Mental Health Worker - Mental Health Services

Mental Health Workers

Mental Health Workers provide up to six months of community-based mental health support, within a person-centered and multi-disciplinary approach. The primary goals of the service are to improve mental health symptoms and daily functioning through supportive counseling and best practices in mental health care. Face-to-face client services will be provided throughout the counties of Haliburton, Peterborough, Northumberland, and the City of Kawartha Lakes. This is a full-time temporary contract ending October 2026 and is based in Lindsay, Ontario.

Location: Lindsay

Status: Full-Time Temporary - Contract end October 2026

Wage: $29.70 to $31.13 per hour, plus 6% vacation pay, health and dental benefits, optional pension

Key responsibilities:

• Complete a comprehensive assessment of the client's need.
• Assess risk, develop strategies to mitigate risks, and develop safety plan where needed.
• Assist with the identification of support needs and work collaboratively to develop treatment goals.
• Includes client's identified supports in a treatment plan.
• Provide support with system navigation including health, housing, financial, legal, education, and employment.
• Advocate and negotiate on behalf of clients, when necessary.
• Complete crisis plans and ensure communication of the plan with identified supports and community partners as required.
• Facilitate referrals to identified community resources.
• Organize and participate in case coordination, liaison, and service planning in collaboration with the client.
• Monitor and evaluate progress of treatment plans.
• Work with other C.M.H.A. staff/programs to support clients.
• Use specialized interventions and counseling approaches, within a recovery philosophy, according to evidence-based best practices established for C.B.T., M.I., D.B.T., brief narrative therapy, trauma-informed care, and concurrent disorders.
• Facilitate groups as assigned to clients in the program and other C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R. programs, as required.
• Provide mental health information/education to individuals, caregivers, and other service providers.

Documentation:

• Complete formal written rationales and assessments evidencing recommendations/referrals for interventions.
• Complete administrative tasks – mental health assessments, treatment plans, pre and post measures, case notes, timesheets, expense claims, time off requests.
• Document and maintain client records.
• Proper entry of demographic and statistical data.

Other activities:

• Liaise with community partners.
• Participate in community outreach activities through the development of collaborative partnerships, education, and visits to community agencies and services.

Performance management and professional development:

• Participate cooperatively in the agency performance management process/system.
• Stay current on relevant legislation and best practices, current research, policies, and procedures.
• Participate in ongoing professional development and mandatory training.
• Actively engage and participate in the supervisory process.

Health and safety– worker responsibilities:

Work in compliance with the Occupational Health And Safety Act, applicable regulations, and all organizational health and safety requirements and procedures to ensure the health and safety of clients, staff/colleagues, volunteers, and students

Client safety:

Adhere to C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R. client safety programs including program policies as well as infection control and prevention procedures. In partnership with clients, family members, and fellow staff, maintain open lines of communication to assist the organization in identifying and achieving quality outcomes for client safety.

Other duties as assigned:

• Attend, and participate in team/staff meetings, and all-staff meetings as required.
• Participate in agency quality improvement activities, e.g. accreditation projects, committee work, special events.
• Participate in quality improvement activities at the team/program level.
• Participate in external committees as required.
• Duties may change from time to time.

Requirements of the position:

A. Education and training:

Successful completion of a bachelor's degree in the social/health science disciplines is preferred. A relevant post-secondary diploma combined with significant, demonstrated experience may be considered.

We recognize that mandatory training before hire is an asset, however, successful completion of the training applicable to this role shall be a requirement for continued employment in this position:

• Health and Safety Training
• Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (A.S.I.S.T.)
• Verbal Intervention Training
• Ontario Common Assessment of Need (O.C.A.N).
• Client Record Management System (C.R.M.S.)
• First Aid/C.P.R.

Assets with regard to this position:

• Master's degree in Social/Health services
• Training in the following: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy or other forms of emotional regulation support, Motivational Interviewing, Concurrent Disorders, Trauma-Informed Therapy

B. Related and relevant experience:

• Minimum of 3 years' experience in the delivery of case management/community support to clients, especially within the mental health services field
• Demonstrated understanding of the crisis theory and recovery model, crisis intervention, mental illness, psychiatric medication, and the Mental Health Act
• Demonstrated ability to apply a person-centered, trauma and concurrent-informed approach to care.
• Demonstrated conflict resolution and crisis intervention abilities.
• Proven assessment skills, sound judgment, and decision-making skills
• Demonstrated observation and active listening abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively with the Crisis team and Management.
• Proven interpersonal and communication skills.
• Demonstrated computer and organizational skills.

Preferred experience:

• Intermediate to advanced minus proficiency in French

C. Competencies:

Refer to C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R Competency Matrix

D. Other:

• Valid driver's license
• Automobile in good repair and insurance coverage as required by agency policy
• Satisfactory police records search
• Satisfactory references
• Lived expertise with a mental health concern or addiction, either personally or with a family member is an asset.
• Proof of receipt of full COVID-19 vaccine
• Must have reliable technology and internet access to be able to work from personal residence, if required.

Working conditions:

• Work in an office setting, community, and clients' homes.
• Work directly with individuals experiencing mental health concerns/crises including serious mental illness and/or dual diagnosis and/or addictions.
• Work directly with individuals living in poverty who may live with a serious mental illness and/or dual diagnosis and/or addictions.
• Required to work flexible hours, with some evening work.
• There are multiple competing demands that require time management skills, the ability to be flexible, and to prioritize.
• Work in a stressful environment where there are mental and emotional demands, there is a high volume of work as well as unpredictable work, and life-threatening situations for others such as instances of suicide.
• Transport clients in personal vehicle.
• Work from locations other than CMHA HKPR offices, such as a personal residence, as required.