Addiction and Mental Health Worker, Crisis Stabilization Space (Nights)

CMHA Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services•London, ON

9d•CA$27 - CA$37•Hybrid

About The Position

This role supports individuals experiencing urgent mental health or addiction crises with a person-centered, supportive approach that prioritizes dignity and well-being. Crisis Centre Staff provide psychosocial responses to promote crisis resolution and empowerment, collaborating with individuals to assess needs and connect them to community supports. Services can be delivered in-person, via telephone, or virtually. Crisis Services programs offer walk-in support at the Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Centre, mobile response in the community, and support via phone, text, and web chat, along with intensive, short-term stabilization. This is a full-time, permanent, benefitted position working nights, including weekends, with a starting rate of $27.14 per hour (Level 1 – Direct Service), with a wage differential for regulated professionals ($30.01 per hour for regulated Level 1). Grid progression is available based on seniority. Successful candidates will be enrolled in extended healthcare benefits after a 90-day waiting period and immediately enrolled in the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP).

Requirements

College Diploma or University Degree in a mental health or addictions related field OR a minimum of 3 years of experience in a direct-service role and some post-secondary education in a mental health or addictions related field.
Ability to attend work regularly.
Current, satisfactory Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) completed in the last six months.
Successful candidates must have a Police Vulnerable Sector Check completed in the last six months.

Nice To Haves

Training in crisis intervention and crisis resolution, including ASIST.
Extensive knowledge of community resources, service and support programs, and barriers individuals face in accessing them.
Working knowledge of a variety of treatment, intervention, and support strategies for mental health and addictions.
Computer literacy.
3 years’ experience working in mental health.
2 years’ experience in mental health crisis intervention.
Experience with, and detailed knowledge of, mild, moderate & serious mental illnesses, usually gained by several years of working with this population.
Experience working in a community-based setting; preferably with an established network of service & support resources.
Proficiency in the areas of crisis intervention, crisis resolution, and community support.
Written and verbal communication skills.
First Aid & CPR, WHMIS.
Bilingual (both official languages) preferred.

Responsibilities

Complete mental health and addiction assessments based on crisis management theory, including rapid response to identify the impact of psychiatric symptoms on functioning, risk factors related to safety, and opportunities for de-escalation and stabilization.
Establish a therapeutic relationship to maximize engagement benefits.
Provide short-term follow-up support to bridge the gap from referral to longer-term services.
Coordinate and facilitate referrals to internal and external services and supports.
Advocate as necessary to facilitate access to services and supports for immediate crisis remediation.
Engage emergency services when additional intervention is required.
Assess barriers to successful community living (e.g., treatment options, transportation, finances).
Obtain information from other relevant sources as needed.
Interact and provide support and assessment in a nonjudgmental manner, demonstrating sensitivity to individual diversity (e.g., culture, race, age, sexual orientation, gender, beliefs, and values).
Support individuals in developing self-advocacy skills, learning new behaviors, and developing coping skills for healthy interdependence through limit setting.
Provide health teaching and information regarding coping techniques and strategies (e.g., grounding, breathing techniques, self-care, nutrition, sleep hygiene).
Provide support to individuals through the 24/7 Reach Out Addiction and Mental Health Crisis Line via phone, text, and web chat.
Respond to voicemails from Reach Out.
Establish a therapeutic relationship with individuals accessing Reach Out and work to address their immediate concerns.
Provide short-term, psychotherapeutic intervention to assist individuals in gaining insight and improving coping skills within the crisis model framework.
Perform in a calm, competent, and efficient manner in emergency situations, acknowledging the individual’s need for privacy and dignity.
Utilize harm reduction principles to identify, reduce, and remove risk factors.
Refer individuals for additional assessments as necessary or appropriate.
Assist individuals in identifying and connecting with personal/natural supports.
Provide follow-up support and/or check-ins to bridge the gap from referral to engagement with longer-term support services.
Demonstrate knowledge of community resources and their place within the mental health and addiction care system.
Assist in building positive working relationships across the service system, including CMHA and hospitals.
Participate in public education and advocacy.
Act as a liaison with caregivers and/or service and support providers involved with the individual to facilitate a coordinated approach to service provision.