Community Mental Health Worker - Access

Position Overview

The Community Mental Health Worker (CMHW) is a clinician who provides psychosocial assessment, consultation and evidence- informed counselling intervention and psychosocial rehabilitation to individuals referred to the mental health program for mental health related problems. Through the application of therapeutic skills that promote and build on individual’s strengths, the CMHW assists the individual/family to maximize independence, self-responsibility and promotes personal wellness, community integration and social justice. Depending on individual needs and particularly when working with individuals with enduring mental illness, the CMHW applies case management functions that focus on functional assessment and skill development, relapse prevention, and rehabilitation.

Services are based on the principles of recovery, empowerment, self-determination and responsibility and are part of a continuum of mental health services. Clinicians operate within a collaborative care structure and provide time-limited, goal-oriented, change-focused interventions and/or consultations that are based on informed consent, voluntary participation and within individual capacity. The CMHW requires a diverse and comprehensive knowledge base about trauma informed psychiatric care as well as other adopted mental health therapies and the ability possess and integrate into practice crisis management and suicide intervention skills. The CMHW exercises the appropriate level of initiative and independent judgment in determining work priorities, work methods to be employed and action to be taken on unusual matters.

The CMHW as part of the ACCESS portfolio provides a welcoming point of contact for clients and referral sources seeking Mental Health Program services in the Southern Health-Santé Sud region. The role includes developing effective alliances with callers, collecting information about the request for service, assessment of the service request for appropriateness to the Mental Health Program, evaluation of individual risk as well as urgent intervention where indicated. The incumbent provides information on community resources, follow-up and risk assessment to individuals awaiting service, provides information on alternate community resources to referral sources and/or individuals not appropriate to the service and transfer of the request to the appropriate Mental Health program.

The Community Mental Health Worker works to the full scope of practice and engages in ongoing education and maintains competency congruent with Southern Health-Santé Sud 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 Southern Health-Santé Sud.

Experience

• Minimum of two (2) years supervised counselling experience.
• Experience in providing mental health services for adults or children and adolescents or adults with serious mental illnesses, or senior’s mental health.
• Experience in completing psychosocial assessments and mental status examinations.

Education (Degree/Diploma/Certificate)

• Graduate of an accredited post-secondary education in Health-Related Social Sciences (e.g. BSW, BScMH, BScPN, BN, RPN). Other relevant educational qualifications and experience may be considered.

Certification/Licensure/Registration

• Active license and registration to practice as required by professional association and provincial legislation.
• Certificate in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills (ASIST).

Qualifications and Skills

• Knowledge and understanding of all aspects of mental health service.
• Advanced mental health psychosocial assessment skills and knowledge of appropriate evidence informed therapeutic counseling models, approaches and interventions.
• Advanced knowledge of human developmental theory and mental health concerns typically identified for various populations across the age spectrum including signs and symptoms of mental illness.
• Knowledge of recovery principles in the treatment of mental illness.
• Knowledge and understanding of co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
• Knowledge of commonly prescribed psychotropic medications for mental disorders across the age spectrum.
• Knowledge of mental health self-help and client and family engagement in mental health treatment.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and standards in Manitoba i.e. Personal Health Information Act and others as specified by Southern Health-Santé Sud and program area.
• Proficiency with MS Office suite of programs and other technological applications (i.e. telehealth).
• Demonstrated excellence in communication, interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare written communication.
• Demonstrated ability to complete psychosocial assessment, including mental status examination, preparing diagnostic impressions, and identifying crisis intervention plans.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a culturally informed manner within a range of cultures.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team and across service sectors.
• 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.
• Demonstrated ability to respect confidentiality including paper, electronic formats and other mediums.
• Good work and attendance record.
• Requires a valid Class 5 driver’s license, an all-purpose insured vehicle and liability insurance of at least $1,000,000.00.

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.
• May be required to travel to other regional facilities as the position duties may require.