Independent Living Support Worker

Health Association Nova Scotia (Metro Community Living) - Halifax, NS, Canada

Title: Independent Living Support (ILS) Community Residential Worker (CRW)

Location: Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM)

Position: Full-time, Part-time, Casual

Job Description & Position Overview

Metro Community Living (MCL) is an organization funded by the Department of Community Services (DCS), namely the Disability Support Program (DSP).

Job Description

The CRW empowers individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities as well as mental health challenges by enabling them to live their best lives in Nova Scotian communities. This includes– though is not limited to –active community engagement, support opportunities for social inclusion, life skill development and assistance with activities of daily living (ADL). The CRW adheres to Active Support and least restrictive practices while establishing and maintaining meaningful relationships with the individuals they support.

Reporting to the Independent Living Support (ILS) Program Coordinator (PC), the Community Residential Worker (CRW) is responsible for providing direct support to MCL’s ILS participant population. The CRW is also responsible for the daily planning, organization and administrative functions as it relates to service delivery.

The CRW hours are flexible and can be unpredictable in order to respond to participant and programming needs. The CRW will work with the scheduling team to determine specific scheduling details.

Participant Planning and Support

1. Responsible for providing direct participant support.
2. Responsible for maintaining strict confidentiality on all matters pertaining to the participants served.
3. Supports participants with scheduling and attending all medical, mental health and therapeutic appointments and that treatment recommendations are implemented in collaboration with the PC.
4. Responsible for collaborating with the PC to conduct formal and informal participant assessments.
5. Responsible for completing Individual Program Plans (IPP) and quarterly reports, proper documentation for medical and mental health records and information from relevant others. These records are then submitted to the PC for review.
6. To work collaboratively with the participants' treatment teams.
7. Responsible for fostering positive working relationships with community partners.
8. Ensures participant Special Needs Requests are identified and submitted to the PC in a timely manner.
9. Identifies and documents any participant concerns, informs the PC, ensures that all action plans and necessary follow up are completed and documented in a timely manner.
10. Responsible for providing direct support to participants to ensure that their living environment is in accordance with MCL’s program standards and reporting any concerns to the PC.
11. Monitoring the health and safety of participant apartments and reporting any concerns to the PC.
12. Support with the on-boarding and planning of new ILS participants.
13. Performs other related duties as assigned by the PC.

1. Ensures all participant cash request documentation are submitted to the PC monthly.
2. Following the standard operating procedures for all participant documentation in a timely manner, such as Daily Records, Appointment Record Forms, Incident Reports, Mileage Reimbursement Forms.
3. Performs other related duties as assigned by the PC.

1. Supports the orientation of new employees.
2. Responsible for attending regular staff meetings.
3. Responsible for ensuring good standing of all mandatory training certificates.
4. Participates in company advisory groups as applicable.
5. Performs other related duties as assigned by the PC.

1. Education and a minimum of 1 year’s experience in the Human Services sector is considered an asset.
2. Valid NS Driver’s License and access to a reliable vehicle.
3. Courses required: Non-Aversive, Crisis Prevention, SFA/CPR, Basic PCW, Fire & Life Safety, Medication Awareness & Individual Program Planning, Food Handlers, Mental health first aid and WHMIS.
4. Strong communication skills, written and oral.
5. Experience in recreation and leisure and/or community services.
6. Clear and current criminal record check with vulnerable sectors.
7. Able to travel majority of the time.