Social Services jobs in Canada

• Care Navigator, Black Health & Social Services Hub
• Permanent Full Time Position: 35 hours per week
• Expecting Start Date: January 2024
• Salary Range: $24.51 to $29.41 per hour
• Number of positions: 1
• Location: East Mississauga and Various Locations Across Peel Region

LAMP Community Health Centre (LAMP) is partnering with Roots Community Services Inc (Roots CS) and the Canadian Mental Health Association Peel Dufferin (CMHA Peel Dufferin) to design, develop and implement an integrated health and social services hub with and for the Black, African and Caribbean (BAC) communities in Peel Region. The Hub will provide primary health, mental health, addictions and social services programs that will holistically address the physical, mental, social and cultural needs of BAC communities, and seek to eliminate disparities and inequities.

To achieve our goals, we are recruiting people who are passionate about delivering culturally relevant, responsive and affirming care that will inspire individuals to improve their wellbeing.

Reporting to the Director of Clinical Services (BHSS Hub), and working closely with the above partners, the Care Navigator is responsible for supporting BAC community members and Hub clients as they navigate the health and social service system. As one of the first points of contact for the Hub, the Care Navigator will be responsible for developing holistic care plans with Hub clients, coordinating care, and providing information and referrals to support clients in managing their overall health and wellbeing. The Care Navigator will work in close partnership with healthcare providers and other administrative and support staff (within the Hub, as well as external partners) in regard to triaging and clinical decisions.

The Care Navigator will ensure that all organizational policies are followed; ensure the provision of high-quality services to clients in keeping with LAMP values, Hub principles, and the health priorities of BAC communities; and reflect the high-quality work and integrity of LAMP and the Hub collaborative at all times.

Primary Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary point of contact for Hub clients and community members requiring support in navigating health and social services in Peel Region.
• Use the framework of the Social Determinants of Health and culturally safe approaches to conduct screening and assessment with Hub clients, in order to identify needs, strengths, and goals.
• Engage in care planning to support individuals and families in improving holistic health outcomes.
• Identify resources (both internal to the Hub, in Peel Region, as well as within the Greater Toronto Area) that will enhance BAC community member capacity to meet their goals and self-manage health needs.
• Form relationships with community partners who provide culturally safe programs and services, in order to facilitate warm referrals for Hub clients.
• Provide warm, supportive referrals to community resources.
• Support clients in accessing specialist referrals through healthcare providers.
• Advocate on behalf of clients to support in accessing referrals and resources.
• Provide support in handling inbound and outbound calls for the Hub.
• Contribute to triaging of clients.
• Attend stakeholder meetings where intake and service navigation matters are addressed, providing solutions and following up as appropriate in a timely manner with all concerned parties and nurturing those relationships as a trusted representative of LAMP CHC and the BHSS Hub.
• Function as backup to the Intake Liaison, which involves conducting intake sessions, completing required forms and booking appointments or initial assessments with care providers with the support of the Medical Office Administrator (MOA).
• Document and maintain waiting lists for Primary Health Care and Diabetes Care, providing follow up as required.
• Provide feedback and/or input in the development and evaluation of policies and procedures for the role or otherwise as requested to support program enhancement.
• Contribute to overall team functioning by assisting where needed and with the development of quality and process improvement initiatives.
• Advance the Hub’s work by participation in activities that seek to strengthen collaborative and interdisciplinary teamwork, such as interdisciplinary committees.
• Maintain and develop new professional competencies as directed by their supervisor.
• All other tasks and duties as assigned by the Supervisor/Manager.

Minimum Requirements

• Social Services diploma/degree, or similar from a recognized institution and/or equivalent work experience.
• Two to three years of experience in a community health setting providing systems/service navigation.
• Understands privacy legislations, medical and health care system, diversity and inclusion.
• Experience and knowledge of the impacts of social determinants of health.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with addressing the health priorities of Black, African and Caribbean populations, and awareness of culturally safe resources.
• Knowledge of health care coverage programs.
• Excellent interpersonal skills necessary to work effectively across all levels of the organization’s diverse workforce.
• Experience working with persons in crisis and or a reliable ability to respectfully deal with person(s) in distress; de-escalation skills are required.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to clearly convey information and ideas.
• Great attention to detail with the ability to work under pressure, account for results, and meet challenging deadlines while maintaining a positive attitude.
• Positive attitude and dependable with strong initiative and the ability to work both independently and in a team-oriented atmosphere.
• Recognizes LAMP’s culture, values and philosophy when dealing with clients with different backgrounds and perspectives.
• Open minded, eager and willing to constantly learn and improve oneself.
• Current Driver License is an asset.
• Knowledge of LAMP Community Health Centre (CHC) and Hub Partners, resources in Peel Region, as well as a second language that is reflective of the community being served are all preferable assets.

Proficiency in the Following Computer Skills

• Excellent working knowledge and ability to navigate a PC windows environment, including shared drives and SharePoint.
• Advanced skills and experience using Microsoft applications (Word, Outlook & Excel).
• Advanced skills and ability to easily navigate the internet/intranet environment.
• Experience and accuracy using database applications (i.e. Electronic Medical Records eg. Telus Practice Solutions).
• Ability to learn new software quickly and willingness to continuously develop technology skills.

Working Conditions

• Fast pace environment of busy team of doctors, nurses, counsellors, allied health and health promotion team.
• Paperless work operation with internal and external electronic communication.
• Flexible working hours from 9 am to 8 pm during week, weekends, evenings and statutory holidays as assigned.
• Travelling to multiple locations on a regular basis for attending meetings, trainings, workshops, outreach and home visits.
• Ability to effectively understand and apply guiding fundamentals at LAMP and the BHSS Hub, i.e. Health Promotion, Anti-Oppression; Harm Reduction and the principles of community-based practice as part of daily work.
• There is an expectation for all employees to participate in community outreach events for the agency; these events may be during the evening or on a weekend.

Physical Requirements

• Frequent data entry, with extended periods of time sitting stationary in front of a monitor while keyboarding.
• Ability to balance all job requirements in a busy atmosphere, including responding promptly to all communication.
• Occasional standing for extended periods of time and some occasional lifting may be required.
• Demonstrates good and safe work habits, and maintains a clean working environment.
• Ensures that staff and clients are compliant with LAMP and the BHSS Hub’s Health & Safety regulations and LAMP’s policies and procedures, including the immediate reporting of any breaches of Health & Safety or Environmental incidents, accidents or concerns to their respective manager/supervisor and/or the Director, Human Resources & Operations.

As part of our mandate for inclusivity, reasonable accommodations can be made for all incumbents to perform the described physical functions of the aforementioned job.

Location

How to apply:

LAMP Community Health Centre is dedicated to achieving a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community the Black Health and Social Services Hub (BHSS Hub) serves and encourages applications from individuals who belong to African, Caribbean and Black Canadian communities.

Please send your resume with a cover letter to Human Resources:

Subject│Job Opening for Care Navigator, BHSS Hub

Internal Deadline│5:00 pm on Friday, January 17, 2025

External Deadline│5:00 pm on Friday, January 24, 2025

We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those selected for interviews will be contacted.