Addiction and Mental Health Worker, First Contact

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

5d•CA$27 - CA$37•Onsite

About The Position

The Addiction and Mental Health Worker, First Contact will perform duties and responsibilities consistent with providing short-term support for participants attending their site. The Addiction and Mental Health Worker will ensure the safety of participants, encourage empowerment and support crisis resolution while maintaining a calm and respectful environment for all.

Requirements

Degree or diploma in a mental health or addictions related field, or a degree or diploma in an unrelated field with a minimum of three years’ employment experience in a direct-service mental health and addictions role (primary proof of credentials will be required during the hiring process i.e. original degree/diploma or official transcript)
Ability to attend work regularly
Current, satisfactory Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC)

Nice To Haves

Training in crisis intervention and crisis resolution, including ASIST
Current First Aid and CPR certification
WHMIS
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
Extensive knowledge of community resources, service & support programs, and barriers participants face in accessing same
Working knowledge of a variety of treatment, intervention, and support strategies for mental health and addictions
Bilingual both official languages, preferred; préférence sera accordée aux candidats qui sont compétents dans les deux langues officielles du Canada

Responsibilities

Respond to in-person and phone referrals for service
Work collaboratively with referral sources to ensure a smooth transition to services for clients
Contribute to a welcoming and supportive environment for participants attending the site
Complete mental health and addictions assessments and interventions based on the theory of crisis management including rapid response, risk assessment, de-escalation, stabilization, and referral to determine participant needs and level of risk
Utilize interventions consistent with a harm reduction approach for participants with substance abuse problems
Establish a therapeutic relationship to maximize the benefits of engagement between the staff person and the client
Provide short-term follow-up support to bridge the gap from referral to engagement with a longer-term support service as needed
In partnership with the client being served, coordinate and facilitate linkages to appropriate services and supports in the community
Advocate as necessary in order to facilitate access to services and supports with the objective of remediating the immediate crisis situation
Provide information regarding resources found within both the broader mental health system and the community in general
Engage Emergency Services when it is determined that additional intervention is required
When appropriate, act as a liaison with caregivers and/or support providers who are involved with the participant to facilitate a coordinated approach to service provision
Provide referrals to other services within the organization such as the CAT team and Transitional Case Management Team, as necessary
Provide health teaching and information regarding a variety of coping techniques and strategies, e.g. grounding, breathing techniques, self-care, nutrition, sleep hygiene, techniques to enhance overall well-being, the completion of crisis plans
Provide client follow-up as determined to be necessary and/or appropriate
Provide short-term, psychotherapeutic intervention to assist individuals in gaining insight and improving coping skills within the framework of the crisis model.
Perform in a calm, competent and efficient manner in an emergency situation acknowledging the individual’s need for privacy and dignity.
Utilize harm reduction principles to identify, reduce and remove risk factors related to substance use
Refer individuals for additional assessments as is determined to be necessary and/or appropriate
Assist individuals in identifying and connecting with personal, natural, and professional support to promote overall well-being
Provide follow-up support and/or check ins to bridge the gap from referral to engagement with a longer-term support service as appropriate
Facilitate debriefing sessions for individuals and groups
Serve as initial contact in greeting and directing clients, staff and guests with a primary focus on providing a welcoming environment to all site visitors
Ensuring that all enquires are addressed in a timely manner
Work collaboratively with co-workers to ensure the effective flow of relevant information between co-workers as well as to clients and site visitors (including messages, service information, organizational and site-specific information)
Ensure that reception areas are maintained in a manner that is tidy and inviting, and that public bulletin boards and brochure supply areas are kept current and accessible
Operate telephone system – answer, screen and forward telephone calls, record and relay information
Ensure sign in book is updated to assist in tracking of all persons in the building as per Health and Safety requirements
Retrieve and bring the sign in book when an evacuation of the building has occurred in order for a roll call to be completed, where applicable
Retrieve, sort, date stamp correspondence, and distribute accordingly, where applicable
Coordinate and distribute all incoming e-mails to the general e-mail account, all incoming faxes, and all incoming postal mail, where applicable
Actively engage in learning opportunities, events, meetings, and team building activities scheduled by the organization for staff members
Act as a resource to other staff and community partners; seek out and listen to input from other staff and community partners
Provide support and encouragement to other staff as needed (e.g. assistance with challenging participants/clients, coverage for vacation, sick time, share responsibility for work loads)
Be supportive of, and an active participant in, the constant evolution and growth of the organization
Work collaboratively with other staff teams to provide a seamless, person-centered approach
Participate as an active member of a multi-disciplinary team
Attend and actively participate in staff and group meetings
Coordinate work, as needed, with co-workers
Act as a resource to other staff
Seek out and listen to input from other staff
Share responsibility for work loads
Contribute to a positive team environment
Other duties as required