JOB POSTING
Job Title: Crisis Response Worker
Job Type: Casual
Department: Crisis
Division: Crisis Services
Location(s): Oakville
Hours: 24/7 – availability needed for Mon-Fri business hours and Overnight
Target Hiring Range: $32.00 to $35.00 per hour
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About Us
The Canadian Mental Health Association – Halton Region (CMHA Halton) is a leading provider of adult and youth mental health services in the Region of Halton. We are driven by our cause to provide responsive mental health for everyone through equitable services targeted for people living with mental health and/or substance use concerns.
Why Work for CMHA Halton
CMHA Halton offers a supportive team environment, flexible work environment, training opportunities, competitive vacation package and comprehensive benefits/pension package. We have an enthusiastic team who are dedicated to supporting individuals with mental health concerns within a client-focused environment. Individuals seeking new challenges and opportunities for professional growth are encouraged to apply.
CHMA Halton strives to build an inclusive culture with a staff group that represents the diversity of the people and communities we serve. We are committed to reducing systemic barriers to employment and our services that have traditionally impacted members from the following groups, Black, Indigenous People, and other racially visible persons, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and persons with disabilities. If you are a member of one of these equity-seeking groups, you are encouraged to self-identify in your cover letter or your resume. Please also feel free to identify your preferred pronouns when applying.
Role Overview:
The Canadian Mental Health Association, Halton Region Branch (CMHA Halton), is seeking a Crisis Response Worker to provide crisis intervention and support services across a variety of shifts. In this role, the incumbent will respond to individuals accessing crisis support through the 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline, COAST Crisis Line, and Crisis Call Diversion programs. The successful candidate will also provide coverage, as required, at the Safe Beds program located in Oakville, Ontario. In addition, the Crisis Response Worker will conduct community-based outreach visits and support individuals through CMHA Halton’s Crisis Outreach Program, contributing to the delivery of responsive, client-centered mental health services.
The successful candidate will:
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Provide intensive short-term support, crisis intervention, and service coordination to clients
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Possess a comprehensive knowledge of social service resources within the Halton Region and ability to make referrals, guide and advocate on behalf of clients
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Utilize a harm-reduction model as an option when working with clients affected by addiction
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Commit to the use of the recovery model while providing client service
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Incorporate equity, diversity and inclusion practices and principles in the delivery of client-centered care
Location/Scope:
The Crisis Response Worker will work a combination of remote and out of our Oakville locations to provide support to our crisis phone lines, crisis outreach, and Safe Beds teams as needed.
Many of the programs within CMHA Halton’s Crisis Services operate 24/7 and therefore there are a variety of shift options available however the successful candidate must have availability to work Monday-Friday business hours and/or overnights.
What You’ll be Doing:
988 National Crisis and Suicide Line:
988 will be Canada’s official three-digit national helpline for suicide prevention and emotional distress. This service will be available 24/7/365.
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Answer 988 lines to assess for suicide, safety, and identify resources to refer caller to the appropriate community resources to address the client’s behavioral health and social needs as required.
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Conduct follow-up calls on individuals as part of the safety plan process.
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Utilize 988 software to accurately document all client interactions.
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Identify best outcomes, including the coordination of wellness checks and/or the dispatch of mobile crisis response teams.
COAST Crisis Line:
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Provide COAST crisis line telephone support including referrals and interventions to prevent further crisis.
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Utilize evidence-based methods and best practices to: manage client crisis, develop strategies to assist clients to prevent further crisis, provide monitoring and support as they work through their crisis and recovery plans, and establish personal goals that move clients towards recovery.
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Provide support to client families and friends as appropriate
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Work collaboratively with in-house programs, 988 team, Halton Regional Police Services, local hospital ED’s and Psychiatric Departments, and community agencies.
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Comply with Crisis Response Service Standards
Safe Beds:
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Coordinate services, advocate on behalf of, and develop plans to support the recovery and stabilization of clients.
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Ensure clients receive support to de-escalate and stabilize their crisis through a psychosocial rehabilitation, recovery-focused, harm-reduction approach.
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Ensure clients are connected with services and supports to enable stable community living that addresses their health and well-being over the longer term.
Crisis Call Diversion
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Provide intensive short-term support to individuals who have called 911 but are diverted by police responders to the CMHA Crisis Call Diversion Worker.
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Provide crisis intervention, service coordination and facilitate stabilization help to clients with significant mental health and/ or addiction issues
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Focus on strategies to integrate clients into the community following a period of immediate crisis support
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Make referrals on behalf of clients to a wide variety of community programs and services that can best meet their individual needs
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Commit to supporting client’s health, safety and wellness according to relevant legislation and agency policies and procedures
Outreach Program
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Provide short-term crisis intervention, support, and service coordination to Halton Region residents as part of a civilian co-response team.
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Assess crisis referrals and determine the most appropriate response pathway.
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Participate in case reviews, risk assessments, and daily team huddles.
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Deliver client-centered, culturally responsive, recovery-oriented care.
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Conduct outreach assessments, crisis intervention, telephone support, and referrals.
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Complete mental status and risk assessments in community settings.
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Collaborate with police, crisis workers, and community partners to support coordinated crisis response services.
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Develop crisis management and recovery plans with clients and their support networks.
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Provide crisis support through the COAST crisis line.
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Maintain compliance with service standards, agency policies, and applicable legislation.
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Support community relationship-building and contribute to program development.
Other:
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Maintain a non-judgmental attitude when interacting with contacts, displaying sensitivity to all cultural backgrounds.
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Complete all required documentation related to the support of clients
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Work collaboratively with community partners in a multidisciplinary approach.
Qualifications & Skills Needed:
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Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Clinical Psychology, Nursing or a relevant field required.
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Regulated health professional (Registered Social worker or Registered Nurse) or equivalent preferred.
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At least three (3) years’ experience working with individuals with mental health and addictions issues, especially those with complex needs (e.g., concurrent disorders, dual diagnosis).
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Crisis intervention and management experience (i.e., assisting clients in crisis face-to-face and over the phone).
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Strong de-escalation and conflict resolution skills.
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Highly skilled at conducting assessments, and ensuring appropriate risk management
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A demonstrated ability to work with issues related to substance use and concurrent disorders within a harm reduction framework.
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Cultural competence and a demonstrated ability to adapt interventions to ensure equity, access, and accommodation.
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Knowledge and commitment to the values of psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery-oriented practices.
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Good working knowledge of relevant mental health legislation including the Mental Health Act.
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Skilled at trauma-informed practice and implementation.
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Proven expertise in psychiatric symptomology and psychiatric medication as well as suicide assessment and intervention.
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A broad understanding of all factors that impact an individual’s mental health and well-being, including the social determinants of health, trauma, poverty and homelessness.
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Familiarity with mental health and addictions/justice/community-based support services in the Halton Region.
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Possesses a high degree of empathy, understanding, patience, flexibility, initiative, creativity, openness to change and excellent rapport-building skills.
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Excellent oral and written communication skills.
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High level of accountability, and is reliable and takes initiative.
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Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
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Non-violent crisis intervention, first aid, CPR and ASIST certifications are an asset
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Working knowledge of EMHware database of similar Client Information System (CIS) would be beneficial.
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Proficiency in MS Word and Excel
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Ability to speak a second language would be considered an asset
CMHA Halton will support any accommodations that may be required for you to actively participate in the recruitment process. Please email [email protected] if you wish to review this job posting in an alternative format or if you would like to request an accommodation. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Thank you for your interest in CMHA Halton.
CMHA Halton does not use artificial intelligence (AI) or automated decision‑making technologies in any part of our recruitment or selection processes. All hiring decisions are made by our People & Culture team and trained hiring managers, who carefully review each application to ensure a fair, equitable, and human‑centered assessment. We are committed to transparency, privacy, and ethical hiring practices, and we ensure that every candidate is evaluated by real people who bring thoughtful judgment, inclusivity, and care to our recruitment practices.
This posting is intended to fill an existing vacancy within the agency.
