Mental Health Support Worker

**Posting date**: August 22, 2024

**Closing date**:Open until filled

**Schedule**: Varies

**Location**: Nanaimo

**Grid Level 11** - JJEP Wage Grid

**Reports to**: Assisted Living Programs Manager

**Please note**:This position is open to all qualified applicants and requires union membership.

Here at Island Crisis Care Society, as a Mental Health Support Worker, you have an opportunity to make a meaningful impact within our Recovery Program while providing flexible and rewarding employment within the Nanaimo community. We are seeking an exceptional individual whose qualifications and attributes align with the demands of this role. The Casual Mental Health Support Worker will partner with our Assisted Living Programs Manager supporting our Recovery Program in Nanaimo.

**Job Summary**:
Identifies and addresses risks and needs for clients and residents with severe mental illness, trauma, or substance use disorder. Develops short and long-term personal service plans and other interventions within ICCS policy framework to support clients or residents to live successfully in programs, residences, and the community. Plans and conducts individual and group counseling, provides support services including crisis intervention and skill-building, performs program-related housekeeping and maintenance tasks, and provides analysis of and reports on the effectiveness of services and activities.
- Possesses a high level of knowledge regarding substance use disorders and treatment, and is able to identify mental health disorders and social, emotional, and behavioral factors that impact a resident’s recovery.
- Experience providing structured recovery programs using a recognized recovery model such as the CHIME framework, the Canadian Guideline for the Clinical Management of High-Risk Drinking and Alcohol Use Disorder, etc., or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for recovery.
- Experience creating professional therapeutic relationships with residents while maintaining, modeling, and communicating healthy boundaries.
- Experience gathering histories and background information to support personal service planning, and proficient at collaborating with residents and staff and find resources and services that support resident’s goals for education, training, and skill development.
- Proficient in trauma-informed group facilitation, able to identify when group participants are experiencing deep emotional or traumatic distress, and skilled at managing discussions to minimize vicarious trauma and redirect residents who need more specialized or clinical support.
- Follows and practices protocols and procedures consistently and faithfully and maintains effective routines.
- Able to understand and contribute to the therapeutic culture of ICCS within their own position and team.

**Key Duties and Responsibilities**:

- Interviews clients to prepare histories and background information under the supervision of a Clinical Mental Health Specialist or a Program Manager and Participates in intake and discharge planning.
- Uses active listening, conflict resolution, motivational interviewing and similar methods to explore and resolve problems and risks, and provide relevant services for residents or clients.
- Identifies mental health disorders and social, emotional, and behavioral challenges of clients or residents and participates in personal service planning to share information and make recommendations related to goals for education, training, and skill development.
- Plans and implements developmental and educational interventions and activities to meet clients’ goals and needs including one-on-one and group based emotional and behaviour management, teaching coping techniques and adaptive strategies, and providing instruction and coaching in change strategies.
- Provides support services directly to clients or residents such as conflict resolution, short term crisis intervention, and skill building including interpersonal, intellectual, and practical skills.
- Recognizes and responds to potential emergency situations such as client’s aggressive behavior to preserve and ensure safety and security.
- Using a client centered approach, identifies social, economic, recreational, educational and vocational opportunities that could meet client’s or resident’s goals and communicates opportunities to them.
- Exhibits and models appropriate and desired behavior through one on one, group, and structured activities.
- Integrates support services and recreational activities to reinforce and strengthen life skill, social and interpersonal skills, and other goals and objectives identified in personal service plans.
- Reports on clients or residents progress and evaluates the effectiveness of applied strategies, techniques, and approaches and provides input to the Clinical Mental Health Specialist, Manager, or Directors for the development of better and more effective client services.
- Provides all required reports to meet regulatory a