Crisis Intervention Worker (Temp Full-Time 18 Month Contract) in Hamilton, Ontario at Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre
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Job Description
HAMILTON URBAN CORE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE
Strong Core Healthier Lives
Job Type: Temporary Full-time (18 Month Contract)
Position Type: On-Site/ Mobile Unit
Salary Range: $42,187.83 - $50,828.00
The Crisis Intervention Worker provides immediate crisis intervention, harm reduction support, and coordinated care to individuals experiencing acute mental health, substance use, and
psychosocial crises. Services are delivered at Hamilton Urban Core’s satellite located at 70 James St S and mobile health clinic, as well as within shelters, encampments, collocated community services, partner agency sites, and other community-based settings.
Working as part of a multidisciplinary and interprofessional team, the Crisis Intervention Worker delivers timely, responsive, trauma-informed, and person-centred care to individuals with complex and urgent needs, including those experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges, addictions, poverty, and social marginalization.
The role focuses on crisis de-escalation, urgent needs support, mental health stabilization, harm reduction, overdose response, health promotion, and enhancing overall well-being through direct support, advocacy, and collaboration with internal teams and external community partners. A key component of the role includes connecting individuals to services and supports available through the Hamilton HART Hub, including primary care, mental health and addictions services, counselling, treatment pathways, shelter transition beds and housing supports, case management, and recovery-oriented programming.
Operating within a health equity, anti-racism, anti-oppression, and culturally safe framework, the Crisis Intervention Worker supports stabilization during crises, facilitates referrals and service connections, and contributes to maintaining a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment that promotes dignity, recovery, and client-centred care.
Accountability
The Crisis Intervention Worker reports to the Substance Use Health Manager, with overall accountability to the Executive Director.
Key Responsibilities
Crisis Assessment & Intervention
- Provide immediate response to individuals experiencing mental health, substance use, or psychosocial crises
- Respond to overdose situations
- Conduct initial crisis assessments and implement appropriate de-escalation strategies
- Create a welcoming environment for individuals by accessing satellite and mobile health clinics
- Complete client intakes
- Support stabilization of clients using trauma-informed and recovery-oriented approaches
- Identify escalation risks and collaborate with clinical staff to determine appropriate next steps
- Provide supportive, person-centred engagement to individuals in distress
- Assist clients in developing coping strategies and self-regulation skills
- Promote harm reduction practices and recovery-oriented decision-making
- Support clients in maintaining dignity, autonomy, and choice during crisis situations
- Provide support and programming for clients
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members including nurses, counsellors, peer outreach workers and external service providers
- Participate in case discussions, and care planning processes
- Communicate relevant observations clearly, accurately, and in a timely manner
- Support referrals and linkages to community-based health and social services
- Maintain a safe, respectful, and supportive work environment
- Respond to urgent situations in accordance with organizational policies and procedures
- Complete required documentation, incident reporting, and shift notes accurately and promptly
- Follow infection prevention, harm reduction, and emergency response protocols
- Provide culturally safe, trauma-informed, and anti-oppressive care
- Demonstrate awareness of structural inequities including racism, colonialism, poverty, and housing instability
- Contribute to a workplace culture grounded in respect, inclusion, and accountability
- Support equitable access to care for all residents regardless of identity or lived experience
Performance Targets
TBD
Qualifications
- Diploma in Social Services, Mental Health, Harm Reduction, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Experience in crisis intervention, residential treatment, mental health, addictions, or supportive housing settings
- Strong knowledge of trauma-informed care, harm reduction principles, and de-escalation techniques
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively in high-pressure and emotionally complex environments
- Excellent communication, documentation, and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work within a multidisciplinary, shift-based 24/7 service environment
- Work is based on-site at the satellite location as well as mobile settings such as mobile health unit, and areas with active addictions, shelters, and encampments.
- Flexible scheduling is required, including days, evenings, overnights weekends, and participation in on-call rotations
- Exposure to high-stress and unpredictable crisis situations involving mental health emergencies, substance use, and behavioural concerns
- Physical demands may include prolonged standing, responding to emergencies, and supporting residents during crisis de-escalation
Benefits:
- 4% of Vacation and Benefits
- Company Events
- Company Pension
- On-Site Parking
- Employee Assistance Program
Hamilton Urban Core is committed to equity in employment.
While we appreciate every application only those selected for an interview will be contacted.