Addiction & Mental Health Worker, Crisis Centre

Addiction & Mental Health Worker/Counsellor, Crisis Centre

Direct Service - (OPSEU)

Relief, Casual

This posting is the result of an expansion of a relief pool.

London, Ontario (London Zone)

- Application Deadline: November 24, 2026 -

We're expanding our pool of Relief Addiction and Mental Health Workers/Counsellors in the Mental Health & Addictions Crisis Centre, specifically in the following programs: Crisis Stabilization Space, Crisis Centre First Contact, Crisis Response Team-London, Reach Out 988 and Crisis Assessment Team. This role has potential to work shifts in multiple programs across the Crisis Services Department; however, eligibility for shifts in specific programs will be at the discretion of the Manager and based on program needs and suitability.

We are currently seeking candidates with open availability for all shifts, including weekdays and weekends; including day, afternoon, evening, and overnight shifts. Shift length in these programs varies, up to and including 12-hour shifts. Relief staff have flexibility to accept shifts that suit their schedules but will commit to accepting a minimum of three shifts per month. While the minimum shift requirement is currently three shifts per month, Relief staff have the ability to pick up shifts at their discretion up to a maximum of 44 hours per week

Crisis Centre Staff will support individuals accessing services by providing a psychosocial response in order to promote crisis resolution and empowerment for the individual. The Crisis Centre Staff will also work collaboratively with individuals to assess and identify their needs and link them to appropriate supports in the community.

Depending on the program, supports may be provided in-person, via telephone or virtually; Crisis Services programs support individuals on a walk-in basis at the Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Centre; in the community, via mobile response; via phone, text and web chat, and through intensive, short-term stabilization supports.

Consider revitalizing your career and making a difference in your community by joining our team!

WHAT WE'RE OFFERING:

• What you'll be making – Starting rate for this role is $27.14 per hour (Level 1 – Direct Service), with a wage differential, based on regulation ($30.01 per hour for Level 1 – Direct Service, Regulated):
  1. Successful candidates who are registered with one of the designated professional colleges (e.g. OCSWSSW, CNO, COTO, CRPO, CPSO, or CPO) will receive the wage differential for regulation
  2. Successful external applicants will start at Level 1, with grid progression based on seniority up to Level 8 ($34.41 per hour for non-regulated, and $37.26 per hour for regulated); for internal applicants, grid level placement will occur as per the Collective Agreement
  3. Premiums of $2.00 per hour will be applied for eligible Evening/Night (8:00pm – 7:00am) and Weekend Shifts.
• When you'll work – Relief shifts consist of days, afternoons, evenings, and weekend shifts up to 44 hours per week depending on coverage needs.
• Your pension plan – Immediately eligible for optional enrolment in the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)

HOW YOU WILL BE MAKING A DIFFERENCE:

Direct Service:

• Complete mental health and addiction assessments based on theory of crisis management including rapid response to identify:
  1. the impact of psychiatric symptoms on functioning,
  2. risk factors related to safety of client and others
  3. opportunities for de-escalation and stabilization
• Establish a therapeutic relationship to maximize the benefits of engagement with the individual
• Provide short-term follow-up support to bridge the gap from referral to engagement with a longer-term support service as needed
• Coordinate and facilitate referrals to internal and external services and supports
• Advocate as necessary in order to facilitate access to services and supports with the objective of remediating immediate crisis situation
• Engage emergency services when it is determined that additional intervention is required
• Assess barriers to successful community living (e.g. treatment options, transportation, finances, etc.)
• Obtain information, as needed, from other relevant sources
• Interact and provide support and assessment in a nonjudgmental fashion and provide care that demonstrates sensitivity to individual diversity (e.g. culture, race, age, sexual orientation, gender, beliefs and values).
• Support the individual in developing skills for self-advocacy to learn new behaviours and develop coping skills fostering healthy interdependence through limit setting.
• Provide health teaching and information regarding coping techniques and strategies, e.g. grounding, breathing techniques, self-care, nutrition, sleep hygiene, techniques to enhance overall well-being.

24/7 Reach Out Addiction and Mental Health Crisis Line responsibilities:

• All Crisis Services Staff are to provide support to individuals through Reach Out.
• Provide crisis intervention services and supports on Reach Out via phone, text and web chat.
• Respond to voicemails from Reach Out.
• Establish a therapeutic relationship with individuals accessing Reach Out, and work with individuals to address their immediate concerns.

Crisis Intervention:

• Provide short-term, psychotherapeutic intervention to assist individuals in gaining insight and improving coping skills within the framework of the crisis model.
• Perform in a calm, competent and efficient manner in an emergency situation acknowledging the individual’s need for privacy and dignity.
• Utilize harm reduction principles to identify, reduce and remove risk factors.

Crisis Follow-up:

• Refer individuals for additional assessments as is determined to be necessary and/or appropriate
• Assist the individual to identify and connect with personal/natural supports
• Provide follow-up support and/or check ins to bridge the gap from referral to engagement with a longer-term support service as appropriate

Coordination and Advocacy:

• Demonstrate knowledge of community resources and its place within the mental health and addiction care system
• Assist in building positive working relationships across the service system including CMHA and hospital
• Participate in public education and advocacy
• When appropriate, act as liaison with caregivers and/or service and support providers who are involved with the individual to facilitate a coordinated approach to service provision

Additional Program Specific Roles and Responsibilities

Crisis Assessment Team (CAT)

For our CAT, the following qualifications are preferred:

• RPN, RN, or Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy, Social Work, or Psychology or related field
• Currently registered and in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, the College of Nurses of Ontario, the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, or the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario

Crisis Stabilization Space (CSS)

• Complete necessary tasks required to maintain clean and safe residential setting (e.g., laundry, cleaning, disinfecting, security checks)
• Assist and coach participants in the learning and management/achievement of mental wellness, safety, and activities of daily living such as personal hygiene, daily chores, budgeting, socialization, etc.
• Maintain alertness (i.e. awake, aware) and knowledge of clients and activity within the program to ensure safety and wellness for all

Crisis Response Team

• Support individuals in the community working in teams of two. Focus is to be on crisis assessment and solutions focused crisis intervention.
• As necessary, assist individual crisis centre clients with transportation to required mental health services.
• Work with community partners including London Police Services and London Emergency Medical Services. Maintain consistent communication with community services through dedicated phone line. Assist community services in supporting the mental health of individuals in the community.

Crisis Call Diversion (CCD)

• Relief will report to the LPS Communications Centre for scheduled shifts
• Assist in building positive working relationships across the service system including CMHA, emergency service partners (i.e. police) and other social or health care providers.
• Complete required documentation related to client as per CMHA TVAMHS standards, discipline-specific guidelines and standards and PHIPA legislation.
• Maintain dual records, recording both in the format required by, and in accordance with the documentation and record storage policies and procedures of the CMHA TVAHMS and LPS.
• Adhere to the privacy policies of, and privacy legislation respecting, LPS and CMHA TVAHMS; including the collection and disclosure of information, as well as undertaking responsibility for maintaining awareness of the unique differences between the privacy frameworks of municipal services and health services.
• When necessary, compile documentation such as affidavits or will-say statements where required by respective policing partner or where compelled by court
• When necessary, testify professionally and accurately at hearings, trials and such other judicial or quasi-judicial proceedings as may be compelled from time to time, arising from nature of the work
• Adhere strictly to the health and safety provisions put in place by respective police partner and CMHA TV and to assume an active and diligent role in contributing to a safe and health workplace.
• Respect the authority of our policing partners (e.g. in-charge officer) assigned to functionally direct the work performed as part of this role.
• Follow both the CMHA TVAMHS and LPS policies and procedures regarding scheduled time off, call-ins, and other attendance issues including the arrival and departure from work.
• Monitor and report on the quality of services provided, identifying deficiencies and respectfully advocating positive change.
• To represent yourself, CMHA TVAMHS and LPS both professionally and positively in the community.
• Successful completionof a LPS security clearance.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO APPLY:

Police Vulnerable Sector Check Requirements
Successful candidates must have a Police Vulnerable Sector Check completed in the last six months. Interested applicants who reside in the City of London and are in need of a Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) are encouraged to apply for one as soon as possible as PVSCs in the City of London are currently taking approximately 2 weeks to be processed and offers of employment cannot be made without receipt of a PVSC.

We require the following qualifications:

• College Diploma or University Degree in a mental health or addictions related field or a minimum of 3 years of experience in a direct-service role and some post-secondary education in a mental health or addictions related field (primary proof of credentials will be required during the hiring process i.e. original degree/diploma or official transcript)
• For Crisis Response Team, Valid Driver’s License: minimum G class is required
• For Crisis Call Diversion Team, Successful completion of a London Police Services security clearance
• For Crisis Call Diversion Team, Successful police interview and approval
• Current, satisfactory Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC)
• Demonstrated ability to attend work regularly

We prefer the following qualifications:

• Training in crisis intervention and crisis resolution, including ASIST
• Minimum of 3-5 years’ experience working in mental health
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in mental health crisis intervention
• Experience with, and detailed knowledge of, mild, moderate & serious mental illnesses, usually gained by several years of working with this population
• Experience working in a community-based setting; preferably with an established network of service & support resources
• Extensive knowledge of community resources, service & support programs, and barriers participants face in accessing same
• Working knowledge of a variety of treatment, intervention, and support strategies
• Bilingual in both official languages, preferred; Une préférence sera accordée aux personnes possédant des compétences dans les deux langues officielles du Canada

INTERNAL APPLICANTS: To be considered as an internal applicant, current staff members are reminded to apply using their @cmhatv.ca or @slwar.ca email address.

Get your application in by – November 24, 2026

Our recruitment process allows us to learn about your previous work experience, your qualifications and your commitment to fulfilling our vision. While we appreciate the interest of all applicants, only those individuals being considered for a position will be personally contacted by someone from the interview team.

We welcome and encourage applications from all members of our community including persons of any gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation, persons with disabilities, Indigenous persons, and members of visible minorities. If you require accommodations related to a disability at any point during the recruitment process, please contact [email protected]
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Legal Notifications:

• For legal purposes our full business name is: Canadian Mental Health Association Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services
• Artificial Intelligence is not currently employed in our recruitment processes