Counsellor, Crisis Response Team
Direct Service - (OPSEU)
Full-Time, Contract (Ending: March 31, 2025) *Three positions available*
London, Ontario (London Zone)
- Application Deadline: November 27, 2024 -

When individuals in our community experience an urgent mental health or addictions crisis, they deserve a response that is person-centred and supportive, while focusing on personal dignity and wellbeing.

The Crisis Response Team provides mobile response to individuals in crisis, assessing the nature and scope of the crisis and taking appropriate action. The Counsellor will also work with clients at the time of their crisis to identify needs and provide connections with services and supports in the community.

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

Successful candidates must have a Police Vulnerable Sector Check completed in the last six months. Interested applicants who reside in the City of London and are in need of a Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) are encouraged to apply for one as soon as possible as PVSCs in the City of London are currently taking approximately 3 weeks to be processed and offers of employment cannot be made without receipt of a PVSC.

WHAT WE'RE OFFERING:

• What you'll be making - Starting rate for this role is $26.74 per hour (Level 1 – Direct Service), with a wage differential, based on regulation ($29.57 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 ($33.90 per hour for non-regulated, and $36.71 per hour for regulated)
  • For internal applicants, grid level placement will occur as per the Collective Agreement
• When you'll work – 70 hours bi-weekly; including a paid 30-minute meal break
  • Afternoons - Monday-Friday 13:30-20:30 alternating weekends
  • Nights -Monday-Wednesday and every other Saturday 20:30-06:30
  • Nights - Sunday-Tuesday and every other Saturday 20:30-06:30
• What your benefits will be - 9% in lieu of benefits
• Your pension plan - Immediately eligible for optional enrolment in the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)

HOW YOU WILL BE MAKING A DIFFERENCE:

• Complete face-to-face mental health and addictions assessments based on theory of crisis management including rapid response, risk assessment, de-escalation, stabilization, and referral to determine client needs and level of risk
• Engage Emergency Services when it is determined that additional intervention is required
• Establish a therapeutic relationship to maximize the benefits of engagement between the staff and client
• Assess social and environmental factors impacting the client
• Determine the impact of psychiatric symptoms on functioning
• Identify risk factors related to client and staff safety
• Assess barriers to successful community living (e.g. treatment options, transportation, finances, etc.)
• Ensure the assessment incorporates cultural and ethnic factors
• Advocate as necessary in order to facilitate access to services and supports with the objective of remediating immediate crisis situation
• Refer clients to an RN when psychiatric assessment for a clinic referral is determined to be necessary and/or appropriate
• Assist the client to identify and connect with personal/natural supports
• Provide short-term follow-up support to bridge the gap from referral to engagement with a longer-term support service
• Have knowledge about community resources relevant to clients, including other addiction and mental health services, entitlement and benefit programs, (e.g. ODSP, Ontario Works, London Housing, etc.)
• When appropriate, act as liaison with caregivers and/or service and support providers who are involved with client to facilitate a coordinated approach to service provision
• Provide telephone assistance to individuals seeking support, face-to-face appointments and/or information about addiction and mental health services and supports
• Provide health teaching and information regarding a variety of coping techniques and strategies
• Provide information regarding resources found within both the broader addiction and mental health system and the community in general
• Provide coverage for other Crisis Services Programs, as requested (i.e. Crisis Centre-First Contact, Crisis Stabilization Space)
• Work collaboratively with colleagues at the Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Centre to provide a seamless, person-centred approach for service delivery and to support other staff as needed
• Attend and actively participate in staff and group meetings
• Contribute to a positive team environment

WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO APPLY:

Police Vulnerable Sector Check Requirements

Successful candidates must have a Police Vulnerable Sector Check completed in the last six months. Interested applicants who reside in the City of London and are in need of a Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) are encouraged to apply for one as soon as possible as PVSCs in the City of London are currently taking approximately 3 weeks to be processed and offers of employment cannot be made without receipt of a PVSC.

We Require the Following Qualifications:

• Degree or diploma in a health or social science discipline (Primary proof of credentials will be required during the hiring process, i.e. original degree/diploma/certificate or official transcript)
• Valid Driver's License, adequate insurance and access to a vehicle to carry out job duties
• Ability to attend work regularly

We Prefer the Following Qualifications:

• Registration with a professional college (i.e. OCSWSSW, CNO, CRPO, CPSO, COTO, CPO)
• Basic computer skills
• Knowledge of and experience working with individuals with a serious mental illness and/or addiction in a community setting
• Knowledge of community resources in London
• Training in crisis intervention and resolution including ASIST and First Aid/CPR
• Bilingual both official languages, preferred; préférence sera accordée aux candidats qui sont compétents dans les deux langues officielles du Canada

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 – November 27, 2024:

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 [email protected]

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