Addiction and Mental Health Worker, Crisis Centre First Contact in London, Ontario at CMHA Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services

Addiction and Mental Health Worker, Crisis Centre First Contact
Direct Service - (OPSEU)
Full-Time, Permanent (Benefitted)

This posting is the result of a current vacancy.
London, Ontario (London Zone)
- Application Deadline: September 21, 2026 -

We believe when individuals in our community experience an urgent mental health or addictions crisis, they deserve a response that is person-centred and supportive, while focusing on personal dignity and wellbeing.

The Addiction and Mental Health Worker, First Contact will provide short-term support for participants attending their site. The Addiction and Mental Health Worker will ensure the safety of participants, encourage empowerment and support crisis resolution while maintaining a calm and respectful environment for all.

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):
  • 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
  • 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
  • Premiums of $2.00 per hour will be applied for eligible Evening/Night (8:00pm – 7:00am) and Weekend Shifts.
• When you'll work - 70 hours biweekly; overnight shifts, including scheduled weekends
• Your pension plan –Immediately enrolled in the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)
• What your benefits will be –After a 90-day waiting period, will be enrolled in extended healthcare benefits

HOW YOU WILL BE MAKING A DIFFERENCE:

Direct Service

• Respond to in-person and phone referrals for service
• Work collaboratively with referral sources to ensure a smooth transition to services for clients
• Contribute to a welcoming and supportive environment for participants attending the site
• Complete mental health and addictions assessments and interventions based on the theory of crisis management including rapid response, risk assessment, de-escalation, stabilization, and referral to determine participant needs and level of risk
• Utilize interventions consistent with a harm reduction approach for participants with substance abuse problems
• Establish a therapeutic relationship to maximize the benefits of engagement between the staff person and the client
• Provide short-term follow-up support to bridge the gap from referral to engagement with a longer-term support service as needed
• In partnership with the client being served, coordinate and facilitate linkages to appropriate services and supports in the community
• Advocate as necessary in order to facilitate access to services and supports with the objective of remediating the immediate crisis situation
• Provide information regarding resources found within both the broader mental health system and the community in general
• Engage Emergency Services when it is determined that additional intervention is required
• When appropriate, act as a liaison with caregivers and/or support providers who are involved with the participant to facilitate a coordinated approach to service provision
• Provide referrals to other services within the organization such as the CAT team and Transitional Case Management Team, as necessary
• Provide health teaching and information regarding a variety of coping techniques and strategies, e.g. grounding, breathing techniques, self-care, nutrition, sleep hygiene, techniques to enhance overall well-being, the completion of crisis plans

Crisis Intervention & Follow Up:

• 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 related to substance use
• Refer individuals for additional assessments as is determined to be necessary and/or appropriate
• Assist individuals in identifying and connecting with personal, natural, and professional support to promote overall well-being
• Provide follow-up support and/or check ins to bridge the gap from referral to engagement with a longer-term support service as appropriate
• Facilitate debriefing sessions for individuals and groups

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 2-4 weeks to be processed and offers of employment cannot be made without receipt of a PVSC.

We require the following qualifications:

• Degree or diploma in a mental health or addictions related field, or a degree or diploma in an unrelated field with a minimum of three years’ employment experience in a direct-service mental health and addictions role (primary proof of credentials will be required during the hiring process i.e. original degree/diploma or official transcript)
• Current, satisfactory Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC)
• Demonstrated ability to attend work regularly

We prefer the following qualifications:

• First Aid & CPR, WHMIS Training
• Training in crisis intervention and crisis resolution, including ASIST
• 3 years’ experience working in mental health
• 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
• 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 – September 21, 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 Human.Resources@cmhatv.ca

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