Mental Health & Harm Reduction System Navigator

The Pod Group • Mississauga, ON

90d • $60,000 - $72,000

About The Position

A growing, community-based organization that provides shelter and outreach support for homeless youth in Peel Region. They are a leading organization recognized in the community for its commitment to providing youth in need with a safe environment and access to services to help them achieve independence and foster growth.
Are you passionate about supporting youth homelessness?
The Pod Group is partnering with this organization to place a compassionate, client-focused and hands-on individual to fulfill the role of a Mental Health and Harm Reduction System Navigator.
The Mental Health and Harm Reduction System Navigator works within the context of a Housing First for Youth (HF4Y) ACT team care model, in accordance with the standards of professional practice and consistent with the mission, vision and values and established policy and protocols of the organization. The Mental Health and Harm Reduction System Navigator works as part of a broader community care system to deliver services to clients experiencing various levels of substance use, addictions, and mental health challenges.
Role Overview:
The Mental Health and Harm Reduction System Navigator will:
Establish and maintain non-judgmental and trauma-informed relationships with assigned youth
Conduct clinically informed biopsychosocial assessments with assigned youth.
Co-create care plans based on youth goals, assessed strengths, and identified needs.
Facilitate and coordinate necessary services and supports to address the complex care needs for youth and support a youth’s goal progress, especially as it relates to housing goals, consistent with the values of self-determination/choice and harm reduction.
Serve as the main point of contact for the youth with other care team members, including hospitals, community care staff, medical staff, court staff, and youth’s circle of care (family, natural supports).
Conduct regular care conferences to ensure case plan alignment and reduce gaps/duplications in service.
Maintain collaborative relationships with internal and external partners.
Support participants through evictions and moves, and work with a young person to increase capacity and insight into self-management strategies that increase the likelihood of housing success.
Must be able to provide rapid response to crisis situations and support de-escalation interventions with other colleagues in high-acuity settings, such as emergency shelters.

Requirements

• Demonstrated understanding of oppression and marginalization, specifically as related to people with experiences of a mental illness, addiction, or homelessness.
• Demonstrated ability to build rapport and maintain engagement when working with youth with complex care needs and challenging behaviours.
• A strong belief in the capacity for growth and change, and the ability to hold unconditional positive regard for youth.
• Demonstrated crisis response and de-escalation competencies/skills.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the principles of recovery with individuals experiencing severe and persistent mental illness.
• Demonstrated knowledge of bio-psycho-social issues that may occur in response to changing mental health and substance use needs.
• Demonstrated knowledge of mental health and substance use diagnoses and their interactions.
• Demonstrated knowledge of DSM diagnostic classification system.
• Demonstrated knowledge of psychopharmacology.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles of harm reduction, recovery, and recovery models and practice.
• Demonstrated knowledge of harm reduction principles and activities.
• Basic knowledge of other health care disciplines and their role in client care.
• Ability to maintain positive and productive working relationships with community partners and professionals involved in a complex care team.
• Ability to conduct trauma-informed and comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments and care plans.
• Ability to independently plan, organize, and prioritize workload and adapting to a changing workload.
• Ability to prepare case summaries and clinical documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in the writing of reports, correspondence, and other documentation.
• Sound knowledge or crisis intervention and community resources.
• Many forms of education and experience are valued, including volunteering and lived experience of mental illness / addiction/ homelessness
• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree preferred) from a recognized program and registration with a professional body (e.g., Registered Social Worker, Registered Clinical Counsellor, Canadian Certified Counsellor, OACYC, Mental Health, or equivalent)
• Two (2) to three (3) years recent related experience providing assessment and interventions to individuals who have substance abuse and mental health challenges, preferably with urban homeless populations with serious mental illness, substance addiction and complex health conditions. Youth experience preferred.
• Valid CPI/ UMAB and First Aid/ CPR certifications.
• Satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Police Check that meets the standards of the organization.
• Valid Ontario Driver’s License and acceptable drivers abstract. Use of a personal vehicle is required.
• Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, subject to applicable legislation.
• Must be able to work flexible hours including weekends, evenings and holidays and be work at multiple locations in Peel Region.

Nice To Haves

• Addictions and Mental Health Certification preferred
• Youth experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain non-judgmental and trauma-informed relationships with assigned youth
• Conduct clinically informed biopsychosocial assessments with assigned youth.
• Co-create care plans based on youth goals, assessed strengths, and identified needs.
• Facilitate and coordinate necessary services and supports to address the complex care needs for youth and support a youth’s goal progress, especially as it relates to housing goals, consistent with the values of self-determination/choice and harm reduction.
• Serve as the main point of contact for the youth with other care team members, including hospitals, community care staff, medical staff, court staff, and youth’s circle of care (family, natural supports).
• Conduct regular care conferences to ensure case plan alignment and reduce gaps/duplications in service.
• Maintain collaborative relationships with internal and external partners.
• Support participants through evictions and moves, and work with a young person to increase capacity and insight into self-management strategies that increase the likelihood of housing success.
• Must be able to provide rapid response to crisis situations and support de-escalation interventions with other colleagues in high-acuity settings, such as emergency shelters.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees