Team Leader - Residential Program (Permanent Part-Time)

We have one (1) permanent part-time position located in Central Calgary.

Hours of work will be a total of 15 hours per week.

This posting closes on March 5 , 2024.

Program Summary

The Calgary Alternative Residential Services (CARS) program assists individuals with developmental disabilities to become more independent through skill acquisition, empowerment, and full inclusion in society, thus improving their quality of life. The CARS program focuses on ‘person-centered planning’ – people supporting people – based on the individual’s needs.  Through a self-directed process, the individual will be assisted in identifying areas of support that are important to them and will contribute towards their personal goals.

Job Summary

The Residential Team Leader role supports the day-to-day operations of several overnight staffed residences at Calgary Alternative Support Services Inc. (CASS). This role supports staff and clients to build a strong sense of empowerment, make positive decisions and help establish themselves as a part of their community and provide development and stability in the client’s daily activities.  

This role is responsible for establishing professional boundaries with the frontline support staff and the client, providing guidance to the client regarding emotional support, daily living skills, and community resources. This role further provides supervision to the frontline support staff in their duties while also addressing the needs of the work environment and living environment.

Key Responsibilities to:

Client

• Establish respectful and professional boundaries while developing positive working relationships with clients;
• Establish and maintain a positive professional working relationship with client guardians and client supports where applicable.
• Availability to clients in emergencies.
• To help develop Individual Support Plans (ISP) that are individualized and based on specific client needs, desires, and goals;
• Work with the Community Support Coordinator (CSC) to hire the appropriate supports to implement the goals established in that plan
• To assist clients in the development and monitoring of goals and objectives indicated in their ISP;
• To support individuals in specifically identified areas to live independently or increase independence in the community; this may include daily living skills, community inclusion, recreation & leisure activities, and management of health-related matters as directed by the CSC;  
• Help recruit and screen individuals with the training and personal attributes to meet the identified needs of a given client.
• Ensure client preferences are reached to the fullest extent possible
• Meeting client preferences to the fullest extent possible
• Support relationships between clients, their support network, and other community members
• Liaise with guardians and family members, as required.
• Meet with clients regularly to establish rapport and monitor any changes in support needs.
• Input case notes into CASS database; PEAK
• Research community resources that can help support the client’s current desires and needs
• Maintaining up-to-date, accurate, thorough, and complete financial reporting of any client finances and purchases made on behalf of, or for, the client
• Address client medical needs (physical and psychological) through appropriate and timely medical care, arranging and documenting appointments, and assisting clients with implementing and following through on medical recommendations and follow up 

Agency/Residential Program (CARS)

• Understand and adhere to CASS Policies & Procedures and program-specific expectations as defined in Program Operations Manual; providing direction and clarification around specific policies and expectations to frontline support staff where needed
• Responsible for checking email communications daily; available and responsive to phone calls/text messages as needed
• Complete client and agency-specific paperwork in a timely fashion.
• Actively participate in the CASS health and safety program, and adhere to health and safety policies per CASS Policy & Procedures and Alberta OH&S legislation, providing direction and clarification to frontline support staff where needed
• Maintain valid certification in all core training/employment requirements and any additional training as assigned based on client support needs or supervisory needs
• Liaise with other CASS programs, external agencies, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Participate in ensuring program outcomes are being met;
• Meet the standards laid out by accreditation bodies (Ex. Creating Excellence Together – CET)
• Generate annual reviews for clients, including consent forms and ISP documents, and submit to Community Support Coordinator (CSC) for review and submission to PDD
• Assist CSC with recruitment and supervision of staff.
• Monitoring and performance evaluation of staff in collaboration with CSC
• Information management and case notes in client database (PEAK).
• Providing regular updates to CSC

Support Staff

• Be available and responsive to staff, particularly in moments of crisis or emergency
• Assist and support frontline team with securing relief for any absences
• Be open to locate and provide relief in case of staff absence or emergency
• Assisting with direct supervision (in collaboration with CSC) of all support staff in the overnight staffed homes
• Develop and maintain individual support documents (Ex. support schedule, desired activities, support dictionary)
• Collect data to prepare and review monthly summaries with client goals
• Regular and consistent in-person contact with support staff
• Provide information and resources to support staff to better support client goal achievement.
• Ensure positive support relationships and ongoing assessment of appropriate supports.
• Inform and receive feedback in regards to client crisis and difficult situations.
• Ensure staff are completing their duties to the household in a fair and equitable manner
• Assist in mediation with frontline staff members, if required
• Provide ongoing and consistent feedback and support to staff
• Conduct annual performance evaluations for all staff in collaboration with CSC
• Encourage staff engagement and professional development opportunities
• Support staff in completing their training and submitting required documentation  Ensure staff are trained on and are appropriately implementing behavior plans in accordance with approved positive and restrictive practices
• Create and maintain positive team building/team environment in order to develop team strengths and identify staff recognition strategies
• Coordinate and facilitate regular team meetings

Culture

• Model and demonstrate CASS values in all interactions with clients, staff, and community members
• Demonstrate respect and collaboration with all internal and external stakeholders of the CASS organization
• Demonstrate an ability and willingness to give and receive honest, balanced feedback
• Conduct duties in a fair, ethical, transparent manner with honesty and integrity in accordance and familiarity with CASS policies and procedures, Code of Ethics for Rehabilitation Professionals, and other applicable professional bodies. 

Duties and Responsibilities will include but not be limited to:

• Supervision and Staffing
• Documentation
• Client medical needs
• Physical environment
• Individual Support
• Household finances

 
Education and Experiences

• Disability Studies Diploma or related education
• Previous experience providing community/residential support to adults with developmental disabilities.
• Valid driver's License and reliable vehicle
• Maintains and utilizes current Emergency or Standard First Aid that includes CPR/AED.
• A current police information check with a vulnerable sectors search that is satisfactory to CASS.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures such as word processing, outlook, excel, managing files and records.
• Demonstrates organizational, time management, managerial, and leadership skills.
• Ability to be flexible.
• Knowledge and previous experience in mental health disorders, neurological disorders, diversity advocacy and similar areas will be considered an asset.

Referral Program: If you have been referred by an existing CASS staff member, please indicate who referred you in your cover letter so that they can be rewarded through our referral program!

We thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

No phone calls, please.