Mental Health Response Worker - MOST

Mental Health Response Worker - MOST

Direct Service - (OPSEU)

Full-Time, Contract (Ending: March 31, 2025)

Multi-Site Accountability; St. Thomas (Elgin Zone)

- Application Deadline: December 26, 2024 -

The Mental Health Response Worker (MHRW) is responsible for working in a dedicated capacity supporting the St. Thomas Police Service (STPS), Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Aylmer Police Service (APS) by providing a mobile response to individuals experiencing a mental health or addictions related crisis at the point of time of direct contact with police. The MHRW will occupy office space at the reporting police headquarters and respond with patrol officers to assist with de-escalation, diversion from medical intervention where possible, and facilitation of transition to acute care where required to help ensure positive outcomes for the individual.

Consider revitalizing your career and making a difference in your community by joining our team!

Successful candidates must have a Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) completed within the last six months. In order to avoid delays in beginning a position, interested applicants who are in need of a PVSC are encouraged to apply for one as soon as possible.

WHAT WE'RE OFFERING:

• What you'll be making - Starting rate for this role is $29.57 per hour (Level 1 of the Direct Service, Regulated Professional Grid); Successful external applicants will start at Level 1, with grid progression based on seniority up to Level 8, $36.71 per hour.
• When you'll work - 70 hours over a two-week period.
• What your benefits will be - You will receive 9% in lieu of health benefits.
• Your pension plan – Eligible for immediate, optional enrolment in the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP).

HOW YOU WILL BE MAKING A DIFFERENCE:

• Work directly alongside police officers, including going out on patrol as needed, and to be ready to respond during working hours to assist in the de-escalation of crises.
• Complete crisis and mental health status assessments with individuals who come into contact with police and where the involvement of the MHRW is requested by an officer.
• Deliver support to individuals who have come into contact with police or to their family members in a safe, ethical and sensitive manner.
• Employ training, knowledge and expertise in the de-escalation of crisis and, where possible, to help prevent incarceration or hospitalization as an outcome of police involvement.
• Complete additional mental health or addictions screening, comprehensive needs assessments, or service prioritization evaluations where appropriate to inform and facilitate community service referrals.
• Facilitate referrals for further specialized or formal assessment.
• Facilitate access to secondary healthcare services where voluntarily agreed to by an individual as part of an intervention or upon enforcement under the Mental Health Act, liaising directly with health professionals at St. Thomas - Elgin General Hospital to ease the transition from police custody to acute mental health care.
• Make service recommendations for individuals who come into contact with police or for their family members, and to facilitate referral processes where indicated.

Support to Officers and Family Members of Victims of Accident or Crime

• To act as a resource for STPS, OPP and APS employees, working closely with the STPS Peer to Peer Support Team to monitor and identify incidents that may suggest a member is in need of peer-to-peer, employee assistance, or other support.
• Where requested by officers, to participate in death notifications and link individuals to victim services or other supports as required.

Record Maintenance, Confidentiality, and Testimony

• To maintain scrupulous and accurate recording of all police incidents arising in the course of the work, as well as any follow-up completed.
• To adhere to the privacy policies of, and privacy legislation respecting, STPS, OPP, APS, and CMHA collection and disclosure of information.
• To compile documentation such as affidavits or will-say statements where required by STPS, OPP, APS and CMHA, or where compelled by the court.
• To testify professionally and accurately at hearings, trials, and such other judicial or quasi-judicial proceedings as may be compelled from time to time, arising from the nature of the work.

Professional, Program, and Community Development

• To establish and maintain liaisons and cooperative working relationships with STPS, OPP, APS, Victim Services Elgin, St. Thomas – Elgin General Hospital (STEGH) and other social or health service providers.
• To monitor and report on quality of services provided, identifying deficiencies and advocating positive change.
• To participate in committees, working groups, or Situation Tables as needed to promote effective service coordination and collaboration.
• To keep abreast of current principles, best practices, standards, and models of mental health service provision through active pursuit of professional development, training, and networking opportunities.
• To compile and maintain program statistics as required by CMHA or STPS, OPP, or APS, and to provide narrative detail or write-ups when requested, in order to support future grant or funding proposals.
• To represent CMHA, STPS, OPP and APS professionally and positively in the community.

General Duties

• To adhere strictly to health and safety provisions put in place by STPS, OPP, APS, and/or CMHA, and to assume an active and diligent role in contributing to a safe and healthy workplace.
• To respect the authority of the STPS, OPP, APS Officer, Inspector, or other STPS, OPP, APS staff person assigned to functionally direct the work performed as part of this role.
• To meet and communicate regularly with the CMHA Program Manager to discuss attendance and scheduling, training needs, professional development, clinical service provision, work performance, and CMHA operational changes.
• To attend work regularly and on-time, notifying both the Program Manager the STPS, OPP and/or APS functional supervisor of any absences or tardiness as soon as possible.
• To comply with CMHA policies, standards, guidelines, and procedures, as well as STPS, OPP and APS policies and procedures as they apply directly to the position or the workspace.
• To report any deficiencies in equipment provided by STPS, OPP and APS immediately to the functional supervisor or designate.

24/7 Reach Out Addiction and Mental Health Crisis Line responsibilities as assigned:

• All Crisis Services Staff are to provide support to individuals through Reach Out.
• Provide crisis intervention services and supports on Reach Out via phone, text and web chat.
• Respond to voicemails from Reach Out.
• Establish a therapeutic relationship with individuals accessing Reach Out, and work with individuals to address their immediate concerns.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO APPLY:

Police Vulnerable Sector Check

Successful candidates must have a Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) completed within the last six months. In order to avoid delays in beginning a position, interested applicants who are in need of a PVSC are encouraged to apply for one as soon as possible.

We require the following qualifications:

• Post-secondary education in a related field (primary proof of credentials will be required during the hiring process i.e. original degree/diploma or official transcript)
• Valid Driver’s License
• Access to a vehicle
• Current, clear Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC)
• Ability to attend work regularly

We prefer the following qualifications:

• Currently registered and in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, the College of Nurses of Ontario, the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, or the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario.
• A minimum of 3 years' direct client support experience in the community mental health sector, with preference given to applicants who also have experience working with individuals with addictions or problematic substance use.
• Extensive knowledge of serious mental illness as well as trends as best practices in the delivery of support services to individuals accessing mental health supports.
• Knowledge of psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery model.
• Bilingual both official languages, preferred; préférence sera accordée aux candidats qui sont compétents dans les deux langues officielles du Canada.

INTERNAL APPLICANTS: To be considered as an internal applicant, current staff members are reminded to apply using their @cmhatv.ca or @slwar.ca email address.

Get your application in by – December 26, 2024:

Our recruitment process allows us to learn about your previous work experience, your qualifications and your commitment to fulfilling our vision. While we appreciate the interest of all applicants, only those individuals being considered for a position will be personally contacted by someone from the interview team.

We welcome and encourage applications from all members of our community including persons of any gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation, persons with disabilities, Indigenous persons, and members of visible minorities. If you require accommodations related to a disability at any point during the recruitment process, please contact Human.Resources@cmhatv.ca