Seniors Community Connector
Job Title: Seniors Community Connector
Languages: Proficiency in Arabic, Filipino or Korean
Status: Regular, Part Time
Schedule: Monday - Friday
Hours: 21 hours
Wage: $28.32 - $32.51/hour
Grid: 12
Position Start Date: March 25, 2024
Posting Date: March 19, 2024
Closing Date: open until filled.
Please note that internal applicants must apply by March 25, 2024, internal applications received after this date will not be considered as internal and seniority will not apply position will remain open until filled.
Opportunity
A Seniors Community Connector plays an integral role in bridging the gap between healthcare and social care. As a Social Prescribing professional, you partner with community organizations to provide non-medical support to improve the overall health and well-being of older adults in your community.
The Seniors Community Connector will work with older adults who are referred from Health Care Professionals and community partners to connect with community supports and services through referrals, applications, advocacy, and introductions. This role includes a diverse range of responsibilities – from conducting assessments and co-developing personalized care plans, to providing practical support to older adults and their families, to establishing, and maintaining relationships with people and organizations in the community offering supports to older adults. Your experience, training and interpersonal skills help you to make meaningful connections as you discern their unique needs. Through your work with local agencies and professionals, you will make a positive impact on the lives of older adults and the community.
The Seniors Community Connector will work in collaboration with health care referrers and other Seniors Community Connectors in the province to create an environment where seniors at risk of frailty will be able to access resources and support.
The goal of this position is to assist older adults to age safely in the right place by providing them with the social connections they require, and to build and maintain partnerships and connections with community-based seniors services in your area.
Education, Training and Experience:
? Bachelor’s degree in social service or related Human Services field or a combination of relevant education and experience.
? Strong knowledge of seniors’ issues and challenges related to healthy aging.
? Experience working with seniors and diverse populations from different cultures and socio- economic backgrounds.
? Knowledge of community resources, programs, and services.
? Minimum two (2) years recent related experience.
Job Skills and Abilities:
? Demonstrated ability to connect with and support seniors.
? Demonstrated skills in the areas of crisis intervention and conflict resolution.
? Strong collaborative skills and proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all internal and external contacts.
? Excellent written and oral communication skills and ability to clearly explain instruction to others.
? Ability to work independently with strong time management and organizational skills.
? Strong computer skills.
? Valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle with appropriate insurance.
? Proficiency in Arabic, Filipino or Korean preferred.
Community Development
1. Build and maintain networks within community and strengthen relationships within the community-based senior-serving sector.
2. Use an asset-based community development approach to identify and mobilize individuals and organizations providing for and supporting older adults.
3. Engage and participate in learning opportunities such as communities of practice, planning tables or networking events.
Assessment and management of referrals
4. Connect, liaise, and establish partnerships with local health care professionals to create and maintain referral pathways.
5. Maintain an active caseload of seniors with short-term needs through referrals from health care professionals and community agencies.
6. Prioritize referrals to meet individual participant’s needs.
7. Understand hospital discharge procedures to assist seniors in their transition home, following discharge.
8. Implement safety precautions when visiting seniors in the community, including their personal residences.
9. Complete intake process to assess strengths, needs, abilities, and risks using motivational interviewing techniques such as active listening, conflict resolution and observing behaviour.
10. Use various assessment tools to determine challenges, needs and risks related to healthy aging and develop routines, structures, and resource referrals to reduce risk of frailty.
11. Interpret participants’ complex physical requirements and social needs.
12. Maintain a high level of confidentiality in all matters related to clients and community partners.
Wellness Plan development
13. Support seniors to access appropriate range of activities and suitable community resources by developing individual wellness plans.
14. Use a “what matters to you” approach to refer seniors to community-based services, observe and assess the participant’s engagement with resources including (example: emotional, psychological, and functional status), and modify activities to meet the participant’s changing needs.
15. Provide information regarding appropriate community resources to socially support the participants and their families.
16. Effectively collaborate within DIVERSEcity’s Older Adult programs and external seniors-serving organizations to provide multidisciplinary care for the best interest of the senior.
17. Assist with connection to a primary care provider.
18. Engage and participate in educational training for seniors on topics such as healthy aging and other relevant topics.
Documentation of referrals
19. Document participants’ interactions, wellness plans, reports, and other administrative duties as required.
20. Provision of follow-up note to continuing community health care provider if requested.
Evaluation
21. Participate in evaluation of programs including the collection of participant data, reporting at regular intervals, and attending communities of practice.
A Criminal Record Check is a requirement of employment.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
To apply, please upload your resume and cover letter as separate attachments. As part of the application process, you will be prompted to complete a short questionnaire. Please ensure all questions are answered.
This position is not available for sponsorship, only candidates legally entitled to work in Canada can be considered.
To view all opportunities at DIVERSEcity visit www.dcrs.ca/work-with-us/.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
This position is based in our Surrey office and is a blend of remote and in-person services. DIVERSEcity has implemented new safety procedures for in-office and in-person work, to view our safety plan, please visit www.dcrs.ca/news/diversecity-covid-19-safety-plan/. Successful candidates will be provided with the training and equipment to safely carry out their duties, ensuring the best protection for our staff and clients.
A comprehensive job description will be provided to all candidates shortlisted for interviews.
DIVERSEcity is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from people of all gender identities and expressions, persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples and visible minorities. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application and hiring process may contact our HR department at (recruitment@dcrs.ca). Any personal information provided will be maintained in confidence.
About DIVERSEcity
DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society is a registered charity devoted to helping newcomers. For 40 years we have focused on providing specialized services newcomers to find employment, learn English, find housing, deal with family challenges, work through mental health issues and access medical care. DIVERSEcity is a client-centred organization committed to quality and accountability. We value growth, respect, integrity and compassion. To learn more about DIVERSEcity visit us at https://www.dcrs.ca/.
We thank all applicants for their interest in this opportunity; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.