Mental Health and Addictions Worker (Housing Department) – 2 Positions – Full Time

Context

Are you an individual with a passion for helping Indigenous community members on their healing journey? Do you have experience integrating Indigenous cultural practices and harm reduction techniques into your work as a Mental Health and Addictions Worker? Are you able to advocate for clients and ensure that they are receiving the timely and quality of care they deserve? If so, this opportunity is for you!

The Role

As an Indigenous frontline worker with a post secondary degree in Addictions and Mental Health fields (both are preferred), combined with an understanding of how to access treatment, mental health and social supports as well as navigate a complex health care system, you will want to consider this opportunity.

To meet these responsibilities, the Mental Health and Addictions Worker will:

• Provide intensive case management, holding a primary caseload of 30 clients.
• Provide outreach mental health and addiction support services to homeless or at risk of being homeless population through a harm reduction approach;
• Provide crisis intervention.
• Establish working relationships with agencies that support trauma, addiction and/or mental health needs.
• Participate in regular chart reviews and case conferences.
• Provide assessment, referral, support and advocacy services within a case management framework.
• Provide one-on-one and group support and education.
• Provide clients with treatment options and support the client throughout the process.
• Assist clients to resolve social issues by helping them navigate systems and provide referrals when necessary.
• Liaise with other agencies and services to better address the addiction and mental health needs of clients and improve the quality of available services.
• Conduct outreach. (street, shelter, encampment and clients’ homes)
• Maintain appropriate and confidential records of all clients.
• Complete reporting and other administrative requirements.
• Participate and collaborate in data collection and analysis as required.

Qualifications

• A post-secondary degree in a Mental Health field with specialization in Addictions; or experience working with substance misuse, abuse, or dependency.
• Must have a thorough knowledge of treatment options and other social services.
• Client service oriented.
• Harm-reduction approach.
• Good interpersonal and counselling skills; able to work flexibly with a variety of population groups and treatment settings.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with Indigenous people, including a sound knowledge and understanding of the issues Indigenous impact on their mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health in contemporary society.
• Demonstrated cultural competency in working with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities with the ability to offer culturally appropriate services.
• A nonjudgmental, inclusive, and positive attitude towards people who are experiencing problematic substance use, and other issues.
• Ability and skills to recognize and manage the signs of a client in crisis.
• A demonstrated ability to exercise strong decision-making skills and deal with unpredictable situations.
• Criminal Reference Check for working with vulnerable people required.

Salary

Range $60,000 – $65,000 per year + Benefits

Why work for us

You would be a part of a collaborative and supportive work environment. Additionally, you would have access to:

• Collaborative and Supportive Work Environment;
• Comprehensive Group Health and Dental Insurance Coverage
• A Defined Benefit Pension Plan/ Employee Pension Plan with an equal contribution by Wabano (HOOPP)
• An Employee Assistance Program
• Four (4) weeks paid vacation time

Application Details

Please submit your application to jobs@wabano.com. Application materials include a cover letter and resume. This opportunity will remain open until filled, so tell us your story early!

Wabano is an inclusive and equitable organization, encouraging applications from qualified candidates, including persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities. The position is open to all qualified applicants, although preference will be given to candidates of Indigenous ancestry (please self-identify in your application).

Wabano is committed to providing employment accommodation in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. If contacted for an employment opportunity or interviewing, please advise if you require accommodation.

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.