Mental Health Support Worker

Who We Are

For more than 130 years, The Salvation Army has served people in need in communities across Canada and Bermuda. Building on our roots as a world-wide Christian church, each year we help more than 2 million people, providing necessities such as food, clothing and shelter. In addition, we support people experiencing unemployment, addiction and family challenges. We continually adapt and innovate to meet emerging needs and live out our mission, vision and values of hope, service, dignity and stewardship. As a faith- and values-based organization, we hire and serve people of all backgrounds and walks of life - there is a place for everyone to belong here.

Mission Statement

The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

Job Description:

Position Purpose Summary:

The Mental Health Support Worker provides supervision of residents, maintains the safety and security of the facility and everyone living in it. They support the team and ensure operations are efficient, safe, and secure. The Mental Health Support Worker shall ensure residents safety while interacting in a positive, supportive manner. They will provide practical support to help re-integrate them into the community and supports in the community.

Accountabilities:

Resident Care and Mental Health Support:

• Actively supervises residents in the facility and in the community as required in a lawful, safe, and expedient manner.

• Monitors the activities of the residents and maintain availability for mental, personal, practical, and moral support.

• Deals with serious incidents and crisis in a safe and therapeutic manner.

• Coordinates resident care relating to security issues; performs bed checks and room/personal searches.

• May assist with planning as well as implement, monitor, and participate in group activities, including life-skills training modules and social recreational programming to help residents reintegrate to healthy community as well as deal with mental health issues.

• Utilizes the environment (milieu) in assessing, teaching, and supporting residents around various issues and questions such as problem-solving, conflict resolution, mental wellbeing.

• Participates in development and implementation of case plans.

• Reports to Health Care Worker and/or Caseworker client progress, changes and/or regression in the client’s status.

• Completes duties, reports, and logs as per shift description.

• Following standardized procedures, liaises with referral sources and other external agencies as needed (e.g., Ministry of Social Services, SIS worker, SAID worker; police; parole; EMS; urgent situations; pharmacy).

• Refers clients to outside resources and counseling when needed.

• Encourages residents to develop community-based support networks, in conjunction with the Case Management Supervisor or designate.

• Answers the program department telephone and records/remits messages.

• Follows policies and procedures of Waterston Ministries, The Salvation Army, and the funder.

Health & Safety:

• Communicate and enforce facility rules while maintaining discipline and safety.

• Oversee the "CRF" or "SRP" programs when senior staff aren't on the premises when assigned.

• Maintains the safety and security needs of the residents through engagement, support, supervision, and monitoring.

• Supervises the delivery of medication and ensures residents are provided with appropriate medical attention as required.

• Maintains a high level of client care and completes duties in the facility such as preparing and serving of snacks, cleanliness of program and office space. 

• May participate as an active member of the Joint Health & Safety Committee.

Communication and Reporting:

• Completes all documentation in regard to client safety, incident reports, fire safety, and other serious incidents.

• Documents daily events, progress towards goals, and any significant occurrences.

• Maintains strictest confidentiality regarding the residents, their issues, and their concerns.

Team Participation

• Participates in all team meetings.

• Presents concerns, questions, and issues in prescribed forums.

• Works co-operatively as a team member and provides a coordinated and consistent approach to residents.

• Provides input into decisions regarding admissions and discharges from the program.

• Participates as required in the evaluation and goal-setting processes of the organization.

• Other work-related duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work setting is at Waterston Centre which is a Residential facility – office environment. 

• Occasional travel to and from scheduled and unscheduled appointments (5% travel).

• May travel to appointments with residents.

• Some unscheduled overtime maybe associated with this position. 

• Works rotational shifts.

• The incumbent will/may work under the following disagreeable conditions:

  • Dealing with angry and highly emotional residents and their families.

  • May encounter verbal abuse.

  • May involve bending, stretching, reaching, and climbing.

  • Minimal opportunities for rest breaks may occur during the shift.

  • May involve sitting, standing, walking for long periods of time.

  • Ability to lift up to 30 pounds.

Education, Qualifications and Certifications:

• Completion of high school is required.

• Completion of a formal post-secondary/college diploma program of 2 academic years in Social Service Work, and/or Mental Health & Addictions is a strong asset

• CPR First Aid (C).

• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Certificate or willingness to obtain.

• Current Drivers license and driving abstract would be an asset.

• Completion of Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST).

• Alternative combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Experience and Skilled Knowledge Requirements

• A minimum of 11 months of prior related experience in a residential setting working with marginalized clientele with a strong focus on mental health support.

• Experience working within the field of Mental Health and Addictions is preferred.

• Demonstrated understanding of the Behaviour Based Model.

• Understanding and support for the mission and purpose of The Salvation Army in Canada and its implications as related to position responsibilities.

• Demonstrated experience with Microsoft Office, internet, and keyboarding.

Skills and Capabilities:

• Ability and willingness to respect, promote, and support the mission, vision, and values of TSA and develop an understanding of the purpose of the Salvation Army in Canada and its implication as related to position responsibilities.

• Strong sense of integrity and confidentiality with professional ethics and a balanced sense of fairness and flexibility.

• Strong understanding of professional boundaries when working with a vulnerable population.

• Strong listening, written, and verbal communication skills – clear and simple to understand.

• Able to proactively recognize potential risks, conflicts, and issues, respond with solutions and coaching. 

• Attention to detail, problem solving, and analytical skills.

• Patience and ability to deescalate situations.

• Ability to coach and provide constructive feedback.

• Ability to make decisions within established framework while understanding the impact decisions will have on programming as well as programs around them. 

• Ability to organize and prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong interpersonal and motivational skills.

• Demonstrates effective interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to deal with internal and external contacts at all levels of the organization in a professional manner.

• Ability to develop and maintain a team environment; work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness.

• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, be reliable, and operate in an environment of accountability.

• Understands the dynamics of resident’s behaviour with the ability to assess their needs and risks.

• Ability to demonstrate understanding of and empathy toward cultural differences.

This is a Casual on-call position with variable shifts.

Compensation:

The target hiring range for this position is $19.09 to $23.87 with a maximum of $28.64.

Placement in the salary range will be based on factors such as market conditions, internal equity, and candidate experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role.

The Salvation Army will provide reasonable accommodation upon request. Please email [email protected] if you have a need for any accommodation and we will be pleased to discuss this with you.