Crisis Assessment Worker Nights

Crisis Assessment Worker (Nights), Crisis Assessment Team

- Application Deadline: September 23, 2021 -

Full-time, Permanent (Benefited)

Job Summary:

Within the mission, philosophy, policies and procedures of CMHA Middlesex, and the College of Nurses/College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers/College of Occupational Therapists standards the Crisis Assessment Team (CAT) Member will work with individuals in crisis, to assess the nature and scope of the crisis and taking appropriate action in a manner consistent with the psychosocial rehabilitation model. The CAT Member works collaboratively with individuals-served, peers and the community to enhance the physical and mental health of individuals experiencing mental illness. This position will work predominantly at the Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Centre. The successful candidate will be enrolled in the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) and extended healthcare benefits.

A professional designation as BSW, MSW, RN, OT or Counsellor and registration with the corresponding college is preferred for this role. Experience using therapeutic approaches in working with individuals in a mental health and/or addiction crisis is a necessity and crisis intervention and prevention training is required.

Successful candidates must have a Police Vulnerable Sector Check completed in the last six months. In order to avoid delays in beginning a position, 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 delivered and offers of employment may be delayed without receipt of a PVSC.

Job Description and Primary Responsibilities:

Assessment-In collaboration with the individual:

• Complete bio-psychosocial mental health assessments based on theory of crisis management including rapid response, risk assessment, de-escalation, stabilization, and referral to determine individual needs and level of risk
• Establish a therapeutic relationship to maximize the benefits of engagement with the individual
• Refer to psychiatric clinic as deemed appropriate
• Assess the adequacy of resources/supports currently available to the individual and make referrals to applicable community resources as appropriate
• Determine the impact of psychiatric symptoms on functioning
• Identify risk factors related to relapse as well as the safety of staff and individuals-served
• Assess barriers to successful community living (e.g. treatment options, transportation, finances, etc.)
• Ensure the assessment incorporates cultural and ethnic factors

Crisis Intervention:

• 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

Crisis Management – Follow-up:

• Advocate as necessary in order to facilitate access to services and supports with the objective of remediating immediate crisis situation
• Support the individual to access needed resources
• Refer individuals for additional assessments as is determined to be necessary and/or appropriate
• Assist the individual 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

Service Coordination and Advocacy:

• Have knowledge about community resources relevant to individuals, including other mental health services, entitlement and benefit programs, (e.g. ODSP, Ontario Works, London Housing, etc.)
• Identify, develop and maintain good links with a wide range of community resources
• Assist the individual to obtain needed resources by educating and supporting the individual to access resources, linking the individual to appropriate services, advocating with or for the individual when needed
• Assist in building positive working relationships across the service system including CMHA and hospital
• Participate in public education and advocacy

Information and Referral:

• Provide assistance to individuals seeking support, face-to-face appointments and/or information about mental health services and supports
• Provide health teaching and information regarding a variety of coping techniques and strategies
• Assist individuals in developing strategies for managing their health needs according to resources and personal skills available
• Provide information and advocate regarding resources within both the broader mental health system & the community in general

Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery:

• Collaborate with the individual and the team to provide a holistic approach and assist in developing goals and the “plan of care”
• Support the individual in developing skills for self-advocacy
• Interact and provide support in a nonjudgmental fashion and provide care that demonstrates sensitivity to individual diversity (e.g. culture, race, age, sexual orientation, gender, beliefs and values)

Job Specifications:

Hours of Work:

• This position will comprise 70 hours per bi-weekly period; during the overnight hours of operations
• Shifts will be up to 12 hours in length

Application Deadline - September 23, 2021:

Our recruitment process allows us to learn about your previous work experience, your qualifications and your commitment to fulfilling our vision. Interested applicants are invited to submit a cover letter and resume.
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.

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