Come work as a Priority Populations Outreach Worker with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)!

Vancouver Coastal Health is looking for a graduate of a Community Social Service program to join the Priority Population Outreach Team in Vancouver, BC as a Priority Populations Outreach Worker. Apply today to join our team!

About the Populations Outreach Team:

The Priority Populations Outreach Team is an emerging response outreach team within the public health department. This team is designed to shift an pivot to the emerging needs of vulnerable populations. Examples of the work that this team does includes tuberculosis and sexual health screening in low-barrier settings, vaccination clinics, and piloting of programs and projects as emerging needs arise. A large portion of this work takes place with clients in the Downtown Eastside however, also services various other priority populations.

As a Priority Populations Outreach Worker with Vancouver Coastal Health, you will:

• Work as a member of an interdisciplinary team to provide support and outreach services to vulnerable/marginalized clients and communities impacted by emerging public health issues such as the overdose response, climate related emergencies, emerging pathogens/communicable diseases and a range of urgent/emergent crises with health impacts.
• Work in various community health work sites such as community health centres, mental health team offices, shelters, physical location/offices or sites of other community based organizations.
• Provide harm reduction support to navigate access to a range of pharmaceutical alternatives to the toxic street drug supply and coordinate prescribing access for substance use with community based clinicians and related support services.
• Monitor clients by observing their health condition and environment, arrange, plan, escort and transport and/or /accompany designated or marginalized individuals on appointments, errands and other activities, as required.
• Create linkages to other community resources and programs and assists clients in accessing benefits or assistance as appropriate by providing brief planning and coordination on issues related to substance use, OAT, overdose prevention, harm reduction, primary care access or urgent mental health assessment.
• Under the direction of the Registered Nurse, administer medication to clients and provide medication reminders.
• Liaise and work with community resources and healthcare providers to provide basic health-promoting information and promote development of life-skills to clients.
• Perform a variety of general clerical duties, attend meetings and participate in patient care planning and coordination, as assigned.

Education & Experience

• Diploma in Community Social Services and one (1) year’s recent, related experience in an interdisciplinary healthcare environment working with people with substance use issues and/or those suffering from complex mental health issues, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
• Valid BC Driver’s license and access to a personal vehicle, as required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to work with marginalized and culturally diverse populations including those with mental health and substance use issues. 
• Working knowledge of harm reduction principles and practices. 
• Broad knowledge of mental health, substance use and non-judgmental attitude towards problematic substance use through their recovery.
• Broad knowledge of community bed-based services available for clients experiencing concerns with their substance use.
• Demonstrated listening and information seeking skills that promotes communication and lead to a cooperative approach to problem solving within a multidisciplinary setting.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and establish rapport with clients and families.
• Working knowledge and familiarity with health and social service programs for the designated area.
• Working knowledge of harm reduction principles, trauma informed practice and indigenous cultural safety.
• Crisis prevention/intervention and conflict resolution/de-escalation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment including with other community agencies.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated skill in CPR techniques and First Aid.
• Ability to operate related equipment including applicable software applications.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.

The hours of work including days off and work area may be subject to change consistent with operational requirements and the provision of the Collective Agreement and applicable statutes. Successful applicants may be required to complete a Criminal Records Review Check.

As per Ministry of Health policy, all health care workers working in publicly-funded health care facilities are required to report their past receipt of certain vaccines or history of certain infections. Collecting these records will allow for offering of any missing vaccines, and for appropriate actions to be taken in the event of any future exposure to a communicable disease or during outbreaks. For all new hires and appointments to Vancouver Coastal Health, you will be asked to provide this information as part of the onboarding process.

WHY JOIN VANCOUVER COASTAL HEALTH?

VCH is a world class innovator in medical care, research and teaching, delivering service to more than one million BC residents. At VCH, we embrace thinking boldly, taking smart risks, and "going first" when we believe it will lead to the best possible outcomes for patients and their families. We invite you to join us in creating healthy lives in healthy communities by showcasing our passion for care, connection to the communities we serve and our culture of teamwork that makes VCH a great place to work.

• Comprehensive health benefits package, including MSP, extended health and dental and municipal pension plan
• Grow your career with employer-paid training and leadership development opportunities
• Wellness supports, including counselling, critical incident and innovative wellness services are available to employees and their immediate families
• Award-winning recognition programs to honour staff, medical staff and volunteers
• Access to exclusive discount offers and deals for VCH staff

At Vancouver Coastal Health, our vision of healthy lives in healthy communities inspires us and our values and pillars guide us. We support equitable practices, diverse teams and inclusive environments, which are vital to creating welcoming spaces where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and feel supported. We encourage applications from equity-deserving communities, including Indigenous Peoples and members of racialized groups, people with disabilities and people of all gender identities and expressions and sexual orientation.

Vancouver Coastal Health is proud to be recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers in 2024.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for this posting.


***Employees of VCH must apply online via the Internal Career Portal on CareerHub, you are currently viewing the External Career Portal. Refer to the https://my.vch.ca/working-here/job-postings site for instructions on how to view internal job postings and how to apply as an employee. Current VCH employees who apply to this posting using this external site will be considered as an external candidate. Seniority will not apply.***

Thank you for your interest in Vancouver Coastal Health.