Addiction And Mental Health Worker, Community Homes For Opportunity

Mental Health Worker (OPSEU, Elgin)

• Two Positions Available*

Full-Time, Permanent & Full-Time, Contract (Start Date: June 5 - up to 9.8 months)

St. Thomas; Elgin County Catchment Area

• Application Deadline: April 28, 2023 -

Every person in our community has the right to safe, affordable, quality housing and to live with dignity and as much independence and choice as possible.

Our Community Homes for Opportunity (CHO) program lives this ideal by providing mental health and addictions supports to CHO Homes, and encouraging residents to become active members of their community. As a member of the CHO Team, you’ll work with residents as well as independent CHO Home staff to enhance the quality of life for each individual resident and to empower the ability to gain life skills, grow their personal strengths and gain choices for their wellbeing.

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

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.

WHAT WE'RE OFFERING:

• When you'll work - 70 hours over a two week period, Monday to Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm
• 1.0 Contract position: Immediately eligible for optional enrolment in the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)
• 1.0 Permanent position: Immediate enrollment in the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan and after 90-days will be enrolled in healthcare benefits plan
• What you'll be making - $27.84 per hour with applicable hourly premiums
• PSLRTA Notice - This posting characterizes this position as currently unionized under the Elgin Collective Agreement. However, please be aware that the organization on September 29, 2022, a vote was held as a result of an application by the Organization under the Public Sector Labour Relations Transition Act. The result was that employees voted to award OPSEU bargaining rights for all employees. Until such time as a new collective agreement is finalized, current terms and conditions of employment and existing, applicable collective agreements, if any, will remain in force and effect.
• Your pension & benefits plan:

HOW YOU WILL BE MAKING A DIFFERENCE:

Operations:

• Problem solve issues and provide feedback to Team Lead and Manager around program concerns and direction;
• Support implementation of new initiatives and policy and procedure change within the program;
• Assist with completing intake assessments to determine whether the program is an appropriate fit for new referrals;
• Liaise with the Team Lead and Manager with respect to potential discharges and admissions.
• Assist the team to ensure program consistency and that services are delivered with integrity, respect, accountability, compassion, and accessibility in a welcoming environment;

Primary Worker:

• Ensure individual’s needs are being met and that they are supported to maintain housing.
• Designated primary worker for approximately 20 tenants;
• Ensure individual’s clinical record is complete and up-to-date;

Direct Service:

• Linkages to community supports including: advocacy, referrals and connections with appropriate clinical services, supports, and resources (formal and informal) based on individual’s needs;
• Eviction support including: landlord liaison, support obtaining legal assistance, hoarding intervention, education regarding the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) and navigation and support of Landlord Tenant Board processes and hearings;
• Tenancy support including: home/unit selection and signing of lease agreement, income verification, orientation to home and community agency, move-in assistance, education regarding rights and responsibilities, housing specific goal setting, and rent collection;
• Support homeowners/landlords as necessary in conjunction with the individual;
• Independent life skills coaching including: payment of rent and bills, money management/budgeting, food preparation, nutrition counselling, room maintenance/cleaning, use of public transportation, use of laundry facilities, and personal safety;
• Health and wellness support including: participation in and/or co-ordination of Community Care Plans (CCPs), relapse prevention and planning, wellness/recovery planning, medication education, symptom and medication monitoring, referrals to specialized health services, and support with physical health concerns;
• Motivate and support individual to work towards achievement of their needs/goals;
• Personal support including: education regarding bathing/hygiene, dressing, routine development, meal preparation, and laundry;
• Social support including: communication skills, assertiveness training, and co-ordination of recreational community outings and activities to enhance individual’s quality of life and connections with the community;
• Provide health teaching about addictions, mental illness and symptom management.
• Crisis support including: safety planning, crisis prevention and intervention, and reduction in utilization of EMS, ER visits, days in hospital, and days incarcerated;

Clinical Assessment, Support, and Goal Planning:

• Regularly solicit feedback from the individual, homeowner, home staff and relevant community supports regarding individual’s addiction and/or mental health and progress towards their goals.
• Assess individuals strengths, abilities, needs and preferences and assist the individual to complete wellness plans and work towards their goals through utilization of all, or a combination of, the following tools: OCAN, GAIN-SS, SPDAT, and LOCUS;
• Include and encourage individual’s natural supports (e.g. family, friends) and home staff in goal planning, clarifying the roles each plays towards individual’s rehabilitation;
• Assess social and environmental factors, and any vulnerability and risk factors;

Communication and Decision Making:

• Ensure effective communication with manager, staff team, home staff or landlord and external treatment teams concerning individual’s progress;
• Complete other required documentation (e.g. leave management, education requests, travel claims, expense claims) within the required time frames;
• Completion of a discharge summary upon individual’s transition from the program outlining progress made in the program and recommendations for the future;
• Complete required individual documentation as per agency standards;
• Knowledge of issues pertaining to individual confidentiality, such as consent to release personal information process to ensure individual’s confidentiality is maintained at all times
• Professionally liaise with community workers and agencies regarding the program;
• Make decisions both independently and collaboratively;
• Maintain open communication with individual’s professional and natural supports and home staff in regards to individual’s rehabilitation;
• Identify, promote resolution, and management of all emergency situations concerning individuals, staff, and property;

WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO APPLY:

Vaccination Requirements

CMHA Thames Valley Addiction & Mental Health Services requires that all staff members be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, with the rare exemption of those individuals who cannot be vaccinated due to approved exemptions (medical reasons or religious grounds as recognized in the Ontario Human Rights Code). Proof of full vaccination or approval of exemption will be required; further details will be provided to those candidates moving forward in the recruitment process.

Police Vulnerable Sector Check

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.

We require the following qualifications:

• Demonstrated problem solving skills, initiative and team focus, and leadership skills;
• Valid Driver’s Licence
• Current, clear Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC)
• Vehicle insurance in compliance with CMHA TVAMHS policy
• Effective communication and time management skills;
• Minimum college diploma completed in a relevant social services discipline (primary proof of credentials will be required during the hiring process i.e. original degree/diploma or official transcript)
• Demonstrated ability to attend work regularly

We prefer the following qualifications:

• Current certifications in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI), Standard CPR / First Aid, and/or ASIST
• Residential/community housing experience and familiarity with the Residential Tenancies Act;
• Experience working with individuals with mental health issues, addictions, or problematic substance use;
• Training and/or experience in trauma-informed care;
• Knowledge of serious mental illness as well as best practices, psychosocial rehabilitation, psychiatric medications, community resources, electronic documentation methods, and health and safety;
• Registration in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW), the College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO), or the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO);
• A bachelor-level degree, preferably in the area of social work, psychology, or nursing;
• Bilingual both official languages, preferred; préférence sera accordée aux candidats qui sont compétents dans les deux langues officielles du Canada

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Able to climb stairs, as the homes supported are not fully accessible.
• Standing and walking for extended periods of time;

INTERNAL APPLICANTS: To be considered as an internal applicant, current staff members are reminded to apply using their @cmhatv.ca or @slwar.ca email address.

Get your application in by – April 28, 2023:

Our recruitment process allows us to learn about your previous work experience, your qualifications and your commitment to fulfilling our vision. While we appreciate the interest of all applicants, only those individuals being considered for a position will be personally contacted by someone from the interview team.

We welcome and encourage applications from all members of our community including persons of any gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation, persons with disabilities, Indigenous persons, and members of visible minorities. If you require accommodations related to a disability at any point during the recruitment process, please contact

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