Who We Are:
Canadian Mental Health Association Durham is an integrated community mental health and primary care hub that has been providing mental health services to Durham Region for over 60 years.
During that time, it has evolved to provide a broad range of services to individuals and their families experiencing mental health challenges, from information and education to case management, psychosocial rehabilitation, housing and primary healthcare. These services are provided through inter-professional teams focused on providing clinically based services that, in addition to dealing with client mental health issues, address social determinants of health using the recovery model.
Overview of the Role:
Reporting to the CREATE & Group Living Lead, this individual will have responsibility for supporting mental health clients in the CREATE program at CMHA Durham. This includes assisting with daily living activities, household tasks, and fostering community independence. They will also play a role in providing case management, advocacy, and support services. They will also provide expertise in working collaboratively within a care team to develop and implement individualized care plans, promote independent living skills, and ensure clients’ basic needs are met.
NOTE: This is a contract full-time position for 6 months.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Participates as a member of a high performance, multi-service team managing an assigned caseload of mental health clients providing support in group living and integration into the larger community.
- Reviews assessment information by identifying goals and preparing individualized supportive client care plans that promote long-term stability and growth. Monitors, reviews, and updates the client care plan (OCAN, GAIN, Life Skills Assessments, etc.) on a scheduled basis and revises the plan as necessary, ensuring flexibility to meet client needs.
- Develops, implements, evaluates, and revises treatment goal plans in collaboration with clients and care team members.
- Ensures that clients understand CMHA Durham services and agree to the expectations related to Residential Housing and CREATE Services using appropriate service agreements.
- Works with clients in one-on-one and/or group situations teaching life skills that promote sharing of responsibilities associated with reaching their goals to move onto independent housing.
- Provides one-to-one and group supports with regards to individual goal setting related to life management skills, independent living skills, self-confidence, personal health and wellness, vocational, recreation, social, etc.
- Provides case management services in a respectful, individualized, supportive, and flexible manner.
- Delivers and observes medications to clients and monitors effectiveness, potential side effects, and/or interactions as per their medication schedule.
- Supports and assists clients with ADL (Activities of Daily Living) tasks to maintain and enhance the client’s functional abilities.
- Provides support services to clients assisting with scheduled appointments, arranging transportation to appointments, and/or accompanying clients to appointments, as necessary.
- Assists clients to maximize abilities, develop skills, and promote community independence.
- Supports clients to establish and foster peer supports and natural family connections.
- Establishes supportive therapeutic relationships with clients and advocates for, and with, clients.
- Consults and collaborates with community resources and service providers ensuring clients obtain the most appropriate services and receive continuity in their care.
- Works with community resources involved in the care of the clients as directed.
- Ensures the residential group living homes are in safe, working order; frequent and regular cleaning of the homes in collaboration with clients; general maintenance responsibilities within the homes (i.e. garbage collection, recycling, overall cleanliness, etc.).
- Ongoing and consistent communication with CMHA Durham’s CREATE Management for inside/outside concerns/issues, and communications with regards to pest control issues, snow removal, landscaping, etc.
- Reporting maintenance issues on a weekly basis or as necessary to CREATE Management.
- Assists clients to maintain good personal hygiene.
- Recognizes and reports changes in clients’ mental or physical condition.
- Performs routine sanitization to high traffic areas in the satellite office environment to follow appropriate infection prevention and control standards.
- Facilitates and supports movement into and out of the residential group living homes, and assists clients transition into independent living, or more supportive living arrangements (i.e. long-term care facilities).
- Collaborates with all members of the client care team.
- Documents client contacts, creates daily logs, summaries, and completes reports in a timely manner, as outlined in the CMHA Durham policies and procedures.
Client Safety:
Adhere to CMHA Durham client safety programs including program policies as well as infection control and prevention procedures. In partnership with clients, family members, and fellow staff, maintain open lines of communication to assist the organization in identifying and achieving quality outcomes for client safety. Report client safety incidents and suggested improvements to manager or delegate.
Other Duties as Assigned:
- Attend, participate in team meetings and all employee meetings
- Participate in organizational quality improvement activities, e.g. accreditation projects, committee work, special events
- Participate in quality improvement activities at the team/program level
- Participating in external committees as required
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbent(s) of this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and activities required of the position.
Effort:
- Sits at desk, stands and walks daily to perform the duties of the job.
- Concentration, conceptualization and attentiveness required daily to answer all inquiries.
- Operates personal vehicle to perform the duties of the job
- Creativity and innovation required daily using sight, hearing and touch to operate a computer,
- Develop strategic actions, develop/provide information on policies and procedures,
- Proofread, perform comprehensive assessments, and read documents,
- Resolve conflicts, problem solve, facilitate meetings, attend meetings, oversee daily operations, manage caseloads, prepare documents, listen to clients etc.
Risk Management:
- Minimizes risks adhering to CMHA Durham Policies and Procedures identifying, assessing, evaluating and controlling risks ensuring well-being of employees and clients
- Communicates regularly with CMHA Durham’s CREATE Management for issues related to health and safety of the residential group living homes
Qualifications:
- Post-secondary education in a related area of study (e.g., mental health) and a minimum of one-year related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Sound knowledge of the Mental Health Act, Health Care Consent Act, Personal Health Information Protection Act, the Forensic Mental Health System, social service benefits, and related legislation in Ontario.
- Sound knowledge of psychotropic medications and some knowledge of medical medications.
- General knowledge of the mental health environment in Ontario.
- Ability to develop and maintain a positive therapeutic relationship with clients.
- Ability to work with individuals of diverse backgrounds.
- Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with community partners and always represent the agency in a professional manner.
- Ability to perform tasks necessary for the position.
- Excellent communication skills (written and verbal).
- Ability to organize and present information effectively.
- Flexibility and adaptability to change; able to navigate through ambiguous situations.
- Ability to work independently and co-operatively as part of a team, management, board of directors, stakeholders, and partners such as external vendors.
- Ability to think critically and creatively.
- Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills; able to prioritize.
- Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Effective client relationship-building skills; understanding the client’s needs and background.
- Strong knowledge in various aspects of applicable legislation.
- Strong computer skills, including MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook), and the internet. Excel macros considered an asset.
- Project management skills.
- Valid Ontario Driver’s license, access to a dependable vehicle in safe working order, and appropriate insurance coverage.
- Shift work required, including days, evenings, nights, weekends, and non-standard hours as needed, in compliance with the Disconnect from Work Policy.
- Satisfactory, current Vulnerable Sector Check and satisfactory Professional Work References required.
- Able to integrate CMHA Durham’s philosophy of being a “welcoming organization” into everyday practice.
- Knowledge of Indigenous communities and cultural practices (preferred).
- Basic to intermediate proficiency in French considered an asset.
Working Conditions:
- Works in a group home environment
- Shift work required, including days, evenings, nights, weekends, and non-standard hours as needed.
- Travels in vehicle daily to see clients
- Exposure to abusive/irate clients, distractions, interruptions and deadlines
- Little exposure to hazards
What We Offer:
CMHA Durham is a non-profit community-based organization that believes that mental and physical health care is for everyone regardless of class, race, sexuality, gender, age, faith, or ability. With a flexible working model (within reasonable parameters of the program), memberships to meditation apps, competitive vacation, wellness time and 100% employer paid health benefits, work-life balance is not only encouraged but expected. Our Monday – Friday work week has 35 hours for most position and everyone gets their birthday off with pay.
Read more about us at CMHADurham.org/getinvolved.
CMHA Durham endorses the principles of workforce diversity and does not use AI algorithms or automated decision-making in the recruitment process. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Please advise us if you require any level of accommodation; we are here to help and support you.
