Indigenous Recovery Support Worker

Who are we looking for?
Do you believe in the power of culture, connection, and compassion to support healing? As an Indigenous Recovery Support Worker, you’ll bring together cultural teachings, traditional practices, and harm reduction approaches to meet people where they are in their recovery. In partnership with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, families, and care teams, you will help create culturally safe pathways to wellness, open doors to hope and empowerment, and strengthen the health of communities for generations to come.

There are 4 permanent, full-time positions based out of Kelowna, BC with shifts that follow a 7-day rotation.

What we offer:

• An attractive remuneration package
• Excellent career prospects
• Employer paid training/education
• Employer paid vacation
• Employer paid insurance premiums
• Extended Health & Dental coverage
• Municipal Pension Plan
• Work-life balance

How will you create an impact?

In accordance with the vision and values of the organization, the Indigenous Recovery Support Worker uses their knowledge of mental health and substance use, harm reduction, recovery-oriented system of care, and cultural and Traditional Practices to assist Indigenous Peoples requesting cultural supports throughout their recovery journey. The Indigenous Recovery Support Worker works in partnership with the person, caregiver/family, and interdisciplinary care team to provide coaching, mentoring, information, coordination, and support services for wholistic, culturally relevant, wellness-focused care in accordance with an established personalized care plan.

As an integral part of an interdisciplinary team, the Indigenous Recovery Support Worker facilitates individuals in transitioning across the continuum of care, including inpatient (bed-based) or outpatient (at home or community-based) services, withdrawal management and stabilization, and community aftercare supports. As the person and care team delineate various treatment and support needs, the Indigenous Recovery Support Worker assists in identifying and working through the steps for success, walking alongside the person in the delivery of seamless addiction treatment, transition, and aftercare supports.

What will you work on:

• As part of the interdisciplinary care team, participates in the development, maintenance, and delivery of a client-centered personalized care plan by:

o Engaging the client in cultural supports by coordinating access to cultural resources (including language, ceremony, land-based healing, group activities such as Talking Circles, and Traditional Medicine) and in collaboration with Elders, Traditional Healers and/or Knowledge Keepers, when requested by the client;
o Honouring individual self-determination, working in partnership with the client to develop self-identified goals and short-term strategies to address and reduce harm in various situations;
o Providing regular check ins and suggested recommendations to the treatment, transitional and aftercare support plans, ensuring the client’s voice, goals, strengths and choices are included, within established guidelines;
o Documenting the care requested, including information regarding cultural considerations, and progress made in the communications books; maintains client records;
o Participating in regular case consults with the appropriate Case Manager on the condition, behaviour, performance, goal attainment and progress, and care needs of clients and their caregivers/families.

• Develops reciprocal relationships based on mutual respect with the client, caregiver/family and other identified supports including Elders, Traditional Healers and/or Knowledge Keepers, to provide information, coordination, and support services for people across the continuum of care.
• Provides coaching, mentoring and follow-along support in accordance with established care plans to assist in goal setting, action planning and engaging strengths to assist with the development of skills for wellness, promoting health, reducing harm and strengthening skills for empowerment and resourcefulness. Reports resolvable advocacy situations that may contain an as yet unidentified treatment need or element of discrimination to the Case Manager.
• Observes and supports individuals in appropriate medication management or provides medication reminders, in accordance with the established personalized care plan and established policies and procedures.
• Observes and monitors clients in accordance with their established personalized care plan and responds in potential emergency or crisis situations in accordance with established procedures. Provides timely feedback and recommendations to the Case Manager regarding the management of the crisis.
• Observes, recognizes and reports emotional, behavioral and functional changes in clients’ such as: sense of health and wellness; satisfaction with lifestyle patterns; personal interests and self-identified goals; confidence in self-direction and assumption of personal responsibility; sense of belonging, motivation, and self-determination; level of engagement and belief in service effectiveness; support needs.
• Maintains an awareness of current community resources related to cultural supports, wellness and harm reduction, with particular attention to resources developed and led by Indigenous organizations. Assists the client to navigate, access, create connections, and support ongoing involvement, as required.
• Maintains a current knowledge of and complies with all organizations administrative and clinical policies, department and program policies and site protocols or procedures to reflect the use of evidence-based best practice and standards (e.g., identify the key issues).
• Ensures a safe and healthy working environment by observing universal precautions and infection control procedures; removing obvious hazards; reporting faulty equipment, accidents, injuries, and near misses; and adhering to and enforcing rules, and reporting requirements regarding IH safety policies and procedures.
• Participates in staff meetings, quality improvement initiatives, committees and in-services, and maintains up-to-date knowledge through involvement in work-related continuing education, as required by the employer.
• Engages, works alongside, collaborates with, and provides organizational assistance including training, scheduling, monitoring and providing feedback and support to volunteers and peer coaches, and assists with orientation of new staff and education experiences of students, as well as sharing expertise with other members of the team, as required.
• Completes and maintains related records and documentation such as progress reports, statistics, and daily logs.
• Facilitates client connection to PSR programs and community aftercare supports, including those that are client planned and initiated activities (e.g. day programs, supportive housing, life skills classes, and peer recovery groups) as required, to support people on their path to wellness.
• Promotes community awareness of these programs and performs public relations and promotion activities such as preparing public relations material and advertisements, liaising with community groups, and arranging media coverage of events. Maintains contact with community groups and volunteer organizations to promote interest, participation and support for the programs.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Interior Health strives to create an environment where you enjoy the work you do, the place where you work, and the people around you. Together, we create great workplaces. Apply today!

Pursuant to section 41 of the British Columbia Human Rights Code, preference will be given to applicants of Indigenous Ancestry. Applicants should include First Nation, Metis and/or Inuit Self Identification within their resume and/or cover letter
Education, Training, and Experience:
Experience participating in and/or coordinating cultural activities that honor Indigenous values, beliefs, knowledge and teachings including working under guidance of Elders, Traditional Healers and/or Knowledge Keepers.

Grade 12 plus a certificate in a field relevant to the position (i.e., community social services) plus one (1) year recent related experience working with individuals experiencing mental health and/or substance use challenges, and/or recovery-oriented system of care, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

A valid BC Driver’s License.

Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge and understanding that language, cultural beliefs and practices differ widely between First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples and communities.
• Knowledge of Indigenous health and wellness practices, including cultural continuity and wholistic vision of wellness.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing with clients and their families, colleagues, physician and other healthcare staff, both one-on-one and in groups.
• Ability to organize, prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Ability to analyze, problem solve and resolve conflict using restorative justice approaches.
• Ability to observe, recognize and report emotional, behavioral and functional changes in clients.
• Ability to establish relationships based on mutual respect and maintain effective relationships with clients and their caregiver/families.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to use effective interpersonal skills to establish/maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, the public and other agencies.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.
• Ability to operate related equipment including proficiency in relevant computer applications.