Full Time - Residential Support Worker

About this position

About RCS

Regeneration Community Services (RCS) is a non-profit community mental health and addictions supportive housing provider. RCS was founded more than 40 years ago, to provide quality affordable supportive housing and support services to persons with mental health and addictions issues in Toronto. RCS is proud to support over 400 individuals on their recovery journey, with a housing stock of over 350 units across the city.

Position Statement

The Dowling House is a newly funded 24-hour, high support, supportive housing site in Parkdale dedicated to the specialized service of client-members designated as Alternative Level of Care. Residential Support Workers are responsible for providing a range of services to client-members, consistent with the values and goals of the program/agency, as well as government legislation/regulations. RSW’s provide hands-on assistance to address the physical/cognitive, mental health and addictions needs of client-members. RSWs are required to provide support to client-members with daily living activities and assist with shopping, food preparation, cooking, food serving, and client-member supervision. This position requires that individuals assess potential crisis situations and intervene accordingly, while maintaining established routines of the program including all security, fire, general health and safety procedures. RSW’s facilitate the overall efficient running of the program and building, consistent with the philosophies of the agency and under the direction of the Program Manager.

Specific Responsibilities

1. Establish a working relationship with client-members that supports their dignity, personal empowerment and facilitates addressing their psychosocial, behavioral and medical needs.  

2. Provide support and assistance to client-members in such areas as personal hygiene, cleaning personal space, informal supportive counselling, food preparation, social recreational activities and other needs as they occur.  

3. Assess crisis situations as they arise and deal with them according to program procedures.  

4. Assist client-members to resolve interpersonal conflicts.  

5. Provide support to client-members in maintaining appointments with professional supports in the community as assigned.  

6. Support client-members in their medication regime if needed.  

7. Liaise with clients’ personal and professional supports in the community.  

8. Maintain accurate records as determined by program protocols, including client files, shift entries, incident reports, and medication records.  

9. Participate in supervision and staff training, as determined by the Program Manager.  

10. Participate in direct service activities to ensure the efficient operation of the program and the building, including cleaning, cooking, serving food, resident intervention, medication supervision, and perform minor maintenance services to maintain the safety standard of RCS properties (such as changing light bulbs, salting, snow shoveling, toilet plunging, pest control preparation, etc.).  

11. In the event of unforeseen staff illness/emergency an employee may be required to extend their scheduled shift in order to provide coverage until a replacement staff can be located to cover the next shift.  

12. Plan and implement group programming.  

13. Documentation of client-member interactions in accordance with RCS policies, procedures and protocol

Agency Responsibilities

1. To be aware of and adhere to agency policies and procedures found in the Employment Policies & 

Procedures Manual. 

2. Work within the standards outlined in RCS Employment Policies & Procedures Manual. 

3. Reflect the philosophy of the organization and to follow all policies and procedures. 

4. Adhere to provincial and RCS privacy and confidentiality guidelines.

5. To accurately adhere to the agency data reporting requirements. 

6. To participate on agency committees. 

7. To participate in agency special events.

8. To engage in ongoing professional development.

Qualifications

A degree or diploma in health/social services and/or relevant experience within the mental health system.  

- Understanding of the link between systemic discrimination and mental health using an anti-

discrimination/anti-oppression framework.  

- Sensitivity to the stigma, marginalization, and poverty experienced by many client-members.  

-Ability to interact with client-members in a positive and supportive manner while respecting their autonomy and individuality using Recovery Model principles.  

- Knowledge of available community and mental health resources in the City of Toronto.  

- Strong counseling and crisis intervention skills.  

-Knowledge of a trauma-informed approach.  

- Ability to communicate effectively and work within the context of a team.  

- Group facilitation skills an asset.  

-Ability to lift a minimum of 30 pounds.  

- Computer competent and literate (word-processing, email, internet).  

- Personal characteristics of flexibility, resourcefulness, independence, sensitivity, persistence, and commitment are necessary.  

- Sound judgement and decision-making, time management, problem solving and organizational skills.  

- Food Handlers Certification, if applicable.  

- First Aid and/or CPR certification an asset

Additional Requirements & Information

This job posting is intended to reflect the general duties of the position and suggest the general level of skill and complexity. There may be additional duties related to specific RCS sites and programs that will be outlined by the successful candidate’s supervisor.

Given the unique nature of our work environment and the complex individuals we serve, all RCS employees are expected to comply with all RCS policies and procedures, and the Occupational Health and Safety Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.1.

Job offers are conditional upon:

Proof of identity.

Proof of eligibility to legally work in Canada.

Submission of a satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Screening, at the successful candidate’s expense, which indicates that you are suitable for employment with RCS and meet RCS’s safety requirements; and

Positive reference checks satisfactory to RCS.

Note to External Candidates

As part of our hiring practices, we encourage and particularly welcome applications from traditionally marginalized communities. This includes but is not limited to: consumers/survivors; members of racialized communities; Indigenous, First Nations and Métis individuals; members of the LGBTQ2+ community; and individuals with disabilities.  In an effort to keep our congregate housing settings as safe as possible, all new external candidates will be expected to provide proof of having received the COVID 19 vaccine.

RCS is committed to providing accommodations for applicants with disabilities in all stages of the recruitment and hiring processes, and throughout employment. If you require an accommodation, please bring this to our attention and we will work with you to meet your needs.

How to Apply

Submission Deadline: September 17, 2021 

Submit to: Ramond Phipps, Program Manager

[ramond.phipps@regenerationcs.org]