UNION JOB RE-POSTING # 801
COAST Mental Health Worker
Immediate & Brief Services
No guaranteed hours; hours vary
About CMHA Niagara
CMHA, Niagara is a non-profit, charitable organization committed to promoting mental wellness and to improving the lives of people in its service area who have mental illness as well as their families. CMHA Niagara achieves its mission through a number of programs and services.
CMHA, Niagara is committed to a recovery philosophy which focuses on the potential for people with mental illness to lead full, productive and engaged lives in their communities. The Branch works in partnership with many others who share in the commitment to supporting the broad determinants of health.
Position Summary
The Community Outreach and Support Team (COAST) Mental Health Worker provides mobile urgent response service and telephone support to individuals who are in crisis in the Niagara Community. The intent is to ensure client safety, to encourage empowerment, and provide crisis resolution and prevention, within a recovery framework which integrates the client into their community with supports.
The successful candidate must be available to pick up shifts on an as-needed (to cover sick/vacation/leave and Statutory Holidays) basis; availability to accept shifts is a condition of employment.
Essential Job Functions
- Provide individuals with serious mental health concerns with a range of accessible services which include outreach assessments, telephone support, referrals and interventions to prevent further crisis
- Complete Mobile Outreach Assessments and respond to telephone crisis calls as required
- Assess risk in both outreach environments and through telephone support
- Assist in identifying and developing strategies to prevent further crisis and engage individuals with ongoing supports and treatment
- Work in collaboration with police and community partners to build an effective community crisis network
- Work in collaboration internally with other program staff to ensure effective and efficient program delivery and administration
- Support caregivers, including family members, in managing acute psychiatric issues and crisis through education and problem solving approaches
- Build positive relationships with communities and agencies to become mutual resources
- Respond to telephone, in person, electronic enquiries and/or forward to appropriate person
- Provide general information to the public including distribution of pamphlets, cards and other relevant information
- Ensure accurate and timely reports, data entry and documentation in relevant systems (i.e. CRMS)
- Conduct cross service/sector linkages and act as a liaison by consulting with family members and other professionals (e.g. psychiatrist, Emergency Department physicians, nursing/allied staff, and community agencies), in direct collaboration and with the consent of the individual being served for the purposes of promoting positive change and independence
Essential Job Requirements
- Masters or Bachelor Degree in Nursing, Social Work or Occupational Therapy (other degrees with relevant experience may be considered)
- Registered as either a Registered Social Worker, Registered Social Service Worker, Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Registered Practical Nurse, Registered Psychotherapist or Registered Occupational Therapist in good standing and adheres to all standards of practice as per the College
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in crisis/community mental health & addiction setting providing assessment, consultation, treatment and education to target population
- Clinical knowledge and experience in application of clinical therapeutic techniques
- Certified in the following safety courses: Crisis Intervention ((i.e. NVCI, Safety Care, CPI or Safe Management), Standard First Aid - CPR C – AED, Suicide Prevention (ASIST); and Use of Force training
- Demonstrated knowledge of relevant legislation (e.g. the Mental Health Act), the use of psychotropic medication, psychiatric diagnosis and formulation of a mental health assessment for a diverse age group and population
- Knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal Community and Aboriginal Based Services
- Must have access to a reliable personal vehicle
- Current valid class ‘G’ driver’s license
- A satisfactory high-level police screening
- Actual life experience and/or lived experience with mental illness or addictions an asset
- Bilingualism, particularly proficiency in French, would be considered a valuable asset
CMHA Niagara is a culturally competent organization and is committed to building an inclusive community that respects the dignity and independence of candidates with multicultural and diverse backgrounds, multilingual abilities, and experience with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Candidates with this background would be considered an asset.
CMHA Niagara is committed to providing accommodation for persons with disabilities. Please see the AODA section of our website at, www.cmhaniagara.ca for further details or contact our Human Resources department for any information in an alternate format.
If you are interested in applying for this position, it is your responsibility to ensure your application is received by Human Resources no later than 4:00 p.m. on August 26, 2026.
Our Mission
Our purpose is to strengthen mental wellness in the Niagara community.
Our Vision
A Niagara where mental health is recognized, supported and optimized.
Our Values
Our core values will be embedded in everything we do. They will guide and define how we work with each other, our partners, and our clients and their supports, to enhance access to mental health and addictions supports in Niagara: adaptive, collaboration, ethics and integrity, people-centred, safety and belonging, social justice.
Preferred
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5 year(s): Experience in crisis/community mental health & addictions - providing assessment, consultation, treatment and education to a target population
Preferred
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Bachelor's degree or better in Occupational Therapy
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Master's degree or better in Occupational Therapy
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Bachelor's degree or better in Nursing or related field
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Master's degree or better in Nursing or related field
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Bachelor's degree or better in Social Work or related field
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Master's degree or better in Social Work or related field
Required
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Car Insurance
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Driver's License
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Police Check
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ASIST
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Crisis Intervention
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First Aid/CPR/AED
