Community Mental Health Outreach Worker - Safer Opioid Supply Program

About this position

Community Mental Health Outreach Worker
Safer Opioid Supply Program (SOS)
Temporary Contract Position – Internal/External Posting

One (1) Full-Time Contract Position (37.5 hours per week)

* Estimated Contract Start Date – ASAP * Contract End Date – March 31, 2024 *

Street Health is a community-based agency providing innovative physical and mental health programs and advocacy to homeless and insecurely housed individuals in downtown Toronto for over 30 years.  Street Health, a not-for-profit organization located within the downtown-east neighborhood of Toronto, works to improve the health and wellbeing of people who are homeless and under-housed by addressing the social determinants of health. Our organization provides services in the areas of innovative nursing, mental health, harm reduction, Overdose prevention, Safer Supply, outreach, identification replacement programs, and through advocacy, research, and education.

This position will support the Safer Opioid Supply (SOS) Program, which is a federally-funded initiative taking place in collaboration with other downtown-east Toronto community-based agencies that provides lifesaving services to people who use substances by providing alternative therapies and managing the comprehensive healthcare of clients.

Responsibilities of the position include, but may not be limited to:
 

• Works closely with multi-disciplinary members of the Safer Supply team, and community mental health workers and provides short-term case management to connect clients in the SOS program to basic needs such as housing, healthcare and income.
• Builds relationships with clients in the safety supply program, many of whom may be experiencing homelessness and mental health issues and who have a history of substance use.
• Provides prompt follow-up and communication within the circle of care, to ensure that clients are appropriately supported and connected with the program.
• Provides informal counselling and emotional support, runs psychoeducational groups, and provides information and referrals to community resources in order to support clients’ goals.
• Provides support to projects involving mental health and harm reductions, including administrative duties, collecting statistical information, charting and other record keeping as required.
• Candidates must be willing to participate in progressive, systemic advocacy consistent with Street Health’s mission & values as well as participate in other Street Health activities.
• All other duties as may be assigned within the scope of this position.

Qualifications & Requirements: 

• Degree/diploma in health, social work or related field, or equivalent job experience.
• Minimum 4 years’ case management experience working in the community mental health sector particularly with people who use substances and may have other concerns such as homelessness and mental health concerns.    
• Demonstrated knowledge of and commitment to harm reduction practices.
• Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certificate (CPR).
• Critical awareness of and sensitivity to the systemic issues that affect marginalized populations.
• Experience providing trauma informed counselling.
• Demonstrated crisis intervention skills and training.
• Broad knowledge of dual diagnosis & concurrent disorders as well as alternative models and approaches to mental health treatment.
• Extensive knowledge of criminal justice system, Ontario Works, and the Ontario Disability Support Program.
• Experience working with persons of diverse backgrounds and orientations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; strong computer skills and experience using database software.
• Essential qualities include: flexibility within job description, resourcefulness, open mindedness; ability to multi task  and participate fully within a team setting
• Ability to carry out duties independently while maintaining accountability to agency.
• Personal experience with the mental health system or lived experience is considered an asset.
• Valid CPR certification or ability to obtain certification within the first 3 months of employment.
• Successful police services Vulnerable Sector Screening Check.

Don’t meet every single qualification? If you are intrigued and excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in this job posting, we encourage you to apply anyway. You might just be the right candidate we have been searching for to join our team! Research has shown that people of colour, women and members of other equity deserving groups are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. Street Health is committed to building a diverse and authentic organization and we welcome your application.

Position Type:                        Full-time, Contract, Bargaining Unit

Salary:                                    $37.79 per hour

Work Hours:                           9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday

Work Location:                       Downtown East Toronto; Dundas Street East

Reports to:                              Kelly White, Manager, Harm Reduction Programs

Posting Date:                          Thursday September 21, 2023

Application Deadline:             Monday October 10, 2023

Application Method:               Please submit a cover letter and resume by 5:00 p.m., on Monday October 10, 2023, to employment@streethealth.ca .
Please quote “CMHOWSOS_3223” in the subject line of the email.

Street Health is committed to diversity, equity & inclusion and developing a workforce that is reflective of the communities and clients that we work with. We strongly encourage applications from members of equity deserving groups including but not limited to; people with lived and/or living experience, Black people, Indigenous Peoples, racialized communities, LGBTQ2SIA+ people, people with disabilities, and people with marginalized identities.

Street Health is committed to providing accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA). Applicants are asked to make accommodation requests by email to employment@streethealth.ca and include the subject term ‘Accessibility’, or via telephone to 416-921-8668 ext. 228. Street Health will make every effort to ensure that reasonable accommodation requests are available throughout the recruitment process.

All candidates offered a position at Street Health must be fully vaccinated according to Street Health’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, Nov 2021, and proof of vaccination is required as a condition of employment.
Street Health will comply with its Human Rights obligations and accommodate employees who are legally entitled to accommodation.