Recovery Wellness Worker

Full job description

Closing Date: May 30,2025

Location: Kwakiutl Health Centre

Wage: $35-$45

JOB SUMMARY

The Recovery and Wellness Worker (RWW) supports community members struggling with

wellness by providing one-on-one support, advocacy, education, and referrals for community

members around substance misuse and wellness. The RWW supports community members who

are seeking detox, treatment, trauma-healing programming, counselling, cultural supports, land-

based healing and other wellness supports. The RWW establishes good working relationships with

wrap-around services including local counsellors, social workers, and detox/treatment

providers/supports such as FNHA and Island Health.

The RWW also works to organize group programming and activities for community members. While

building community relationships, the RWW promotes a culturally safe, healthy and supportive

environment that instills a sense of dignity and respect for community members. The RWW will

provide advocacy, education, referrals and programs and activities to individuals, groups and

families, and will demonstrate professional maturity to maintain the highest level of ethical health

care for community members.

The RRW must demonstrate clear professional boundaries and appropriate accountability

measures, file-management with charts/records, and time management. They must role model

and demonstrate healthy lifestyle behaviors as well.

DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

Develops and delivers mental health and recovery programs and activities based on

community-vision goals of the Kwakiutl Health Plan

Provides one-on-one support for community members struggling with a range of

wellness concerns, including substance misuse and trauma

Provides Kwakiutl culturally appropriate programs/services

Develops sobriety programming and peer support groups in community

Refers clients to psychiatric and treatment services and other social service providers

Encourages the coordination of existing health and social services within the region to

help establish continuity of care for the Kwakiutl membership and families

experiencing mental illness or substance misuse issues

Understanding and experience with harm-reduction principles and practices

Provides liaison services between Health Centre and KBC programs and external

health and social services agencies, and encourages networking between agencies

and programs

Writes and completes reporting of grants for programs to support wellness, recovery,

and harm-reduction efforts

Employs a teamwork approach in working with the community to address mental

health and substance misuse issues in a culturally safe manner

Supervises or co-supervises Ha’miksil’as sa Anise (Auntie’s Kitchen) Harm-Reduction

team

Maintains confidentiality in all dealings with clients

Organizes activities to encourage awareness of substance misuse and their effects to

all age groups

Provides Kwakiutl culturally appropriate social and recreation programs as healthy

alternatives to substance misuse and to improve overall mental health

Provides follow-up support and other aftercare services as needed

Plans and delivers education about the root causes of substance misuse and harm-

reduction to community

Submits written monthly activity reports to the Health Director and other reports as

required

Performs other duties as required to assist in implementation of the health work plan

or to provide backfill coverage when directed

Adheres to all Kwakiutl Band Council policies, Personnel Policy, procedures and

protocols

REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor’s Degree in social work, psychology or other health-related discipline from

an approved post-secondary institution

Recognized post basic education and a solid understanding of related to mental

illness and addictions

Two (2) years recent, related experience

Knowledge of applicable legislation, such as the Mental Health Act and Guardianship

Act

Knowledge of available programs, their interrelationships, and their functions in

delivering care in the community to persons with mental illnesses, addictions and/or

concurrent disorders

Working knowledge of chemical dependency, understanding of social vs. medical

withdrawal supports

Understanding of colonization’s role in substance misuse

Knowledge of and experience with crisis response and suicide

assessment/prevention/intervention/post-vention or an equivalent combination of

education, training and experience

Cultural competence, cultural safety, cultural humility and experience working with

First Nations are essential

Must have a valid BC Driver’s License

Must submit a vulnerable criminal record check

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Deal with others effectively

Demonstrate sound organizational, problem-solving skills

Demonstrate clinical coaching/teaching skills and experience

Demonstrate sound judgment, good observation and client assessment skills, tact and

empathy

Work independently, demonstrating initiative, with limited supervision

Work cooperatively as part of a multi-disciplinary team

Promote positive change and independence

Prioritize, organize client demands and care needs

Foster good public relations and act diplomatically on behalf of the Health Centre

Operate related equipment, including a thorough knowledge of Microsoft Office (i.e.

Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel)

Keep highly organized, up-to-date, and relevant electronic records and client files

Maintain a commitment to continued professional development

WORKING CONDITIONS

It is paramount that all positions within the health team strive to communicate and serve the

Kwakiutl people in a manner that respects, enhances and promotes the cultural identity and well-

being of both the individual and the health care providers. This position will strive for cultural safety

by:

Gaining cultural awareness and cultural sensitivity

Understanding and complying with any Kwakiutl policies or position statements on

“cultural safety” (and ensuring it is reflected in individual training / professional

development plans)

Ensuring that plans, policies and activities undertaken promote the holistic health

and well-being of the Kwakiutl in a way that incorporates and promotes the cultural

aspects of the Kwakiutl people and traditions

Assisting in the articulation and establishment of cultural influence expectations in the

Kwakiutl Health Centre planning and day-to-day operations

Must successfully and periodically undergo (every year or as needed) an appropriate

vulnerable criminal records review and police record check.

Proof of certifications are required prior to employment

Required to work in a variety of different environments

Must be respected within the community

Must have demonstrated ability to work well with others

Must have a demonstrated ability to maintain confidential information

May be required to periodically work outside of normal working hours, and to function

independently

Smoke and scent free environment

Harassment and violence free environment

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply, submit a Cover Letter and Resume to Caitlin Hartnett, Kwakiutl Health Director

at hd@kwakiutl.bc.ca. If you have questions about the position, please contact Caitlin via email or

at 250-230-4532.