Hours of Work:  40 hours per week

*This Position is a 12 month Term covering a Maternity Leave*

Start date: July 01 2022

The Personal Support Worker wage starts at $24.00 and has a top end of $27.00 per hour plus benefits as per the Yellowknife Women’s Society Policy and Procedure Manual.

The Personal Support Worker must be flexible to work as needed as defined within the program needs and labor laws.

Purpose of the Position

The Personal Support Worker (PSW), under the direction of the Executive Director of the Yellowknife Women’s Centre, provide personal support services to residents of the Emergency Shelter, and tenants of the Single room Occupancy program, according to the needs outlined in their individual case plan.

The Personal Support Worker is responsible for:

1. Helping women to maintain their hygiene by assisting in bathing, grooming, toileting and dressing/undressing.
2. Using creativity and interpersonal skills to build relationships with women who are reluctant to maintain their personal hygiene.
3. Understanding and implementing infection prevention practices, including assisting with cleaning when needed.
4. Monitoring changes in physical and mental health, and health-related behavior’s, and support women to seek health care services, including emergency services, if required.
5. Accompanying women with mental health, substance use or cognitive issues when seeking emergency care, and liaise with hospital staff when women are discharged to the shelter from hospital, to support access to care and ensure continuity of care between the shelter and medical services.
6. Maintaining client records and documentation, including inter-agency confidentiality agreements, as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• A Certificate form a recognized Personal Support Worker program, plus three years’ experience in this role. A comparable combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Experience providing case management support and other supports to women and homeless people form diverse backgrounds that struggle with a myriad of challenges.
• Broad knowledge of social and economic issues facing Northern Women, and in particular, First Nations, Inuit, and Inuvialuit women.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to work cooperatively and professionally as part of a team and with other agencies and community partners.
• Excellent organization skills, including the ability to keep clear and organized records of services provided and respectful descriptions of personal wellbeing.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Good computer skills.
• Updated immunization and criminal record check.
• Current CPR and First Aid certification.
• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Certification.
• Class 5 Drivers License.

Personal Attributes

• Maintain strict confidentiality in performing the responsibilities of this position.
• Be self-motivated and have the ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrate the ability to accept responsibility, be open-minded and honest.
• Demonstrate culture sensitivity.
• Be supportive, compassionate and understanding.
• Have excellent communication skills.
• Be able to work in a high stress work environment.

Working Conditions

The incumbent will work in high stressed environment and will have regular interactions with individuals who may be under the influence of substances and/or experiencing various struggles in their life. The incumbent will work with minimal supervision and often provide crisis management support.

The Yellowknife Women’s Society is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Please visit our website www.ykws.ca for a complete breakdown of what the Yellowknife Women's Society can offer you.