Addiction and Mental Health Worker, Crisis Centre First Contact
Direct Service - (OPSEU)
Part-time, Contract (End Date: March 31, 2026)
London, ON (London Zone)
- Application Deadline: August 25, 2025 -
When individuals in our community experience an urgent mental health or addictions crisis, they deserve a response that is person-centred and supportive, while focusing on personal dignity and wellbeing.
At the Crisis Centre First Contact, you will provide short-term support for individuals accessing the programs. By ensuring the safety of all who enter the program, we encourage empowerment and crisis resolution while maintaining a calm and respectful environment for all.
Consider revitalizing your career and making a difference in your community by joining our team!
WHAT WE'RE OFFERING:
What you'll be making - Starting rate for this role is $27.14 per hour (Level 1 – Direct Service), with a wage differential, based on regulation ($30.01 per hour for Level 1 – Direct Service, Regulated):
Successful candidates who are registered with one of the designated professional colleges (e.g. OCSWSSW, CNO, COTO, CRPO, CPSO, or CPO) will receive the wage differential for regulation
Successful external applicants will start at Level 1, with grid progression based on seniority up to Level 8 ($34.41 per hour for non-regulated, and $37.26 per hour for regulated)
For internal applicants, grid level placement will occur as per the Collective Agreement
When you'll work -14 hours biweekly; every other Saturday and Sunday, 2 pm to 9 pm.
What your benefits will be - 9% in lieu of benefits
Your pension plan - Immediately eligible for optional enrolment in the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)
HOW YOU WILL BE MAKING A DIFFERENCE:
Respond to in-person and phone referrals for service to the Crisis Centre
Work collaboratively with referral sources to ensure a smooth transition to services for participants
Contribute to a welcoming and supportive environment for individuals attending the Crisis Centre
Complete mental health and addictions assessments and interventions based on the theory of crisis management including rapid response, risk assessment, de-escalation, stabilization, and referral to determine individual needs and level of risk
Utilize interventions consistent with a harm reduction approach
Establish a therapeutic relationship to maximize the benefits of engagement between the staff person and the individual
Provide short-term follow-up support to bridge the gap from referral to engagement with a longer-term support service as needed
In partnership with the participant, coordinate and facilitate linkages to appropriate services and supports in the community
Advocate as necessary in order to facilitate access to services and supports with the objective of remediating the immediate crisis situation
Provide information regarding resources found within both the broader addiction and mental health system and the community in general
Engage Emergency Services when it is determined that additional intervention is required
When appropriate, act as a liaison with caregivers and/or support providers who are involved with the individual to facilitate a coordinated approach to service provision
Provide referrals to other services within the organization such as the Crisis Assessment Team and Transitional Case Management Team, as necessary
Provide health teaching and information regarding a variety of coping techniques and strategies, e.g. grounding, breathing techniques, self-care, nutrition, sleep hygiene, techniques to enhance overall well-being, the completion of crisis plans
Provide individual follow-up as determined to be necessary and/or appropriate
Reception
Serve as initial contact in greeting and directing participants, staff and guests with a primary focus on providing a welcoming environment to all site visitors
Ensuring that all enquires are addressed in a timely manner
Work collaboratively with co-workers to ensure the effective flow of relevant information between co-workers as well as to individuals-served and site visitors (including messages, service information, organizational and site-specific information)
Ensure that reception areas are maintained in a manner that is tidy and inviting, and that public bulletin boards and brochure supply areas are kept current and accessible
Operate telephone system – answer, screen and forward telephone calls, record and relay information
Ensure sign in book is updated to assist in tracking of all persons in the building as per Health and Safety requirements
Retrieve and bring the sign in book when an evacuation of the building has occurred in order for a roll call to be completed
Retrieve, sort, date stamp correspondence, and distribute accordingly
Coordinate and distribute all incoming e-mails to the general e-mail account, all incoming faxes, and all incoming postal mail
Reach Out responsibilities:
Provide crisis intervention services and supports on the Reach Out Crisis line via phone, text and web chat
Respond to voicemails from the Reach Out Crisis line.
Establish a therapeutic relationship with callers to the Reach Out line, and work with these clients to address their immediate concerns
WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO APPLY:
Police Vulnerable Sector Check Requirements
Successful candidates must have a Police Vulnerable Sector Check completed in the last six months. Interested applicants who reside in the City of London and are in need of a Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) are encouraged to apply for one as soon as possible as PVSCs in the City of London are currently taking approximately 2 weeks to be processed and offers of employment cannot be made without receipt of a PVSC.
We require the following qualifications:
Post-secondary education in a relevant field of study e.g. social work, psychology, or a related discipline (primary proof of credentials will be required during the hiring process i.e. original degree/diploma or official transcript)
Ability to attend work regularly
We prefer the following qualifications:
Proficiency in the areas of crisis intervention, crisis resolution, and community support
Training in crisis intervention and crisis resolution, including ASIST
Extensive knowledge of community resources, service and support programs, and barriers individuals face in accessing same
Working knowledge of a variety of treatment, intervention, and support strategies for mental health and addictions
Computer literacy
3 years’ experience working in mental health
2 years’ experience in mental health crisis intervention
Experience with, and detailed knowledge of, mild, moderate & serious mental illnesses, usually gained by several years of working with this population
Experience working in a community-based setting; preferably with an established network of service & support resources
Written and verbal communication skills
First Aid & CPR, WHMIS
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 – August 25, 2025:
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
Legal Notifications:
For legal purposes our full business name is: Canadian Mental Health Association Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services
Artificial Intelligence is not currently employed in our recruitment processes
