Addiction and Mental Health Worker, Community Homes for Opportunity

Direct Service - (OPSEU)

Full-Time, Contract (Ending: July 13, 2025)

St. Thomas, Ontario; Multi-site accountability (Elgin Zone)

- Application Deadline: December 2, 2024 -

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:

• 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 over a two week period, 9am-4:30pm Monday-Friday or Compressed Work Week
• What your benefits will be - 9% in lieu of benefits
• Your pension plan - Immediately eligible for optional enrollment in the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan

HOW YOU WILL BE MAKING A DIFFERENCE:

Operations:

• Support implementation of new initiatives and policy and procedure change within the program;
• Liaise with the Team Lead and Manager with respect to potential discharges and admissions.
• Assist with completing intake assessments to determine whether the program is an appropriate fit for new referrals;
• Problem solve issues and provide feedback to Team Lead and Manager around program concerns and direction;
• 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:

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

Direct Service:

• 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;
• 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;
• 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;
• 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;
• Personal support including: education regarding bathing/hygiene, dressing, routine development, meal preparation, and laundry;
• Linkages to community supports including: advocacy, referrals and connections with appropriate clinical services, supports, and resources (formal and informal) based on individual's needs;
• Crisis support including: safety planning, crisis prevention and intervention, and reduction in utilization of EMS, ER visits, days in hospital, and days incarcerated;
• 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;
• Support homeowners/landlords as necessary in conjunction with the individual;
• Motivate and support individual to work towards achievement of their needs/goals;
• Provide health teaching about addictions, mental illness and symptom management.

Clinical Assessment, Support, and Goal Planning:

• 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;
• Assess social and environmental factors, and any vulnerability and risk factors;
• 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;
• 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.

Communication and Decision Making:

• Maintain open communication with individual's professional and natural supports and home staff in regards to individual's rehabilitation;
• Make decisions both independently and collaboratively;
• 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;
• Complete other required documentation (e.g. leave management, education requests, travel claims, expense claims) within the required time frames;
• Professionally liaise with community workers and agencies regarding the program;
• Ensure effective communication with manager, staff team, home staff or landlord and external treatment teams concerning individual's progress;
• Identify, promote resolution, and management of all emergency situations concerning individuals, staff, and property;
• 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

WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO APPLY:

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:

• 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)
• Valid Driver's Licence
• Vehicle insurance in compliance with CMHA TVAMHS policy
• Current, clear Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC)
• Demonstrated ability to attend work regularly

We prefer the following qualifications:

• A bachelor-level degree, preferably in the area of social work, psychology, or nursing;
• 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);
• Demonstrated problem solving skills, initiative and team focus, and leadership skills;
• Effective communication and time management skills;
• Valid Driver's Licence
• Knowledge of serious mental illness as well as best practices, psychosocial rehabilitation, psychiatric medications, community resources, electronic documentation methods, and health and safety;
• Experience working with individuals with mental health issues, addictions, or problematic substance use;
• Training and/or experience in trauma-informed care;
• Residential/community housing experience and familiarity with the Residential Tenancies Act;
• Current certifications in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI), Standard CPR / First Aid, and/or ASIST
• Bilingual both official languages, preferred; préférence sera accordée aux candidats qui sont compétents dans les deux langues officielles du Canada

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

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

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 – December 2, 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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