Community Mental Health Worker

Status: Casual

Range: $31.56- $33.28

Location: MRM/Garibaldi Ridge/Alouette Heights - Maple Ridge, BC

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Program Manager, the Community Mental Health Worker is responsible for the day to day running of the support and advocacy services, social, recreational, volunteer and food programs, as well as ensuring the safety and welfare of participants in the program by using the principles of psychosocial rehabilitation practices and in line with the mission, objectives and policies of Coast Mental Health.

Typical Duties:

1. Ensures the implementation of the programs including, leisure activities, cooking, housekeeping, and maintenance tasks by engaging the clients in daily life skills activities.
2. Provides community-based psychosocial rehabilitation services by identifying and supporting clients in accessing and developing links into community programs and services.
3. Teaches and models life skills and strategies necessary for self-care, independent living, and interaction with outside social agencies.
4. Applies a range of effective communication strategies such as role modeling to establish a collaborative rapport with the clients.
5. Provides the support and information necessary to help clients build self-esteem and develop decision-making skills through role modeling and other techniques.
6. Assists clients to identify and gain access to formal and informal community supports such as leisure, vocational, educational services through active community integration; providing community resources.
7. Observes and records the physical and mental health status of clients and takes necessary action.
8. Advocates for and with the clients to encourage them to maintain their rights and dignity.
9. Works with clients, peers, supervisors, other agencies, and relatives in a cooperative and professional manner.
10. Develops individualized life skills programs with clients involving, where appropriate, family, friends, and community resources.
11. Ensures all requirements of the QWIK process and administrative tasks are completed within the allocated timeframes.
12. Uses formal and informal assessment practices such as interviews to develop individual plans identifying the client’s areas of interest and need.
13. Distributes medications safely in accordance with medication policies and procedures.
14. Ensures the implementation of the program’s maintenance, housekeeping, and cooking tasks.
15. Reports and addresses health and safety issues/concerns as they arise.
16. Performs administrative tasks, as assigned.
17. Maintains records as required.
18. Fulfills any other functions/duties that may develop in conjunction with the above.
19. May be asked to direct students and volunteers.
20. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Diploma in Community Social Service or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience or other qualifications determined to be reasonable and relevant to the level of work.
• Recent, related experience of two years.
• Class 5 - BCDL.
• Ability to provide or obtain the following upon hire:
  • Certificates in First Aid + CPR
  • WHMIS
  • Ministry of Justice Criminal Record Clearance

Knowledge and Abilities

• Knowledge of housing issues and local and community resources.
• Firm understanding of harm reduction approach and its implementation in a community-based setting.
• Demonstrated ability in crisis de-escalation skills applied in a team setting.
• Demonstrated ability to work with individuals who are marginalized, underserved, and who may be at risk of homelessness or homeless.
• Demonstrated ability working with individuals living with substance misuse issues and/or an untreated mental illness.
• Understanding of a trauma-informed approach.
• Knowledge of psychosocial rehabilitation practices.
• Knowledge of program policy and procedures.
• Knowledge and proficiency in relevant software.
• Ability to work with clients living with mental illness.
• A good understanding of the issues related to meeting basic needs of food, clothing, shelter.
• Ability to work effectively independently and in cooperation with others.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.
• Ability to observe and recognize changes in clients.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate groups.
• Some knowledge of the criminal justice system.

Why Coast

• We believe in the person, not the disease.
• We operate client-centered care under the principles of psychosocial rehabilitation.
• There is a variety of work within a particular position and within the organization.
• We strive to be the best that we can be.
• We hold Exemplary Status accreditation through Accreditation Canada.
• We have won numerous awards for our innovative programming.
• We care about our employees and believe in living our values and culture throughout the organization.

Coast Mental Health is committed to creating a culture of diversity and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, or disability.