Community Mental Health Worker - Youth Huddle

Position Overview

The Community Mental Health Worker (CMHW) is a regulated health provider who provides mental health services to residents of Southern Health-Santé Sud (SH-SS). As a member of an interdisciplinary team, the incumbent provides a broad range of mental health services to clients and their families that are based on principles of recovery, empowerment, and self-determination. Services are evidence-based, time-limited, goal-oriented, change-focused interventions, therapies, and/or consultations that are based on informed consent, voluntary participation and within individual capacity. The CMHW requires a comprehensive knowledge base about trauma informed psychiatric care, evidence-based therapies and the ability to possess and integrate into practice crisis management and suicide intervention skills.

Community Mental Health Worker - Youth Huddle specific duties: The Youth & Young Adult Community Mental Health Worker (CMHW) provides accessible, recovery-oriented mental health and addictions support to youth and young adults (12-29 years) experiencing mild to moderate mental health and/or substance use concerns. Working within Southern Health-Santé Sud and the Youth Huddle Integrated Youth Services (IYS) framework, supported by United Way, the CMHW delivers early intervention and short-term supports in collaboration with health system, community, and social service partners. The role is grounded in youth-centred, trauma-informed, and culturally safe practice, with a strong focus on reducing barriers to care and supporting continuity across services.

The CMHW works to the full scope of practice and engages in ongoing education and maintains competency congruent with SH-SS policies, professional standards of practice, the appropriate college and code of ethics and the Regulated Health Professions Act. The position functions in a manner that is consistent with the mission, vision and values; and the policies of SH-SS.

This text is available in French upon request/Ce profil de poste est disponible en français sur demande. E-mail [email protected].

Experience

• Minimum of two (2) years’ experience providing evidence-based mental health and addictions counselling to youth and adults. 3-5 years preferred.
• Advanced level of practice in clinical assessment and treatment models including individual (youth and adult), family and group therapy interventions.
• Experience in providing clinical assessment and case formulation, mental status examinations, psychotropic medications, psychopathology, substance use and dependency, individual/group/systems intervention.
• Experience and training in trauma informed care, Brief Treatment models, Motivational Interviewing, CBT, DBT, etc.

Education (Degree/Diploma/Certificate)

• Graduate of an accredited post-secondary education in Health-Related Social Sciences (e.g. BSW, BScMH, OT, MACP, BScPN, BN, RPN). Other relevant educational qualifications and experience may be considered.
• Certificate in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills (ASIST) or equivalent.
• Masters degree an asset - qualified as a Psychiatric Nurse, Occupational Therapist (MOT), Clinical Social Worker (MSW), Family Therapist (MFT), Masters of Counselling Psychology (MACP); or equivalent.
• Enrollment and/or completion of the Applied Counselling Certificate Program: Specialization in Addictions or its equivalent considered an asset.

Certification/Licensure/Registration

• Active license and registration to practice as required by professional association and provincial legislation.
• Requires a valid Class 5 driver’s license, an all-purpose insured vehicle and liability insurance of at least $1,000,000.

Qualifications and Skills

• Advanced mental health psychosocial assessment skills and knowledge of appropriate evidence informed therapeutic counseling models, approaches and interventions.
• Knowledge and understanding of the range of mental disorders, substance use disorders and co-occurring presentations as per DSM V, including corresponding evidence-informed psycho-therapeutic interventions for both youth and adults.
• Knowledge and awareness of the unique needs of 2SLGBTQ+ population.
• Knowledge of:
  • Primary Care principles.
  • Child and adolescent development, stages of family development, system theory and the biopsychosocial model of mental health and addictions.
  • Child and adolescent development, and mental health and addictions issues in childhood and adolescence including suicide risk assessment and risk management.
• Demonstrated:
  • Understanding of Substance Use, Abuse and Dependency.
  • Crisis intervention and bereavement skills.
  • Familiarity with psychotropic medications commonly prescribed for acute mental disorders and substance use disorders.
  • Familiarity with client-related self-help and family participation.
  • Knowledge of all relevant legislation and standards.
  • Knowledge of Recovery-Oriented principles.
  • Excellence in communication, interpersonal and organizational skills.
  • Ability to prepare written communication.
  • Ability to complete psychosocial assessment, including mental status examination, preparing diagnostic impressions, and identifying crisis intervention plans.
  • Ability to work in a culturally informed manner within a range of cultures.
  • Ability to work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team and across service sectors.
  • Ability to respect confidentiality including paper, electronic formats and other mediums.
• Proficiency with MS Office suite of programs.
• Given the cultural diversity of our region, the ability to respect and promote a culturally diverse population is required.
• Proficiency of both official languages is essential for target and designated bilingual positions.
• Good work and attendance record.

Physical Requirements

• Demonstrated ability to meet the physical and mental demands of the job.
• No hazardous or significantly unpleasant conditions.
• May work occasionally evenings and weekends as necessary.
• Will be required to travel to other regional facilities as the position duties may require.