Mental Health Worker

**Mental Health Worker**:
**Position Details**:
**Department**: Halton Geriatric Outreach Program
**Employee Type**: Regular, Part Time
**If Temporary, Number of Weeks**:
**Union**: OPSEU
**Openings Remaining**: 1

**Schedule**:
**Work Days**: Monday to Friday
**Time of Day**: Days
**Shift**: 7.5 hour
**This position may be scheduled at any of the following sites**: West 5th Campus (Hamilton Mountain)

**Application Dates**:
**Opening Date**: 23/02/23
**Closing Date**: 02/03/23 Open until filled

**Position Description**:
***
The primary responsibility of the Mental Health Worker - Geriatric will be to contribute to the achievement of the following mandated core program functions: intake and screening; specialized assessment; care planning, treatment, interventions, service planning and follow up; consultation, education and support; program and system development; and service and program evaluation. The position will respond to seniors and their families affected by late onset serious mental illness, dementia, addictions and/or responsive behaviours and/or seniors with long standing mental illness/addiction with age related complications. This is a mobile, outreach position serving seniors in a range of settings ( e.g. own home, LTCH, retirement home etc.). The Mental Health Worker position operates in a team framework and is operationalized in the context of the local and regional continuum of care that includes inpatient and outpatient services, primary care practitioners, long-term care facilities, and a range of other community services. The Mental Health Worker works in partnership and uses a systematic approach for the assessment of seniors with serious mental illness, addiction and/or behavioural issues and complex needs to stabilize, plan interventions and optimize the current situation.

**QUALIFICATIONS**
- Degree in nursing, social work, occupational therapy or a degree in related health or social science field (e.g. Gerontology, psychology) **OR** current registration in good standing with the College of Psychotherapists with a Degree in a health related discipline
- Minimum 3-5 years' experience in a comparable mobile, outreach role specifically working with the specific defined population (e.g. seniors with complex mental illness, addictions and/or behavioural issues), and their caregivers/providers
- Demonstrated advanced knowledge, experience and practiced skills in geriatric psychiatry community and Long Term Care Home consultation and follow up are critical
- Knowledge of PIECES frameworks and templates a strong asset
- Knowledge of the Gentle Persuasive Approach (GPA) for Dementia Care and Montessori programming for persons with dementia an asset and highly recommended
- Proven ability to perform comprehensive bio-psychosocial geriatric mental health assessment an establish rapport with target population ( e.g. seniors with complex mental illness and/or addiction) in various scenarios
- Demonstrated ability in conflict resolution and crisis intervention
- Demonstrated educational/presentation, facilitation and networking skills
- Understanding of basic use of psychotropic medications in the elderly, psychiatric diagnosis and formulation of a mental health assessment
- Knowledge of relevant geriatric mental health, addiction and behavioural assessment, interventions and strategies is critical
- Familiarity with standardized assessment tools (e.g. MMSE, MOCA, Cornell, etc.) used in a geriatric psychiatry assessment
- Knowledge of Long Term Care and Mental Health systems and related legislation
- Ability to work collaboratively and in partnership with a trans disciplinary team and other agencies/organizations in the community
- Physical ability and willingness to travel (e.g. be mobile) and work in various settings/environments throughout the day (e.g. community home, LTC facility, retirement home, rural, farm, etc)
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Proven ability to work with mínimal supervision and able to prioritize competing work demands
- Proven computer ability/knowledge is required ( e.g. typing assessments, voice recognition software and data entry)
- Current First Aid/CPR certification
- Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation to be used in course of employmentValid driver’s license and reliable transportation to be used in course of employment

**HOURS OF WORK**
Monday-Friday; days

**PLEASE NOTE**:
Vaccines (COVID-19 and others) are a requirement of the job unless you have an exemption on a medical ground pursuant to the Ontario Human Rights Code.

**_ St. Joe’s fosters an environment where we celebrate diversity, where teams reflect the diversity of the community in which we serve, enhancing the connection to patients, clients, community, and each other._**
- St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton (SJHH) is an equal opportunity employer and strives for equity, inclusiveness, and diversity in all our programs, practices, facilities, and people. We f