Counsellor, Crisis Assessment Team

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

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Crisis Assessment Team program provides 24/7 mental health and addictions support in the community, offering an alternative to emergency hospital services for individuals experiencing a crisis. As a member of this team, you will work with individuals to assess and mitigate their immediate crisis, and collaborate on strategies and resources to enhance their physical and mental health, aiming to prevent future crises.

Requirements

Post-secondary education in a relevant field of study, e.g. social work, psychology, or a related discipline (primary proof of credentials will be required during the hiring process i.e. original degree/diploma or official transcript)
Current, satisfactory Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC)
Demonstrated ability to attend work regularly

Nice To Haves

Current Ontario driver’s license
Registration with a professional college (i.e. OCSWSSW, CNO, CRPO, CPSO, COTO, CPO)
Current First Aid/CPR Certificate
Bilingual both official languages, preferred; une préférence sera accordée aux personnes possédant des compétences dans les deux langues officielles du Canada

Responsibilities

Complete bio-psychosocial mental health and addiction assessments based on theory of crisis management including rapid response, risk assessment, de-escalation, stabilization, and referral to determine client needs and level of risk.
Establish a therapeutic relationship to maximize the benefits of engagement with the client.
Assess the adequacy of resources/supports currently available to the client and make referrals to applicable community resources as appropriate.
Identify risk factors related to relapse as well as the safety of staff and clients.
Assess barriers to successful community living (e.g., treatment options, transportation, finances, etc.).
Provide short-term, psychotherapeutic intervention to assist clients 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 client’s need for privacy and dignity.
Utilize harm reduction principles to identify, reduce and remove risk factors.
Advocate as necessary in order to facilitate access to services and supports with the objective of remediating immediate crisis situation.
Refer clients for additional assessments as is determined to be necessary and/or appropriate.
Assist the client to identify and connect with personal/natural supports.
Provide short-term follow-up support to bridge the gap from referral to engagement with a longer-term support service.
Have knowledge about community resources relevant to clients, including other addiction and mental health services, entitlement and benefit programs (e.g., ODSP, Ontario Works, London Housing, etc.).
Assist the client to obtain needed resources by educating and supporting the individual to access resources, linking the individual to appropriate services, advocating with or for the client when needed.
Assist in building positive working relationships across the service system including CMHA and hospital.
Provide assistance to clients seeking support, face-to-face appointments and/or information about addiction and mental health services and supports.
Assist clients in developing strategies for managing their health needs according to resources and personal skills available.
Collaborate with the client and the team to provide a holistic approach and assist in developing goals and the “plan of care”.
Interact and provide support in a nonjudgmental fashion and provide care that demonstrates sensitivity to individual diversity (e.g., culture, race, age, sexual orientation, gender, beliefs and values).