Addictions Worker

Why join CMHA Peel Dufferin?

Support your community. Advance your career. Fulfill your purpose.

Joining the Canadian Mental Health Association – Peel Dufferin Branch means you’ll be part of something meaningful. For starters, we’re honored to have received the Canadian Non-Profit Employer of Choice Award for our efforts to help people live better. Providing support and services to those who live with mental illness and addictions, we’re committed to increasing awareness and addressing the stigma surrounding mental health. That’s why we’ve made it a priority to create a diverse organization that represents the communities we serve – and the people we help.

What We Offer

As a community-based agency, we’re dedicated to the mental, physical, and social health of everyone – including our team members. That’s why we’re proud to offer a total rewards package that helps our team members balance their professional and home life. You’ll also be empowered to keep learning new skills and reaching your goals – from developing a career growth plan to participating in training sessions.

In addition to competitive benefits like Employee Family Assistance Plan and optional extended health and dental benefits, we offer our team members some unique perks that really stand out:

• 4 weeks accrued vacation
• Up to 18 paid sick days accrued per year, plus 2 flexible days each year
• HOOPP Pension Plan
• Ongoing professional development plus $250 annual funding for continuing education and certifications
• $350 annual allowance to invest in achieving your personal wellness goals
• Participation in organizational pay for performance incentive program

We're looking for an Addictions Support Worker to join our Black Health and Social Services Hub - ACTT/EPI Team!

The Addictions Worker will conduct comprehensive assessments, provide client centered stagewise brief interventions and case management using a harm reduction model. This position will work closely with other professionals through the provision of addictions expertise and linkages between mental health and primary health care.

We value the diverse experiences of Black, African and Caribbean candidates. We also recognize the importance of allyship and the critical role allies play in affecting change; we encourage these candidates to also apply.

Status: Permanent full-time, 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Note, this posting is for an active vacancy.

Salary: $61,201.01 - $72,001.19 annually. (Candidate qualifications will be considered when determining the starting salary)

Location: This position is based out of 60 West Dr, Brampton. Due to the nature of this program, this role is on-site and/or community based.

What You Will Do:

• Conduct comprehensive standardized addictions assessments including developing Crisis Plans
• Provide short-term counselling and case management support to ensure progress toward client goals
• Facilitate groups as part of CMHA PD’s multi-disciplinary team including the creation of new groups as needed and act as a back-up facilitator
• Regularly assess risk and respond with mitigation strategies
• Provide education on substance use and wellness to clients and their families/other supports
• Take a leadership role to ensure the provision of substance use interventions for clients including motivational counseling, harm reduction, and abstinence using the stages of change model
• Refer and link clients to community resources and groups that support recovery goals
• Manage a caseload including regular re-assessments, updating risk levels and caseload reviews
• Participate in regular staff meetings and care planning reviews to provide addictions expertise for client care within multi-disciplinary team
• Contact primary care at regular intervals to report clients’ care plan and discharge summary
• Work collaboratively with other Addictions Workers to support organizational needs (e.g., volumes across all regions)
• Update all appropriate documentation within 24 hours of client contact, as required by CMHA PD policy and procedure
• Participate in the Addictions Community of Practice and other agency and community committees and workgroups as requested by manager

This posting description indicates the key responsibilities and core functions of the position. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities.

What You Need to Join Our Team:

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in relevant discipline (e.g., BSW, MSW, OT, RN)
• Being a registered and/or regulated health professional is an asset
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in the mental health and addictions sectors with a focus on assessment, brief interventions and short term supports
• Demonstrated understanding and a commitment to harm reduction principles and practices
• The following experience / trainings are an asset with an expectation to attend trainings as they become available: GAIN-Q3MI Assessment, GAIN-SS Assessment, Concurrent Disorders, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Single Session, Cognitive Behavioural Skills, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma Informed Care, Virtual Care, Interprofessional Multidisciplinary Teams, Crisis Intervention Skills
• Strong understanding of the current and historical health inequities experienced by Black, African and Caribbean communities.
• Demonstrated and practical understanding of anti-Black racism and intersectionality, and various barriers which affect diverse identities
• Intersectional understanding of current social realities and barriers experienced by BAC communities, from an anti-oppressive, anti-racist, feminist, self-aware and trauma-informed approach to practice is mandatory.
• Being knowledgeable in a variety of evidence-informed treatment modalities including anti-Black racism, anti-oppression and other culturally sensitive approaches to intervention.
• Demonstrated cultural competence and ability to work with diverse groups as well as an understanding of social determinants of health and impact on vulnerable communities
• Skilled at engaging in matters that require sensitivity and empathy across a diverse community, excellent judgement, and discretion; ability to operate in a culturally sensitive and anti-oppressive framework
• Openness to operate from an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, 2SLGBTQ+ affirming and intersectional framework.
• Willingness to learn and apply practical understanding of different elements of diversity, such as gender identity/expression, race/cultural background, religion, sexual orientation, disability, immigration and precarious status, family status, etc.
• Fluency in a second language, including ASL (American Sign Language) is considered an asset.
• Valid Canadian driver’s license and access to an insured automobile in good repair.
• A satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Screening (Police Check) report.

Deadline to Apply: Open until Filled

At the Canadian Mental Health Association – Peel Dufferin Branch, we provide a wide array of community services, resources, and care for people with mental illness. In your role, you’ll not only assist people who are struggling, you’ll help them return to good health and reintegrate into the community. In everything we do, we work together to make the world a better place – one person at a time.

Apply Now and EMPOWER your career!