Addiction and Mental Health Worker, First Contact at CMHA Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services — NeverHard

Job DescriptionJob Description Addiction and Mental Health Worker, First Contact Direct Service - (OPSEU) Full-Time, Contract (Ending: March 31, 2027) Woodstock, ON (Oxford Zone) This posting is the result of an existing vacancy. - Application Deadline: August 6, 2026 - We believe 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 Addiction and Mental Health Worker, First Contact will perform duties and responsibilities consistent with providing short-term support for participants attending their site. The Addiction and Mental Health Worker will ensure the safety of participants, encourage empowerment and support crisis resolution while maintaining a calm and respectful environment for all. Consider revitalizing your career and making a difference in your community by joining our team! WHAT WE'RE OFFERING: What you'll be making - 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 When you'll work – 70 hours bi-weekly, Rotating Days, Afternoons and Evenings, including weekends 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 (HOOPP) HOW YOU WILL BE MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Direct Service: Respond to in-person and phone referrals for service Work collaboratively with referral sources to ensure a smooth transition to services for clients Contribute to a welcoming and supportive environment for participants attending the site Complete mental health and addictions assessments and interventions based on the theory of crisis management including rapid response, risk assessment, de-escalation, stabilization, and referral to determine participant needs and level of risk Utilize interventions consistent with a harm reduction approach for participants with substance abuse problems Establish a therapeutic relationship to maximize the benefits of engagement between the staff person and the client Provide short-term follow-up support to bridge the gap from referral to engagement with a longer-term support service as needed In partnership with the client being served, coordinate and facilitate linkages to appropriate services and supports in the community Advocate as necessary in order to facilitate access to services and supports with the objective of remediating the immediate crisis situation Provide information regarding resources found within both the broader mental health system and the community in general Engage Emergency Services when it is determined that additional intervention is required When appropriate, act as a liaison with caregivers and/or support providers who are involved with the participant to facilitate a coordinated approach to service provision Provide referrals to other services within the organization such as the CAT team and Transitional Case Management Team, as necessary Provide health teaching and information regarding a variety of coping techniques and strategies, e.g. grounding, breathing techniques, self-care, nutrition, sleep hygiene, techniques to enhance overall well-being, the completion of crisis plans Provide client follow-up as determined to be necessary and/or appropriate Crisis Intervention & Follow-up: 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 related to substance use Refer individuals for additional assessments as is determined to be necessary and/or appropriate Assist individuals in identifying and connecting with personal, natural, and professional support to promote overall well-being Provide follow-up support and/or check ins to bridge the gap from referral to engagement with a longer-term support service as appropriate Facilitate debriefing sessions for individuals and groups Reception: Serve as initial contact in greeting and directing clients, staff and guests with a primary focus on providing a welcoming environment to all site visitors Ensuring that all enquires are addressed in a timely manner Work collaboratively with co-workers to ensure the effective flow of relevant information between co-workers as well as to clients and site visitors (including messages, service information, organizational and site-specific information) Ensure that reception areas are maintained in a manner that is tidy and inviting, and that public bulletin boards and brochure supply areas are kept current and accessible Operate telephone system – answer, screen and forward telephone calls, record and relay information Ensure sign in book is updated to assist in tracking of all persons in the building as per Health and Safety requirements Retrieve and bring the sign in book when an evacuation of the building has occurred in order for a roll call to be completed, where applicable Retrieve, sort, date stamp correspondence, and distribute accordingly, where applicable Coordinate and distribute all incoming e-mails to the general e-mail account, all incoming faxes, and all incoming postal mail, where applicable Teamwork: Actively engage in learning opportunities, events, meetings, and team building activities scheduled by the organization for staff members Act as a resource to other staff and community partners; seek out and listen to input from other staff and community partners Provide support and encouragement to other staff as needed (e.g. assistance with challenging participants/clients, coverage for vacation, sick time, share responsibility for work loads) Be supportive of, and an active participant in, the constant evolution and growth of the organization Work collaboratively with other staff teams to provide a seamless, person-centered approach Participate as an active member of a multi-disciplinary team Attend and actively participate in staff and group meetings Coordinate work, as needed, with co-workers Act as a resource to other staff Seek out and listen to input from other staff Share responsibility for work loads Contribute to a positive team environment Other duties as required 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 2 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 mental health or addictions related field, or a degree or diploma in an unrelated field with a minimum of three years’ employment experience in a direct-service mental health and addictions role (primary proof of credentials will be required during the hiring process i.e. original degree/diploma or official transcript) Ability to attend work regularly Current, satisfactory Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) We prefer the following qualifications: Training in crisis intervention and crisis resolution, including ASIST Current First Aid and CPR certification WHMIS years’ experience working in mental health 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 for mental health and addictions 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 – August 6, 2026: 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 Human.Resources@cmhatv.ca Legal Notifications: For legal purposes our full business name is: Canadian Mental Health Association Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services Artificial Intelligence is not currently employed in our recruitment processes Powered by JazzHR iklTUyI3Et