Counsellor (Float), Crisis Centre

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

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Crisis Center Staff will support individuals accessing services by providing a psychosocial response in order to promote crisis resolution and empowerment for the individual. The Crisis Center 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. Successful candidates must have a Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) completed within the last six months. In order to avoid delays in beginning a position, interested applicants who are in need of a PVSC are encouraged to apply for one as soon as possible. Consider revitalizing your career and making a difference in your community by joining our team!

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)
Valid G class driver's licence
Current, clear Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC)
Ability to attend work regularly

Nice To Haves

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
Training in crisis intervention and crisis resolution, including ASIST
First-Aid, CPR & WHMIS
Bilingual both official languages, preferred; préférence sera accordée aux candidats qui sont compétents 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.
All Crisis Services staff are to provide support to individuals through 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 concern
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 individuals need for privacy and dignity
Utilize harm reduction principles to identify, reduce and remove risk factor
Refer individuals for additional assessments as is determined to be necessary and/or appropriate
Assist the individual to identify and connect with personal/natural support
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 who are involved with the individual to facilitate a coordinated approach to service provision
The Crisis Centre Float position requires the staff to provide coverage to the following programs on any given shift depending on need: Crisis Assessment Team (CAT), Crisis Centre First Contact (CCFC), Crisis Response Team (CRT), Crisis Stabilization Space (CSS), Reach Out/988