Community Mental Health Worker

Winnipeg Regional Health Authority•Brandon, FL

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Community Mental Health Worker (CMHW) provides mental health services to residents of Prairie Mountain Health and may work in community and facility settings. As part of an interdisciplinary team, the CMHW delivers a broad range of services to clients and families and serves as the primary counsellor and/or case manager for newly referred clients and people with long-term service needs. The role works in partnership with health care providers, clients’ families, and community stakeholders to support personal recovery where people live, learn, work, and socialize. The CMHW uses trauma-informed psychiatric care, other adopted mental health therapies, crisis management, and suicide intervention skills. Through therapeutic approaches that build on clients’ strengths, the worker supports independence, self-responsibility, wellness, community integration, and social justice. For clients with enduring mental illness, the role may include case management focused on functional assessment, skill development, relapse prevention, and rehabilitation. The position requires autonomous professional practice, effective problem-solving and organizational abilities, and working knowledge of the Mental Health Act and other legislation protecting clients and the public. This is a 0.50 FTE position with an anticipated term from November 6, 2026, to March 31, 2027. The anticipated shifts are days and nights, with 12-hour daily shifts. The position is based in Brandon with Prairie Mountain Health’s Westman Crisis Services and may require service in community and facility settings. The role requires a current driver’s licence and access to a personal vehicle for service within Prairie Mountain Health. Employment is subject to criminal record, adult abuse registry, and child abuse registry checks; the successful candidate is responsible for any service charges.

Requirements

Baccalaureate degree in Psychiatric Nursing or Social Work; other combinations of related professional education and experience may be considered.
Current registration or licensure in good standing with the applicable college.
Current certification in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention.
Current certification in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST).
Two years of full-time-equivalent professional experience in an approved mental health care setting within the past five years; other combinations of related experience may be considered.
Manitoba Class 5 driver’s licence, or equivalent from the province of residence, and access to a personal vehicle for service within Prairie Mountain Health.
Knowledge of current mental health trends, leading practices, the Mental Health Act, and related legislation.
Commitment to recovery-oriented practice and Co-occurring Disorder (COD) principles.
Expertise in emergency and crisis situations.
Knowledge and aptitude for working with the specified client population and setting, including evidence-informed interventions.
Ability to maintain positive working relationships with clients, coworkers, interdisciplinary teams, community agencies, and stakeholders.
Evidence of ongoing professional development to maintain skills and knowledge.
Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint, internet applications, and other information technology.
Demonstrated leadership.
Demonstrated written and oral communication skills.
Ability to prioritize in a changing environment.
Strong organizational, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to exercise independent judgment.
Ability to respect and promote a culturally diverse population and confidentiality.
Ability to perform the duties of the position on a regular basis.
Depending on departmental staffing and service requirements at the time of vacancy, preference may be given to a specific gender or academic designation in accordance with the definitions for a CMHW.

Responsibilities

Build trusting therapeutic relationships with clients and families and develop case formulations, intervention plans, and services.
Collect and review clinical and psychosocial information, gather collateral information, and conduct initial screening and assessment.
Assess client strengths, skills, capacities, resource needs, and readiness in relation to personal goals and recovery plans.
Help clients establish service requirements and care plans.
Evaluate risks of self-harm, violence, and deterioration in mental status, and intervene in crisis situations.
Provide evidence-based mental health counselling to clients and families, and perform intake duties as assigned.
Work with clients to identify service conditions needed to meet fundamental human needs and connect them with resources, agencies, and service providers, advocating when required.
Respect and value cultural healing practices in collaboration with clients, families, and cultural practitioners.
Coordinate with health providers and allied social service staff on case management related to mental health issues.
Conduct mental status examinations, comprehensive psychosocial assessments, Co-Occurring Disorder screenings, Suicide Assessments, and other age-related assessments as required.
Provide assessment information, diagnostic impressions, and treatment recommendations to other health service providers in accordance with PHIA and FIPPA requirements.
Support clients in attaining and maintaining optimal mental and physical health, and involve family in care planning as chosen by the client while respecting privacy legislation.
Provide emotional support and education to family members within privacy legislation requirements.
Ensure clients and communities receive appropriate and effective services, including crisis planning and safety interventions.
Coordinate with family, agencies, organizations, and hospital and community partners to support coordinated, recovery-oriented services and follow-up.
Provide follow-up services and monitor mental health status as required.
Provide individual, group, and public education on mental health problems, mental illness, mental wellness, and resiliency.
Coordinate comprehensive care-planning meetings with clients and, as appropriate, families, disciplines, agencies, and programs.
Document assessments, interventions, results, and recommendations in approved formats and in accordance with professional and regional standards.
Advocate for service improvements, including mobilizing existing services or creating new services.
Coordinate admissions, discharge planning, closures, and transfers with Prairie Mountain Health mental health services, other regions, community agencies, and informal supports.
Practice in accordance with legislation relevant to community health, including the Mental Health Act, Public Guardian and Trustee legislation, Vulnerable Persons Act, Child Welfare Act, and Personal Health Information Act.
Provide collaborative case management for clients with Criminal Review Board orders, delegated Public Trustee authority, or a Service Purchase Agreement.
Use group-dynamics knowledge and facilitation skills to support group development and delivery.
Supervise or orient Mental Health Proctors, Activity Instructors, and Community Support Workers, in collaboration with the Proctor Supervisor and Managers, as applicable.
Orient, supervise, and evaluate new staff, students, and physicians or medical residents as appropriate.
Perform other duties as assigned.