Reporting to the Public Health Manager, the Parent Support Worker works with families to build on their strengths, develop their parenting skills, encourage healthy infant and child development and link with resources in the community. The Parent Support Worker works as a team member, and is mentored and supported by regulated health professionals, to assist high risk families to become independent by providing a positive environment for their children.
Role Overview:
- Actively listen to understand others without judgement or bias, and attend to verbal, emotional and contextual cues
- Identify relevant, credible and appropriate sources of information including community assets and resources
- Recognize that a health or other concern exists and work with families to promote activities that will encourage positive parenting
- Understand and recognize the impact of findings from an ethical, political, scientific, socio-cultural, and economic perspective on communities
- Identify services and programs, in collaboration with Public Health Nurse, available for clients of diverse backgrounds; including gender, geographic, economic, education, sexual orientation, and physical ability
- Offer support and provide basic information to the parent regarding infant stimulation, child development, safety, proper child and family nutrition, family planning and general health
- Understand and articulate the mission and priorities of the Health Unit and the Healthy Babies/Healthy Children program
Qualifications:
Education — Training - Experience
- Secondary School Diploma, or equivalent, required
- Post-secondary educations in a related field (Early Childhood Education, Child and Youth Worker, Infant Mental Health, Perinatal Support Worker), preferred
- Minimum of 2 years working with parents and children
- Previous experience in a helping role through work, volunteer or training program
- Personal experience parenting a child considered an asset
Specific Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- Experience working directly with a ministry computerized database
- Knowledge of Ontario Public Health Standards, and apply these standards to practice
- Knowledge of community supports, and resources available, to assist pregnant women and families with young children
- Awareness of health promotion and population health principles
- Familiar with community resources and services for families with young children
- Knowledge of child development, family dynamics and the stresses of parenting
- Communicate in writing and verbally in a clear and professional manner while adapting the message to the audience as appropriate
- Establish and maintain relationships and is open to different perspectives
- Ability to maintain confidentiality
- Able to work with families from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds in a non-judgmental and accepting manner
- Understanding of and willingness to promote empowerment
- Awareness of and willingness to promote non-violent values and practices related to discipline
- Able to deal with changing client demands in a calm, professional and independent manner
- Demonstrate ability to solve a problem by drawing on own knowledge and experience and/or calling on other resources
- Committed to a safe and healthy work environment for both employees and clients
- Specific knowledge of Health Unit communication systems and appropriate computer software, including data inputting
- Committed to a safe and healthy work environment for both employees and clients
- Proven ability to work independently with competency and accuracy and as a member of an interdisciplinary team
Other:
- Ability to work flexible work week required, including evenings and weekends
- Business travel is required within and outside of the Grey Bruce region
- A valid Ontario driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle is required
Please submit a resume, cover letter, and application form quoting Competition 2024-16. Please note this position will remain posted until filled.
Grey Bruce Public Health is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes. If contacted for an employment opportunity, please advise Human Resources if you require accommodation.
In accordance with Municipal Freedom of Information and Privacy legislation, applicant information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act and will be used strictly for candidate selection. We thank you in advance for your interest in the above-noted position. However, please note that only those applicants receiving an interview will be advised of the recruitment outcome.