Shelter Support Mental Health Clinician – 37.5 hours/week – Permanent

April 10th, 2025

Family Health Teams (FHT) use a patient-centered approach to primary care that brings together doctors, mental health clinicians, nurse practitioners, registered dietitians, registered nurses, registered practical nurses and pharmacists to coordinate the highest possible quality of care for patients- when they need it – as close to home as possible. FHTs, in collaboration with Family Health Organizations, are a key component of Ontario’s healthcare plan to reduce wait times, improve access to primary care and keep Ontarians healthy.

Overview

The position will be responsible for addressing all psychosocial service needs to stabilize clients in housing, reduce functional, health and mental health barriers, and promote recovery and community integration. This position will also focus on recovery-oriented community integration activities and interventions promoting housing stability, self-sufficiency, and overall wellness for all clients in the program. This position will work out of a variety of settings including office, homeless shelter and the community.

Responsibilities
Clinical:

1. Provide one-on-one counselling, as appropriate based on level of stabilization and client choice;
2. Coordinate mental health screening, referrals for psychiatric consultation, addiction resources, mental health supports and referrals to community resources;
3. Contribute to client development of high quality, relevant person-centred care plans with the goal of ensuring clients’ secure suitable long-term housing and housing retention;
4. Assist clients with knowledge and skill building with respect to activities of daily living;
5. Assist clients with identifying, building, and maintaining a support system and network;
6. Monitor and follow up on care plan implementation to ensure treatment modalities and supports chosen meet the changing needs of clients;
7. Advocate for clients in accessing and maintaining other support services.

Administrative:

1. Maintain and ensure timely, accurate and comprehensive clinical and activity record of each client contact including case notes and updated care plans, as completed by the entire support team;
2. Complete documentation required to facilitate care for the client (reports, referrals, forms, etc.);
3. Ensure completion of required documentation, such as SPDATs (Service Prioritization, Decision Assistance Tool);
4. Attendance at FHT Mental Health Clinician discipline meetings.

Educational:

1. Maintain current discipline specific standards of practice;
2. Establish and implement an annual plan for professional development in order to maintain evidence-informed clinical skills;
3. Participate in local educational presentations;
4. Access formal/informal supervision or peer consultation;
5. Maintain awareness and understanding of current Mental Health legislation and Privacy legislation;
6. Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to the community’s goal to eradicate chronic homelessness.

Other Related Duties:

1. Contribute to the team by performing related tasks as required;
2. Comply with all Privacy Legislation;
3. Demonstrate basic computer skills or willingness to learn;
4. Maintain registration with appropriate college or HPRAC.

Hours Of Work:
Hours of service are pre-established per employment contract and may require some evening work to meet patient needs. Any deviation from the established schedule shall not negatively impact upon the provision of service to the patient population.

Qualifications:

1. 3+ years clinical experience in the community, housing experience an asset;
2. Bachelor or Masters of Social Work or M.ED/MA in Counselling Psychology;
3. OCSWSSW registration or CRPO registration;
4. Additional training/experience also considered an asset:
1. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy;
2. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy;
3. Trauma Informed Approach;
4. Comfort level and experience working with issues across a broad spectrum;
5. Other degrees will be considered; however, you must belong to a related professional college.

Skills And Abilities:

1. Flexibility to meet individual client demands;
2. Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
3. Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with patients, staff, physicians and the community;
4. Ability to work independently and use initiative and good judgment when performing duties;
5. Ability to maintain confidentiality and impartiality;
6. Capacity to adapt quickly to a fast paced, dynamic work environment;
7. High degree of accuracy and attention to detail;
8. High degree of critical thinking skills;
9. Proven participatory work style; ability to work independently and with a team;
10. Demonstrated commitment to continued education;
11. Demonstrated good attendance with ability to maintain this standard.

Additional Benefits Of Joining The Peterborough Family Health Team:

1. A provincial leader among Family Health Teams in Ontario;
2. Excellent team/office environment;
3. Multidisciplinary team expertise;
4. Organizational commitment to work-life balance;
5. HOOPP Pension Plan;
6. Optional Health and Dental Plan;
7. Life/Disability Insurance Plan;
8. Health Care Spending Account;
9. EAP.

The Peterborough Family Health Team are leaders in advocating for full vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and its variants, for persons who are medically able to receive the vaccination. All applicants should know that PFHT employees are expected to support this position.

Interested candidates can email their resume and cover letter to resumes@peterboroughfht.com by the application deadline.

1. Application deadline: May 5, 2025;
2. Hours: 37.5 hrs/ week, Monday to Friday;
3. Expected start date: June 16, 2025;
4. Job type: Permanent;
5. Salary: $71,234 to $77,844 per year based on fulltime equivalent.

The Peterborough Family Health Team is actively committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourages applications from all qualified candidates. The Peterborough Family Health Team offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities in its recruitment processes. We thank all applicants for their interest; however only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted.