Counsellor, Mobile Crisis Response Team

CMHA Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services•Strathroy-Caradoc, ON

1d•CA$27 - CA$37•Hybrid

About The Position

Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) staff will support individuals accessing services by providing a psychosocial response in order to promote crisis resolution and empowerment for the individual. MCRT staff are responsible for providing a mobile response to individuals experiencing a mental health or addictions related crisis at the point of direct contact with police. MCRT staff occupy office space at respective police headquarters and respond to live and follow-up calls with patrol officers to assist with de-escalation, diversion form medical intervention where possible and facilitation of transition to acute care where required to help ensure positive outcomes for the individual. MCRT will also work collaboratively with individuals to assess and identify their needs and link them to appropriate supports in the community. MCRT Middlesex-Strathroy staff are responsible for working in a dedicated capacity supporting the Middlesex Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Strathroy-Caradoc Police Service (SCPS). This grant provides access to valuable educational opportunities and covers uniform expenses. 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)
Successful Clearance Process as required by Middlesex Ontario Provincial Police and Strathroy-Caradoc Police Services, is mandatory; failure to pass will result in ineligibility to continue in the role
Current, satisfactory Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC)
Demonstrated ability to attend work regularly

Nice To Haves

Training in crisis intervention and crisis resolution, including ASIST
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
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
Valid Driver’s Licence and access to a vehicle with adequate insurance to carry out job duties
Bilingual both official languages, preferred; préférence sera accordée aux candidats qui sont compétents dans les deux langues officielles du Canada

Responsibilities

Work directly alongside police officers during regular work hours to assist in de-escalation of crisis
Complete mental health and addiction assessments with individuals and family members who come into contact with police 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 and their family members
Provide short-term telephone and in-person 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 for individuals or for their family members
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
Facilitate access to secondary healthcare services where voluntarily agreed to by an individual as part of an intervention or upon enforcement under the Mental Health Act, liaising directly with health care professionals (e.g. hospital) to ease the transition from police custody to acute mental health care
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.
Where requested by officers, to participate in death notifications and link individuals to victim services or other supports as required
Act as a resource for officer wellness providing system navigation for their own mental health support based on training and orientation to the respective police service’s internal wellness resources
To keep abreast of current principles, best practices, standards and models of mental health service provision through active pursuit of professional development, training and networking opportunities
To meet and communicate regularly with CMHA Leadership to discuss attendance, scheduling, training needs, professional development, clinical service provisions, work performance and operational changes
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, respective police partners and other social or health care providers (e.g. hospital)
Participate in committees, working groups or Situation tables as needed to promote effective service coordination and collaboration, and deliver presentations as needed
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
Thoroughly review and accurately document risk factors
Complete required documentation related to participants as per organizational standards
Complete other required documentation (e.g., monthly time sheets, vacation requests, education requests, travel claims, expense claims) as per required time frames
Submit a copy of valid vehicle insurance (insurance that is appropriate for the role) each year upon renewal
Maintain and document accurate recording of all police incidents arising in the course of the work as well as any follow-up completed
Maintain dual records, recording both in the format required by CMHA and in accordance with the documentation and record storage policy and procedures of policing partner
Compile and maintain program statistics as required by respective police partner and CMHA TV and to provide narrative detail or write-ups when requested in order to support future grant and funding proposals
Adhere to the privacy policies of and privacy legislation of respective police partner, and CMHA TV collection and disclosure of information, undertaking responsibility for maintaining awareness of the unique differences between the privacy frameworks of municipal services, provincial services, and health services
When necessary, compile documentation such as affidavits or will-say statements where required by respective policing partner or where compelled by court
When necessary, testify professionally and accurately at hearings, trials and such other judicial or quasi-judicial proceedings as may be compelled from time to time, arising from nature of the work
Participate as an active member of the multi-disciplinary team by ensuring cross training to perform roles and responsibilities of each team under the Crisis and Access department and ensure the effective flow of relevant information between co-workers
Adhere strictly to the health and safety provisions put in place by respective police partner and CMHA TV and to assume an active and diligent role in contributing to a safe and health workplace
Respect the authority of our policing partners (e.g. Officer, Inspector, or other staff persons) assigned to functionally direct the work performed as part of this role (“functional supervisor”)
Attend and actively participate in team and community of practice meetings.
Work with other Crisis team members to ensure adequate staffing levels in all programs.
Participate in orientation and training of new staff
Provide support and encouragement to other staff as needed, (e.g., assistance with challenging individuals, coverage requests, resource sharing)
Share responsibility for work loads
Monitor and report on quality of services provided, identifying deficiencies and respectfully advocating positive change
To represent CMHA TV, respective police partner professionally and positively in the community
Contribute to a positive team environment
Other duties as required
Provide support to individuals through Reach Out.
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.