Careers and Placements

Crisis Response Worker – $27.80 – $29.55/hour (based on experience)

Various Job Types (Part-Time, Casual & Temporary Full-Time) 2 Part-Time, 1 Temporary Full Time and 1 Casual Vacancies Exist. Rotating schedules.

These positions are within OPSEU Local 720 Bargaining Unit

Start date: As soon as possible Application deadline: November 8, 2024

Who we are: Canadian Mental Health Association – Thunder Bay Branch is a non-profit service provider working to ensure mental health services are available for all.  CMHA Thunder Bay is committed to providing quality services for all of Northwestern Ontario residents where all staff strive to protect and promote mental health for all through healthy lifestyle and exemplary recovery focused approach improving upon each individual’s well-being.

What is the job: The Crisis Response Worker assists individuals experiencing a mental health crisis to resume community functioning.  Specific responsibilities include information and referral assistance, crisis assessment, interventions and supports, brief crisis counselling and on site crisis intervention, emergency referrals, and follow-ups.  The work of the Crisis Response worker is guided in practice to apply the principles of “Recovery” and Psychiatric Rehabilitation Approach Technology.  

What will you do day to day?

1. Adherence to all policies of Canadian Mental Health Association.
2. Assisting individuals experiencing mental health crisis to resume community functioning.
3. Provide telephone crisis assessment, brief telephone counseling, referrals and follow-up for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.
4. Respond and provide on-site crisis assessments, intervention and support to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.
5. Coordinate admission to the Crisis Safe Bed and to assist clients in accessing mental health specialists and/or local hospitals, as indicated.
6. Provide Crisis support and to assist clients enrolled in the Crisis Safe Bed and develop Wellness Plans. Attend community appointments, and community referrals, as required.
7. Determine the need for on-site crisis supports by the Mobile Response Team.
8. Being part of a team assisting individuals to access mental health specialists and/or hospitals and to coordinate referrals, linkages, and follow-up to appropriate community support services.
9. Maintain up-to-date client information and records in agency client records systems.
10. Attend and contribute to Crisis Response Services Team meetings and other client-related meetings as required.
11. Liaise with families and friends, mental health specialists, police, emergency service personnel, and Schedule 1 facilities to assist individuals requiring acute care admission under the Mental Health Act.
12. Performs any other tasks related to the position as required.

What do you bring to the job?

• A post-secondary degree or diploma in the health or human services field, along with one year of mental health experience
• Applicants should demonstrate a good knowledge of community mental health and other social service resources and possess skills and experience in crisis assessment, intervention strategies, and crisis counselling/support
• Applicants should demonstrate a willingness to learn and actively participate in an extensive training program provided in the Crisis Response program 
• The incumbent shall also have excellent interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated understanding of personal space and the ability to role model healthy boundaries
• Ability to manage conflict and crisis situations
• Ability to communicate professionally with community agencies
• Cultural competence for diverse populations
• Personal qualities of empathy, understanding and patience
• Must be legally eligible to work in Canada
• Successful completion of a Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) is required
• Ability to speak French is considered an asset
• ASIST certification considered an asset
• You must be available for shift work and possess a valid Class “G” driver’s license

What is in it for you?

• Full medical and dental benefits upon completion of probation (for permanent full-time & part-time roles) CMHA pays 100% of benefit costs eligible employees
• Sick and vacation benefits for eligible employees
• Competitive wages
• Eligibility for participation in CMHA National Pension Plan
• Opportunity to join a fast-paced, positive working environment where recognition and personal growth are highly valued
• Being a part of an organization which is “Accredited” through Accreditation Canada 

Position must be worked on site.

Interested applicants may submit a cover letter, resume & three workplace supervisory references to: [email protected]

CMHA Thunder Bay is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment that is fully accessible and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals including those with a lived experience, members of visible minorities, Indigenous peoples and persons with disabilities.

Please make us aware of any known accommodation needs, if necessary.

We thank all candidates for their interest in this position however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Case Management Services – $27.80 – 29.55/hour (negotiable, based on experience)

1 Full-Time Temporary Vacancy Exists, 12 Month Temporary Position, 6-month contract vacancy, 70 Hours Bi-Weekly (some availability evenings and weekends required)

This position is within OPSEU Local 720 Bargaining Unit

Start date: as soon as possible Application deadline: November 22, 2024

Who we are!
Canadian Mental Health Association – Thunder Bay Branch is a nonprofit service provider
working to ensure mental health services are available for all. CMHA Thunder Bay is committed
to providing quality services for all of Northwestern Ontario residents where all staff strive to
protect and promote mental health for all through healthy lifestyle and exemplary recovery
focused approach improving upon each individual’s well-being.

What is the job?
The Mental Health Service Worker will work within a team that serves to provide comprehensive
case management services within a recovery and strength based model of care to referred
individuals many of whom have on-going, serious and complex mental and physical health and
addiction issues. The Mental Health Service Worker will work closely with community agencies, landlords and housing providers facilitating referrals and advocating for community support, with the main
priority and purpose being to assist the individual obtain and maintain housing.

Key Responsibilities:

The Mental Health Service Worker shall assume responsibility and be evaluated for:

1. Ability to work with client’s needs within a recovery framework
2. Ability to work flexible schedule in order to accommodate the needs of the clients
3. Ability to offer therapeutic life skills and recreational support to clients
4. Implement client-centered supports using a harm reduction approach
5. Demonstrated tolerance and understanding for individuals who present for services
   with urgent multiple needs, issues and problematic behavioural characteristic
6. Apply long term strategies that support client recovery
7. Use non-violent crisis intervention strategies that may impact client’s housing stability
8. Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with required community resources
9. Identify market rent units in the location of choice of the client and negotiate provision
   of supplements with community landlords
10. Maintain relationships with local landlords and facilitate problem solving strategies that
    will help keep clients housed
11. Sound knowledge of the range of primary and community health, mental health and
    addictions and related social services and how to access them
12. Knowledge of the housing continuum, including supported housing systems and
    program models for special needs populations
13. Ability to maintain an empathetic “clear-eyed detachment” for the dilemma of
    individuals in severe need, have a tolerance for frustration and delayed gratification,
    and be able to juggle creatively and successfully around a variety of barriers that keep
    individuals from successful personal and community living
14. Routinely assessing client’s health for potential problems, and developing and
15. implementing a plan with the client to address any health related concerns.
16. Identifying and coordinating referrals to community resources based on the clients
    goal(s).
17. Ensuring accurate records, receipts, mileage statements, and expense claims are
    maintained with appropriate forms
18. Ensuring collection of statistics, reports, incident reports, on-call reports, weekly time
    sheets, and performance appraisals are submitted to the Program Supervisor/Director.
19. Adhering to and promoting CMHA’s Code of Ethics Policy & complying with CMHA’s
    Health and Safety Policies.
20. Completes other duties that may be assigned.

Qualifications and Characteristics:

• Degree or Diploma in Social Sciences
• Demonstrated knowledge and skills in bio-psychosocial assessment
• Knowledge of the health, mental health, addictions, and social services
• Functional computer skills
• Ability to speak French is considered an asset
• Demonstrated ability to work with complex populations
• Ability to work in unstructured environments
• Evidence of solid relationships with community partners
• ASIST and Non-Violent Crisis Intervention an asset
• File updating and maintenance
• Problem solving, organizational, listening, and verbal skills
• Ability to work independently in the community
• Knowledge and understanding of harm reduction and recovery approaches to service
  delivery
• Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) Clearance.
• You are required to hold a valid driver’s license, provide verification of two million liability
  coverage on your vehicle, and are expected to transport clients, as required by your
  manager.
• Able to provide verification of full vaccination against Covid-19
• Legally eligible to work in Canada
• Must possess a valid Class “G” driver’s license

Position must be worked on-site.

• Full Covid-19 Vaccination Verification required subject to any contraindications that
  are medically supported.
• Interested applicants may submit a cover letter, resume & three workplace supervisory
  references to: [email protected]
• CMHA Thunder Bay is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment that is
  fully accessible and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals including those
  with a lived experience, members of visible minorities, Indigenous peoples and persons
  with disabilities.
• Please make us aware of any known accommodation needs, if necessary.
  We thank all candidates for their interest in this position however only those selected for an
  interview will be contacted.

Student Placements

We have filled all student summer placements/internships for 2024/2025 but if you are interested in a placement or intern opportunity, interested students must contact: [email protected]

CMHA Thunder Bay is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment that is fully accessible and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals including those with a lived experience, members of visible minorities, Indigenous peoples and persons with disabilities.

Please make us aware of any known accommodation needs, if necessary.

We thank all candidates for their interest in this position however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.