Mental Health Support Worker

Are you a compassionate and energetic individual seeking a fulfilling career? Consider Nova Scotia’s Disability Support Program Sector. Igility/Health Association Nova Scotia is partnering with the Department of Community Services to recruit for Disability Support positions across Nova Scotia._

The Disability Support Program Sector fosters individual choice, social inclusion, enhances quality of life, and offers the opportunity to provide skills needed to help individuals live in their communities. If you want to be part of a vibrant community and you are interested in making a real difference - we want you

**Metro Community Housing Association** is a non-profit, community-based agency that provides support to persons living with mental illness. MCHA operates residential settings throughout Halifax and Dartmouth under the umbrella of Department of Community Services and has grown to 15 locations following the opening of our newest home in 2021. Established in 1974, MCHA manages small option homes, group homes, complex care homes, a community transition house, and residential care facility. We also offer supported apartment services to those participants living independently.

**WHY MCHA**

We hire and support amazing humans. MCHA promotes an environment that is inclusive, respectful, and supportive of diversity. Our agency offers a rewarding career in the human services field, where employees can develop meaningful relationships with participants and make a positive impact in their daily lives.

**POSITION OVERVIEW**

We are hiring multiple Complex Care Casual Support Workers to join our two homes in Dartmouth. The Complex Care Casuals will support participants who have multifaceted mental health and behaviour needs. This role is responsible for effective and appropriate verbal and physical crisis interventions. Our work schedule operates on a 24/7 basis; staff in these homes work mainly 12-hour shifts, rotating between days and overnight awake shifts. If you are someone who maintains resiliency during challenging times, you might be the right fit for our team.

**Areas of Responsibility**:

- Participant’s emotional and physical wellbeing
- Team support and safety
- Implementation of programming and behaviour plans
- Facilitation of community access and meaningful community activities
- Collaboration with support professionals
- Encouraging family/other support network involvement
- Verbal and physical crisis intervention, including physical containments
- Medication management
- Providing personal care as needed

**QUALIFICATIONS**:

- Diploma in Human Services **OR** post-secondary education in Psychology, Sociology, or other human services required
- Minimum 6 months-experience supporting individuals with disabilities and long-term mental health concerns required
- Demonstrated ability to support individuals using a trauma-informed, humanistic approach
- Must be willing and able to follow through on a certified physical crisis intervention model
- Must be able to work a rotational schedule, with awake overnight shifts
- Must successfully complete mandatory training, including physical containment training, as a condition of employment

**Additional Assets**:

- Experience supporting persons with Borderline Personality Disorder and/or Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
- Demonstrated experience collaborating with a multi-disciplinary team
- Demonstrated experience implementing support plans
- Demonstrated experience facilitating community inclusion
- Access to a reliable vehicle and the appropriate level of insurance for transporting participants

**Personal Attributes**:

- Strong communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal
- Well developed de-escalation strategies
- Compassionate, supportive, and empathetic
- Critical thinker, reflective, and calm under pressure
- Assertive self-starter with effective coping skills
- Ability to adapt to participant needs, with solution focused problem-solving
- Views constructive feedback as an opportunity to learn and grow
- Understands and implements direction and instruction, including specific behaviour modification approaches
- Willingness to change their approach rather than change the participant
- Understanding that behaviours can get worse before they get better

**CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT**:

- Clear criminal record check and vulnerable sector check
- Standard First Aid/CPR certification (Level C)
- Food Handlers training
- Ability to promptly complete ‘Phase 1’ complex care training, including in-person and online sessions with external trainers
- Ability to complete core competency training, recertifications, and other courses as required during course of employment
- **Proof of full vaccination, in accordance with the “Nova Scotia COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Protocol in High-Risk Settings” order**

The starting rate for this position is $17.57/hour, plus 4% vacation pay. Once all ‘Phase 1’ mandatory training has been successfully completed,