerated or otherwise involved in the criminal justice system, and Indigenous community members
- Valid Ontario Driver’s license and access to a vehicle
- Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively in an interdisciplinary team environment
- Languages relevant to residents of Peel is an asset
APPLY
Requests for accommodation due to disability can be made at any stage in the recruitment process.
The successful candidate will demonstrate a willingness to participate in WellFort’s commitment to becoming an inclusive, barrier-free health centre and an ability to work in an interdisciplinary team. We encourage applications from individuals who can identify with the diverse communities we serve and invite these candidates to voluntarily share their relevant identities as part of their application.
We thank all applicants in advance for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. No agencies.
VACCINATION REQUIREMENT
As a condition of employment, new WellFort staff must be fully compliant with our Vaccination Policy unless they have received an exemption from vaccination under the Ontario Human Rights Code. Proof of vaccination status will be required before the first day of work or, proof of religious or medical exemption, if or where applicable.
As part of WellFort’s hiring process, we use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in screening and evaluating applications. All final hiring decisions are made by our human recruitment team.
