Mhsu Specialist

CMHA Kelowna is hiring a full-time Mental Health & Substance Use (MHSU) Specialist. The full-time role is 37.5 hours per week, with a typical work week of Monday to Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm.

**WHO IS A MENTAL HEALTH & SUBSTANCE USE SPECIALIST?**

**WHAT DOES THE MENTAL HEALTH & SUBSTANCE USE SPECIALIST DO?**

**RESPONSIBILITIES**:

- Provision of individual treatment, psychoeducation, and ongoing assessment of progress to residents using evidence-based modalities including: cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), mindfulness, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and trauma-informed care.
- Provides client-centered psychosocial care, counselling, and group work within the supportive housing sites.
- When necessary, assists with system navigation and advocacy, and referrals to relevant specialized complex care resources while facilitating resident self-management.
- Works collaboratively with the residents, internal building team, other health professionals and community partners, families and various support people to ensure coordinated and integrated care;
- Provides a continuum of addiction and recovery support (prevention, relapse prevention) using health promotion and harm reduction approaches.
- Works to reduce barriers to mental health support with a high level of empathy while also implementing compassionately informed boundaries;
- Other duties as required.

**QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE**:

- Completion of a Masters Degree in Counselling, Social Work, Psychology, or related field;
- Current registration with a professional body is preferred;
- Practical and related experience in Mental Health and Substance Use is required;
- Experience facilitating group programs/therapy is preferred;
- Experience working with individuals that experiencing or with a history of homelessness, or other vulnerable or complex populations;
- Knowledge of multiple treatment modalities including: cognitive behavior therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness, dialectical behavior therapy, and/or others;
- Knowledge of and ability to implement trauma informed practice, client-centered care, and harm reduction philosophies;
- Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with all members of the Supportive Housing team and in community;
- Exercise initiative and judgment with ability to multi-task in a fast paced, challenging environment, often with competing priorities;
- Evidence of ongoing professional development in mental health and addiction assessment and treatment is highly desirable;
- Knowledge of community resources available for participant/family support and related substance use and health services;
- Ability to work independently and demonstrate self-management and time management skills;
- An ability to manage a flexible work schedule;
- Must have reliable transportation;
- Driver’s license and reliable vehicle is preferred;
- Current first aid certification and naloxone training is considered an asset.

**WHO IS CMHA KELOWNA?**

**CMHA KELOWNA OFFERS YOU**:

- A competitive hourly wage of $32.49 - $37.37
- Dental, Health & EAP Benefits
- RRSP matching program
- Vacation & Personal Health Days
- A workplace culture that fosters learning, transparency, trust and team work

As an employer, CMHA Kelowna strives to create a workplace that respects and values all individuals, minimizes bias, and promotes the equity, diversity, and inclusion of different perspectives and ideas. At CMHA Kelowna that means welcoming diversity in mental health, race, ethnicity, and culture. It also means diverse abilities, age, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, gender identities, education, marital status, language, and physical self-expression. These values are embedded in the work CMHA Kelowna does every day.

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