Relief Counsellor, Mobile Crisis Response Team

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

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) staff will support individuals accessing services by providing a psychosocial response to promote crisis resolution and empowerment. MCRT staff provide 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 from 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).

Requirements

• Completed 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

• 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; une préférence sera accordée aux personnes possédant des compétences 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.

Benefits

• Starting rate for this role is $27.14 per hour (Level 1 – Direct Service), with a wage differential, based on regulation ($30.01 per hour for Level 1 – Direct Service, Regulated)
• Successful candidates who are registered with one of the designated professional colleges (e.g. OCSWSSW, CNO, COTO, CRPO, CPSO, or CPO) will receive the wage differential for regulation
• Successful external applicants will start at Level 1, with grid progression based on seniority up to Level 8 ($34.41 per hour for non-regulated, and $37.26 per hour for regulated); for internal applicants, grid level placement will occur as per the Collective Agreement
• Premiums of $2.00 will be applied for eligible Evening/Night and Weekend Shifts
• Casual shifts up to 44 hours per week; Rotating days, afternoons and evenings with a possibility for Saturday shifts.
• Immediately eligible for optional enrolment in the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree