Counsellor, Crisis Response Team

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

1d • CA$27 - CA$37 • Hybrid

About The Position

When individuals in our community experience an urgent mental health or addictions crisis, they deserve a response that is person-centred and supportive, while focusing on personal dignity and wellbeing.

Crisis Centre Staff will support individuals accessing services by providing a psychosocial response in order to promote crisis resolution and empowerment for the individual. The Crisis Centre Staff will also work collaboratively with individuals to assess and identify their needs and link them to appropriate supports in the community.

Depending on the program, supports may be provided in-person, via telephone or virtually; Crisis Services programs support individuals on a walk-in basis at the Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Centre; in the community, via mobile response; via phone, text and web chat, and through intensive, short-term stabilization supports.

Consider revitalizing your career and making a difference in your community by joining our team!

Requirements

• Degree or diploma in a mental health or addictions related field or a minimum of 3 years experience in a direct-service role and some post-secondary education in a mental health or addictions related field (primary proof of credentials will be required during the hiring process i.e. original degree/diploma or official transcript)
• Valid Driver's Licence: G class required
• Current, satisfactory Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC)
• Demonstrated ability to attend work regularly

Nice To Haves

• Access to a vehicle for personal transportation
• Training in crisis intervention and crisis resolution, including ASIST
• 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
• Minimum of 3-5 years’ experience working in mental health
• Minimum of 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
• Bilingual both official languages, preferred; une préférence sera accordée aux personnes possédant des compétences dans les deux langues officielles du Canada

Responsibilities

• Complete mental health and addiction assessments based on theory of crisis management including rapid response to identify: the impact of psychiatric symptoms on functioning, risk factors related to safety of client and others, opportunities for de-escalation and stabilization.
• Establish a therapeutic relationship to maximize the benefits of engagement with the individual.
• Provide short-term follow-up support to bridge the gap from referral to engagement with a longer-term support service as needed.
• Coordinate and facilitate referrals to internal and external services and supports.
• Advocate as necessary in order to facilitate access to services and supports with the objective of remediating immediate crisis situation.
• Engage emergency services when it is determined that additional intervention is required.
• Assess barriers to successful community living (e.g. treatment options, transportation, finances, etc.).
• Obtain information, as needed, from other relevant sources.
• Interact and provide support and assessment in a nonjudgmental fashion and provide care that demonstrates sensitivity to individual diversity (e.g. culture, race, age, sexual orientation, gender, beliefs and values).
• Support the individual in developing skills for self-advocacy to learn new behaviours and develop coping skills fostering 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, techniques to enhance overall well-being.
• Provide crisis intervention services and supports on Reach Out via phone, text and web chat.
• Respond to voicemails from Reach Out.
• Establish a therapeutic relationship with individuals accessing Reach Out, and work with individuals to address their immediate concerns.
• 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.
• Refer individuals for additional assessments as is determined to be necessary and/or appropriate.
• Assist the individual to identify and connect with personal/natural supports.
• Provide follow-up support and/or check ins to bridge the gap from referral to engagement with a longer-term support service as appropriate.
• Demonstrate knowledge of community resources and its place within the mental health and addiction care system.
• Assist in building positive working relationships across the service system including CMHA and hospital.
• Participate in public education and advocacy.
• When appropriate, act as liaison with caregivers and/or service and support providers.

Benefits

• 9% in lieu of benefits
• Immediately eligible for optional enrolment in Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)
• Premiums of $2.00 will be applied for eligible Evening/Night and Weekend Shifts

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree