Primary Counsellor

Position Description
Working within the philosophy of TAMIR, the Primary Counsellor is responsible for assisting participants to achieve their personal goals, maintain their best possible health and well-being, and develop skills and a sense of self worth through an individualized support plan created to meet the participant’s unique interests and needs.

Under the general supervision of the Program Supervisor, Tamir Primary Counsellors have responsibility for the day to day care of individuals, supported by Tamir, whether in their homes or in the community. All work is conducted in a manner consistent with Tamir’s vision, mission and values statements, following the principles of the Quality Enhancement (QE) initiative at Tamir. These principles include demonstrating the utmost respect for our participants, ensuring their safety, well-being and daily care, providing meaningful choices and activities and assisting participants to achieve their personal goals, as defined through our individualized, personal outcome planning process.

Salary: From $29.99 per hour

The following duties are performed to varying degrees based on the individual participant abilities and needs:

Participant Support and Advocacy

• Develop a respectful, positive and consistent relationship with participants
• Learn the personal history, strengths and needs of the primary participants, as well as their preferences and apply this knowledge in the development of their individual support plans
• Promote and assist with maintaining the mental and physical health and well being of participants while ensuring a safe and healthy environment
• Accompany residents to medical and other appointments and act as advocate, as required
• Dispense medications and other treatments, as required, and according to Tamir procedures
• Provide assistance with personal care including nutrition, hygiene, grooming, maintaining clothing, personal possessions, etc. as required
• Become familiar with, and facilitate participation in, Jewish cultural and religious practices, and support individuals to participate in other cultural and religious activities of their choice
• Support individuals to exercise choice and assume responsibility in making decisions in their lives, at the same time balancing the need for safety and security
• Provide comprehensive and responsive case management for primary participants
• Develop, implement and evaluate programming, goals, quarterly reports and POP’s for, and with the involvement of, primary participant
• Develop and implement Personal Outcome Plans (POP’s) in partnership with participants, staff, families and others of importance
• Assist participants to become involved in recreational/educational/employment or other interests as identified in their POP
• Facilitate the development of active, involved support networks for participants
• Develop and maintain communication with family, friends, external program staff, supervisor, and others of importance to the participants as required
• Advocate with community groups, employers and others in the community to promote the participation of people with developmental disabilities
• Identify and advocate for change in supports which may impede the realization of participant goals
• Assist participants in managing personal finances, as required
• Coordinate, monitor and inform the Program Supervisor of status of program and goals for primary participants
• Actively advocate to the supervisor and team to ensure the best care possible for primary participant

Administration

• Be familiar with and adhere to Tamir policies and procedures, as well as Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services operational guidelines and relevant legislation
• Operate under the guidelines of Tamir health and safety policies and procedures and follow safe practices
• Maintain complete information for each primary participant and respect confidentiality
• Maintain appropriate documentation for all areas of responsibility, according to established Tamir policies and procedures, for example daily log, accident/incident reports, petty cash, and serious occurrence forms
• Report all unsafe conditions, damages, hazards, accidents or incidents to Program Supervisor
• Perform other administrative tasks as assigned by the Program Supervisor.
• Assist with orientation and training of program staff and volunteers
• Maintain all mandatory training requirements in a timely fashion, as well as keep security and medical checks current
• Participate on staff committees as assigned

Professional Conduct

• Promote and demonstrate respect and value for the Jewish culture and religion, and the vision and mission statements of the agency, within the workplace and in the community
• Demonstrate positive, respectful and professional relationships within the team, including staff, families, volunteers and the community
• Attend and actively participate in team meetings, eliciting and representing the needs of the participants supported within the program
• Contribute to a positive work environment, by utilizing effective communication skills, conducting job functions with initiative, enthusiasm and sound judgement, and contributing to the team in an organized and productive manner.
• Be punctual and dependable in the completion of assigned duties
• Pursue professional development opportunities, as recommended by the supervisor, or if staff recognizes a gap in their skill set that is preventing them from providing the best possible care to their participants

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected. It is not an inclusive listing of all activities, but is designed to be used in combination with program responsibilities and shift routines. Staff may be asked to perform other duties as required. To ensure that Tamir is able to remain responsive to participant or program needs, job specifications may be changed or altered as required.

Working Conditions

Staff may be required to perform any or all of the following duties in the course of their work:

• Working with people requiring support to manage emotional, psychological and physical behavioural challenges
• A risk of exposure to communicable/contagious diseases
• Completion of general household duties that may require lifting, bending, pushing, pulling, or twisting
• Lifting, move or transferring people who require mobility assistance
• Attending to personal needs
• May be required to work alone
• Must be able to operate a vehicle

Qualifications

• DSW and 2 year of experience working with persons with developmental disabilities is preferred OR Degree/Diploma in Social Sciences, health administration or related field, with 3+ years of experience working with persons with developmental disabilities is preferred OR High school education with 4 years of relevant experience working with persons with developmental disabilities, including strong case management, is preferred Certifications
• Valid G class driver’s license, with good driving record preferred
• Current active CPR and First Aid Training
• Basic word processing skills (MS Word preferred) Other
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Good interpersonal skills