Community-based, Mental Health and Addictions

**Employment Opportunity - Casual**: Community-Based, Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Response Worker **Location**: Windsor, Nova Scotia **Salary Range**: $27/hour-$32/hour, Casual On-Call, 12 hours Shifts, must be able to work flexible shifts including some evenings, nights and weekends, Benefits. **Employment Term**: November 4, 2024 - March 31st, 2025, with possibility of extension (Project is funded into 2027) **Reports To**: Project Director, CIAO Coordinator POSSE - CIAO is 24/7/365, community based mental health, substance use and housing related crisis response model operated by Peer Outreach Support Services & Education, sponsored by The Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre. POSSE - CIAO operates across West Hants Municipality. Successful applicants will have: - A broad understanding of intersecting factors impacting an individual’s mental health and well-being including the social determinants of health, trauma, poverty and homelessness; - A demonstrated capacity to provide crisis intervention and utilize de-escalation strategies and interventions; - A demonstrated ability to provide suicide risk assessment and interventions; - A demonstrated ability to work with issues related to substance use and concurrent disorders within a harm reduction framework; - A demonstrated understanding of issues related to involvement in the Mental Health and Justice Systems; - A demonstrated ability to adapt interventions to ensure equity, access, and accommodation; - A demonstrated commitment to working through an Anti-Racist, Anti-Oppression, Trauma informed and Gender Based Analysis lens - A demonstrated ability to provide and adapt interventions to a diverse groups including Persons with Disabilities, Black, Indigenous, Racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+ and Neurodiverse communities; - An extensive working knowledge of community supports available across Nova Scotia; - A demonstrated capability to be flexible and to work under pressure; - A demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team; - A demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with clients, community partners and service providers and make appropriate use of resources; - A demonstrated understanding of issues related to involvement in the Mental Health and Justice Systems; - A current and working knowledge of relevant legislation, including the Mental Health Act and I.P.T.A.; Primary duties and responsibilities: - Provide timely and appropriate telephone, web-based and in-person crisis intervention to individuals and families including assessment, de-escalation and conflict mediation when needed; - Provide transportation support to shelter or community supports when needed. This may include accompaniment in crisis vehicle; - Exercise sound judgement in crisis and/or emergency situations, requesting support of Emergency Services if required; - Provide suicide intervention if required; - Provide follow-up crisis management and post crisis contact. This may include referral to substance use and wellness supports, housing support and referral, psychiatric assessment where indicated and wellness checks; - Work collaboratively with clients to identify, develop and fulfill the goals they identify as meaningful and relevant; - Work collaboratively with colleagues and leadership and within a team environment; - Work collaboratively with community partners including mental health, substance use, geriatric crisis and mental health and justice initiatives in order to maximize support of the client’s ease of movement through systems and help to create pathways to recovery goals; - Arrange follow-up, linkages and referrals to appropriate resources; - Support clients with system navigation; - Actively participate in POSSE’s data collection and analysis by documenting client interactions as per established policy and protocols; - Participate in team meetings, reflective practice sessions, internal and external trainings, as required; - This position will involve working a rotating shift schedule that will include 12 hour days, evenings, overnights, and weekend shifts. - Work will include travel in the community to locations across rural service geographies. - We are particularly interested in hearing from individuals who represent the cultural diversity of Nova Scotia including, Black and Indigenous, LGBTQI2S+ individuals and those with lived experience of the mental health system. **Qualifications**: - A combination of education and experience - A strong understanding of harm reduction policies and practices - Able to maintain confidentiality - Strong ability to work from a human rights, gender-based analysis, harm reduction, and anti-oppression lens - Ability to work independently and in a team environment - Ability to communicate effectively and have high level interpersonal skills - Multi-tasking skills - Sensitivity to various barriers experienced by marginalized individuals - Must have a valid driver's license - Work shift