Mental Health and Addiction Worker

Employment Status

Casual 

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We provide housing and a range of support services to adults with low or no income who have few, if any, housing or support options. Because the people we serve have challenges meeting basic needs and goals, we place minimal barriers between them and our services. For more information about Lookout, please visit www.lookoutsociety.ca

Location

The Harbour, Victoria 

Days and Hours of work

Salary

$31.56 - $33.28 depending upon applicants' length of seniority (as per the Collective Agreement) 

Job Summary

The Mental Health Worker reports to the Program Manager, or designate.  The position works in accordance with the mission and philosophy of Lookout Housing and Health Society including following Lookout’s Code of Ethics.  The Mental Health Worker carries out a variety of duties including oversight of harm reduction supplies throughout the Society and orienting and supporting staff to carry out their duties within the harm reduction framework. The position also carries out duties related to the operation of the needle distribution including intake and orienting guests, assisting guests with mental, developmental, and/or physical disabilities, education on harm reduction methods and distribution of harm reduction supplies. The Mental Health Worker deals with the public, other service agencies and professionals involved in the support of the guests and provides a variety of day-to-day physical, emotional, and social supports, advocacy, life skills assistance, information, resources, and demonstrations. This role will support guests to live successfully in the community by determining appropriate care to meet individual needs and situational requirements. 

Job Duties

• Participates in Lookout’s Needle Distribution by performing duties such as interviewing clients to identify problems and needs, obtaining required information from a variety of sources. 
• Understand and apply harm reduction techniques and implementing harm reduction practices that are approved and meet outlined legal and contractual requirements. 
• Implements and controls an inventory of harm reduction supplies, ordering approved supplies as required, utilizing free and low cost opportunities wherever possible.  
• Observes guests, identifies and assesses potential emergency situations, and develops short-term strategies to deal with such situations. Reports medical, behavioural, and other problems are required. Provides feedback and input regarding clients’ needs. 
• Provides assistance to guests and non-guests in need through methods such as providing first aid, administering medication, as prescribed and in accordance with established health plans and policy; provides health related information to medical workers.  
• Identifies available social, economic, recreational, and educational services and resources in the community that will meet guests’ needs. Provides clients with related information. 
• Demonstrates and models for clients healthy life style behaviour and coping skills.
• Completes and maintains related records and documentation such as care plans, progress reports, statistics, and daily logs. 
• Conduct point of care assessment to ascertain if there is a potential for harmful consequences. Takes reasonable action to avoid client harm to themselves or to others.  Actions include using various communication strategies to reduce the tension or distract the client and/or contacting mental health teams, or other care providers, or calling 911 for professional assistance.  Provides feedback to appropriate mental health or health care team members.
• Employees are expected to remain alert and attentive during working hours. Sleeping during shifts is not permitted
• Responsible for complying with and contributing to all aspects of health and safety program
• Performs other related duties are required. 

Qualifications & Competence

Education, Training and Experience
•    Grade 12
•    Diploma in Community Social Service or a combination of related experience of two (2) years
•    Class V BC Drivers’ License
•    Certificates in CPR, First Aid, and Food Safe 
•    Recent related experience of two (2) year

OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience
OR other qualifications determined to be reasonable and relevant to the work.

Skills and Abilities

•    Knowledge/familiarity with related resources such as: Mental Health, Income Assistance, Harm Reduction, Trauma Informed Practice, Addictions Support organizations, etc. 
•    Ability to carry out the duties of the position
•    Ability to work independently and in cooperation with others
•    Ability to operate related equipment
•    Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
•    Ability to organize and prioritize work 
•    Ability to observe and recognize changes in guests
•    Ability to establish and maintain rapport with guests
•    Home management skills
•    Ability to instruct
•    Suitability to work with disadvantaged and challenging adults in a diverse environment.
•    Ability to analyze and resolve problems
•    Conflict resolution and crisis intervention skills
•    Advocacy skills 

Closing Date

Applications will be accepted until July 10, 2025 at 5:00pm

“All employees, including laid off and displaced employees, are entitled to apply on the vacancy and be considered pursuant to the provisions of Article 12.9.” Internal applicants must apply through "Career Opportunities" on SAP. External applicants will be reviewed after Internal. 

ALL QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WELCOME TO APPLY. THOSE SHORT-LISTED WILL BE CONTACTED. 
c. BCGEU, Shop Steward 

Lookout Housing and Health Society is committed to empowering people from different races, gender, age, religion, identities and unique experiences. We welcome everyone from diverse backgrounds and encourage them to apply in order to foster an inclusive environment.