Mental Health and Addictions Worker

Overview: Provide social and wellness support to a diverse population with complex needs. Complex issues may include substance misuse, mental health issues, neurodevelopmental disabilities, criminal justice involvement, and challenging behaviours. Assist clients to enhance quality of life with activities of daily living and the development of life skills while reintegrating into their community.

Job Summary: The Mental Health and Addictions Worker provides in-reach/outreach community-based support services, assists in substance use and/or mental health treatment referrals, provides life skills training, coaching, advocacy, and advice to a population of individuals with substance use/addiction issues with or without a mental illness that have experienced significant challenges related to poverty and homelessness as well as limited access or engagement in with the traditional system of care. In this position, you are the first to respond to and assess emergency situations, particularly overdose response.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities:

• Respond to community, partner, and other inquiries and concerns respectfully and professionally as a representative of Sooke Shelter Society.
• Act as a first responder to overdoses and other health emergencies occurring at the site, administer Naloxone, CPR, and other first aid, as necessary.
• Respond to and deescalate clients who are displaying aggressive and hostile behaviours.
• Communicate any risk to the rest of the team, and management.
• Perform building interior and exterior rounds and monitor for safety or cleanliness issues.
• Engage clients in day-to-day routines, stay in informal contact, and develop informal opportunities to assist as needed.
• Take steps to resolve, mitigate, or mediate interpersonal conflict between clients.
• Review and record case plans including clients' progress and discuss related concerns with

other team members and management to resolve identified problems and move towards defined objectives.

• Advocate for client's needs, make referrals, and collaborate with other team members, emergency services, professionals, resources, and community organizations.
• Liaise with clinics, physicians, and other community health resources which clients may be accessing.
• Coach and/or assist clients in the development/maintenance of abilities relating to activities of daily living, self-care, crisis management strategies, maintaining a support network, and other life skill training including support with meal preparation, cleaning, garbage removal, plunging toilets, other household management tasks, budgeting, grocery shopping and other life skills.

· Engaging participants using a trauma-informed, person-centered approach to support emotional, social, physical, and mental health growth and stability through individual interactions and skill building, facilitation of group activities and meetings, conflict mediation, and crisis intervention.

· Encourage clients to make use of harm reduction supplies such as using clean needles, carrying Naloxone, and using condoms, etc.

• Encourage clients to follow through with case plans such as keeping appointments, etc. which may include transporting clients.
• Document all pertinent client information accurately and in a timely basis in the shelter database including client contacts, case management, advocacy, client progress, and referral appointments.
• Ensure flow of critical information through various means, including appropriate documentation, database entries, intakes and bring forward issues and occurrences that take place on shift.
• Ensure all communication is up to professional standards and includes the appropriate amount of detail, while adhering to the Sooke Shelter Society's policies covering privacy and confidential information.
• Follow safe work procedures when handling biohazardous materials and illicit substances.
• Participate as a team member with other staff to ensure a safe and caring environment, being mindful to report emergency issues, attend meetings, work collaboratively and respectfully with staff and clients, and share knowledge and information.
• Assist clients moving into housing.
• Leads and facilitates daily mental health programs through art, music, exercise, recovery programs and other health and community building programs.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings and training sessions.
• Act within the spirit and intent of the Society's policy and procedures.
• Perform other relevant job duties as required.

Qualifications

Education, Training, & Experience:

• Diploma in a related human/social service field.
• At least one (1) year of recent related experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

· Possess a Class 5 Driver's license

• Occupational First Aid Level 1 Certificate.
• Naloxone Training.
• Foodsafe.
• Managing Hostile Interactions and/or Non-violent Crisis Intervention or similar training.
• Criminal Record Clearance for the Vulnerable Sector prior to commencement of employment.
• Proof of COVID-19 immunization is a requirement.

Skills/Abilities:

• Basic computer skills with a working knowledge of Microsoft 365.
• Excellent decision-making, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills when working independently and during a crisis.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries with both clients and colleagues
• Demonstrate an understanding of how racism, intergenerational trauma, and diversity impact how clients interact with service providers.
• Demonstrated knowledge/familiarity with related resources such as mental health systems and related agencies, welfare system, and addiction support agencies.
• Demonstrated suitability to work with adults facing multiple barriers and presenting challenging behaviours in a diverse environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse population.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated physical ability to perform the duties of the job.
• Demonstrated ability to work with others effectively respectfully and collaboratively.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize work.
• Demonstrated ability to understand and maintain both client and co-worker boundaries.
• Demonstrated ability to apply and follow safe work procedures.
• Physically able to do the work including standing, walking, climbing stairs, for extended periods of time, lifting weight exceeding 20 pounds.
• Physically capable of completing duties outlined in first aid training including kneeling, placing body in recovery position, administering Naloxone, and giving breaths/compressions as required.
• Physically capable of managing potentially aggressive situations and using judgement and alertness to redirect volatile clients or guests.

These positions require union membership.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $25.95-$29.76 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Work Location: In person