Mental Health Worker

**About this position**:
**This position is based out of Haliburton, ON. Travel to and throughout the Haliburton region is required for this position.**

The Mental Health Worker (M.H.W.) is an experienced mental health clinician and an integral member of a multidisciplinary Mobile Crisis Intervention Team (M.C.I.T.) in close partnership with designated police force detachments. The M.H.W. reports directly to their CMHA HKPR manager. The M.H.W is deployed by police personnel or dispatch to perform crisis assessments, short-term follow up and support to individuals in crisis who may be experiencing mental health issues. First contact with clients is usually in tandem with police officers attending police calls, where the MHW’s consultation with police and individuals will determine a therapeutic course of action for crisis intervention and response. After the initial contact, follow up consultation, support and navigation are provided to individuals, families, caregivers, community professionals and partners on a short term basis, to promote stabilization, service delivery access and collaboration.

**About our Organization**:
When you work at C.M.H.A. Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge Branch, you are working for an agency that touches the lives of more than 15,000 people every year. You can take pride in the fact that you are part of a team that is helping some of the most vulnerable people in our society lead more fulfilling lives. You are also building a better community by contributing to C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R.’s efforts to combat the stigma associated with mental illness and raise awareness about the importance of mental health.

**Diversity Statement**
C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R. values diversity and inclusion. As a service provider, an employer and a community partner, we strive to always be respectful and sensitive to race, culture, ethnicity, gender, age, abilities, religion, gender identity and sexual orientation.

**Vaccine Policy Statement**
C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R. will require all new staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof of vaccination status before the first day of employment. For this purpose, an individual is defined as fully immunized equal or greater than 14 days after receiving their second dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series or their first dose of a one-dose COVID-19 vaccine series that is approved by Health Canada.

**Key Responsibilities**
- Working at/out of a police detachment, respond to police calls and direction to attend in crisis situations
- Attend with Police Officers at police calls involving individuals who may be experiencing mental health issues or are in crisis
- Provide crisis intervention services to de-escalate immediate situation
- Utilize appropriate therapeutic approaches when dealing with potential aggression
- Immediate assessment of the individual’s mental health needs and, assessment of risk pertaining to the client’s mental health status
- Collaborate with Police, hospital, shelter, 4CC and other crisis intervention services to support the person and family to address immediate mental health needs
- Work from a trauma-informed and concurrent-disorder-informed approach
- Formulate and develop support/follow -up plan for individual and care providers to
- Provide brief case management support and services for clients in their place of residence, and in the community
- Respond to requests from police for follow up and community linkages
- Assess, implement and develop evidence-based, best-practice short term interventions based on principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing, to promote improved psychological function and recovery
- Advocate and make appropriate referrals, with consent, for needed services and supports as identified in the client’s service plan
- Provide mental health, developmental disorder, physical health and concurrent disorder information to individuals, care givers and other service providers
- Stay current on relevant legislation, best practices, treatment approaches, basic psychopharmacology and agency policies and procedures

**Requirements of the Position**:
A: Education and Training

**Completed university degree in the social work or health science disciplines.**

We recognize that mandatory training before hire is an asset, however, successful completion of the training applicable to this role shall be requirements for continued employment in this position:

- Health and Safety Training (including but not limited to the following): G.H.S. (formerly known as W.H.M.I.S), I.P.A.C.,Workplace Violence, A.O.D.A.,
- A.S.I.S.T.,
- N.V.C.I.
- O.C.A.N.
- C.R.M.S.
- First Aid/C.P.R.

Assets with regard to this position:

- Completion of a Master’s degree is preferred, e.g. Masters of Social Work
- Formal education in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Formal education in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy or other forms of emotional regulation support
- Formal education