CAREER SPOTLIGHT: Residential Care Worker

What is a Residential Care Worker?

A Residential Care Worker (RCW) is vital in Addictions Recovery. They are the frontline staff who provide 24/7 support to in-house clients and are the first face clients see when they enter the program. RCWs must be knowledgeable about addiction recovery, trauma-informed, and client-centered.

What does a Residential Care worker do?

Residential Care Workers, or RCWs, complete intakes, provide facility orientation and explain all the rules, procedures and schedules individually to every client. RCWs facilitate group educational sessions, assist with the self-administration of medication, and ensure the programs, rules and schedules are being implemented and followed. They are also available 24/7 to provide supportive listening and care to clients. Teamwork, self-insight, and empathy are essential skills of an RCW. RCWs assist in the kitchen, complete housekeeping tasks, and are responsible for client and staff safety, security, and first aid.

RCWs need an empathetic, non-judgemental, calm response and the ability to work in a client-centred way that makes them approachable and helps the clients feel safe and seen. RCWs are responsible for accurate documentation and clear communication.

Where can Residential Care workers work within Prairie Mountain Health?

Willard Monson House (WMH) (St. Rose, MB) 28-day Program:

The program is a co-ed 28-day program where clients come to focus on their recovery journey – whatever that may look like for each client. Our 28-day abstinence–based program is for the safety of our clients and staff. However, our programming is based on a harm reduction philosophy and works with people where they are at.

We provide a safe, non-judgmental place for people to learn about their addiction, learn new tools, and try out those tools in a safe space, so ultimately, they can make a recovery plan for when they are back in the community. During their stay, we also provide clients with their daily nutritional needs.

Parkwood In-house Program (Brandon, MB):

Parkwood offers two co-ed programming options. The first option is a 21-day program where clients come to focus on their recovery journey – whatever that may look like for each client. The second program option is Recovery Beyond 21, an additional six weeks (42 days) of intensive self-directed work. Recovery Beyond 21 builds off of the 21-day program and helps clients go deeper into emotions and self-reflection around their addiction, helping them to build their recovery capital. Both programs are abstinence-based – for our clients’ and staff’s safety. However, our programming is based on a harm reduction philosophy and working with people where they are at.

Qualifications recommended to work as a Residential Care Worker:

Grade 12 education (MB Standards)
A suitable combination of education and experience working in an in-house facility, addictions-related employment experience and/or volunteer work will be considered
Valid CPR-C with AED Training and First Aid Certificate

Training:

Once hired, the following mandatory paid training is included:

Fundamentals of Addictions Course, Medication Training, Suicide Prevention Skills, Workplace Violence Prevention, Client Centered Care Training, NVCI, Cultural Safety, Trauma Informed Care, Respectful Workplace, and Safety Training

Benefits of being an RCW:

Making a difference in the lives of our clients
The satisfaction of being part of the client’s recovery journey
A varying array of job tasks and duties (it’s not boring!)
Being part of a like-minded team
Competitive Wages and Benefits
Shift premiums for evenings, nights, and weekend shifts