Crisis Support Worker (Safe Beds & Community Response Team)

Job summary

Provide crisis intervention, stabilization, and short-term support to individuals experiencing mental health or substance use crises in residential and community settings. Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to conduct risk assessments, safety planning, and service coordination while maintaining a recovery-oriented environment.

Job details

JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: Crisis Support Worker ( Safe Beds & Community Response Team) Job Type: Casual Department: Crisis Services Location: Oakville, ON Hours: Casual hours based on operational needs. Must be available to work a variety of shifts, including days, evenings, nights, weekends, and statutory holidays. Target Hiring Range: $30.00 to $34.00 per hour About Us The Canadian Mental Health Association, Halton Region (CMHA Halton) is a leading provider of adult and youth mental health services in the Region of Halton. We are driven by our cause to provide responsive mental health for everyone through equitable services targeted for people living with mental health and/or substance use concerns. Why Work for CMHA Halton CMHA Halton offers a supportive team environment, flexible work environment, training opportunities, competitive vacation package and comprehensive benefits/pension package. We have an enthusiastic team who are dedicated to supporting individuals with mental health concerns within a client-focused environment. Individuals seeking new challenges and opportunities for professional growth are encouraged to apply. CHMA Halton strives to build an inclusive culture with a staff group that represents the diversity of the people and communities we serve. We are committed to reducing systemic barriers to employment and our services that have traditionally impacted members from the following groups, Black, Indigenous People, and other racially visible persons, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and persons with disabilities. If you are a member of one of these equity-seeking groups, you are encouraged to self-identify in your cover letter or your resume. Please also feel free to identify your preferred pronouns when applying. Role Overview CMHA Halton is seeking Casual Crisis Support Worker ( Safe Beds & Community Response Team) to provide coverage across our Crisis Services programs, including crisis outreach, and the Safe Beds Program. This position provides direct support to individuals experiencing mental health and/or substance use crises in both community and residential settings. The successful candidate will work as part of an interdisciplinary crisis team providing crisis intervention, risk assessment, safety planning, case management, service coordination, and recovery-focused support. The Safe Beds Program is a five-bed, short-term residential crisis support program designed to divert individuals experiencing a mental health and/or addictions crisis from unnecessary hospitalization, incarceration, or involvement with the justice system. The Crisis Intervention & Support Worker may also participate in crisis outreach services, including community-based assessments and crisis response initiatives in collaboration with internal teams and community partners. This position is fully in-person and requires regular on-site presence within CMHA Halton programs and throughout the Halton Region as operationally required. Key Responsibilities * Provide crisis intervention, de-escalation, stabilization, and short-term support to individuals experiencing mental health and/or substance use crises. * Conduct intake, screening, assessment, risk evaluations, safety planning, crisis planning, and discharge planning. * Complete mental status examinations and assess risk in residential, community, and outreach settings. * Coordinate services, advocate on behalf of clients, and support recovery and stabilization goals. * Support clients using recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and harm reduction approaches. * Engage clients in crisis planning, recovery planning, and service navigation. * Facilitate referrals and connections to community-based mental health, addiction, housing, income support, and healthcare services. * Collaborate with CMHA crisis teams, healthcare providers, police services, and community partners. * Participate in daily case reviews, program meetings, shift handovers, and risk assessments. * Support clients with activities of daily living, medication monitoring, and goal attainment as required. * Facilitate individual and group programming focused on recovery, wellness, and skill development. * Maintain a safe, respectful, and recovery-oriented residential environment. * Complete required documentation in accordance with agency standards and professional requirements. * Assist with program operations including light housekeeping, meal preparation, laundry, and room preparation where required. * Participate in orientation, training, committee work, and quality improvement initiatives. * Perform other duties as assigned. Qualifications: * Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Social Sciences, Human Services, or a related field. * Minimum three (3) to five (5) years' experience in mental health, addictions, crisis intervention, housing, community services, or a related sector. * Experience supporting individuals with complex mental health, substance use, concurrent disorders, dual diagnosis, or justice-involved needs. * Registration with a regulated professional college (e.g., OCSSWSSW, CNO, CPBAO) is preferred. * Demonstrated experience in crisis intervention, crisis management, and face-to-face de-escalation. * Strong assessment, risk management, consultation, and case management skills. * Knowledge of trauma-informed practice, psychosocial rehabilitation, recovery-oriented care, motivational interviewing, and harm reduction principles. * Knowledge of psychiatric symptomology, suicide risk assessment, and psychiatric medications. * Knowledge of relevant legislation, including the Mental Health Act. * Strong understanding of the social determinants of health, including poverty, homelessness, trauma, and systemic barriers. * Knowledge of community mental health, addiction, housing, and justice-related services within Halton Region. * Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team. * Excellent communication, documentation, and interpersonal skills. * Strong conflict resolution, problem-solving, and relationship-building abilities. * Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications. * Experience using EMHware and OCAN is considered an asset. * Current First Aid, CPR, and ASIST certifications are considered assets. * Ability to communicate in a second language is considered an asset. * Housing and residential support experience is considered an asset. * Valid Ontario Class G Driver's Licence and access to a reliable vehicle with a minimum of $2 million liability insurance. * Successful completion of a Vulnerable Sector Criminal Record Check upon hire. Working Conditions * Fully in-person, on-site role. * Casual staff must be available to workdays, evenings, nights, weekends, and statutory holidays. * Work may occur in residential, community, outreach, and office-based settings. * Frequent interaction with individuals experiencing acute mental health and/or substance use crises. * Ability to respond effectively in high-pressure and rapidly changing situations. * Regular computer, documentation, and telephone use. * Occasional client transportation may be required. CMHA Halton will support any accommodation that may be required for you to actively participate in the recruitment process. Please email careers@cmhahrb.ca if you wish to review this job posting in an alternative format or if you would like to request an accommodation. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Thank you for your interest in CMHA Halton. CMHA Halton does not use artificial intelligence (AI) or automated decision‑making technologies in any part of our recruitment or selection processes. All hiring decisions are made by our People & Culture team and trained hiring managers, who carefully review each application to ensure a fair, equitable, and human‑centered assessment. We are committed to transparency, privacy, and ethical hiring practices, and we ensure that every candidate is evaluated by real people who bring thoughtful judgment, inclusivity, and care to our recruitment practices. This posting is intended to fill an existing vacancy within the agency.

What you’ll do

Provide crisis intervention, stabilization, and short-term support to individuals experiencing mental health or substance use crises in residential and community settings. Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to conduct risk assessments, safety planning, and service coordination while maintaining a recovery-oriented environment.

Requirements

Requires a bachelor's degree in a related field and three to five years of experience in mental health, addictions, or crisis intervention. Candidates must possess strong assessment skills, knowledge of relevant legislation, and the ability to work in-person across various shifts.

Benefits

• Competitive vacation package
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Pension package
• Training opportunities

Listed skills

• crisis intervention · Preferred
• Mental Health Support · Preferred
• interdisciplinary collaboration · Preferred
• case management · Preferred
• Documentation · Preferred
• Conflict Resolution · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Crisis intervention
• Risk assessment
• Safety planning
• Case management
• De-escalation
• Mental health support
• Substance use support
• Trauma-informed care
• Harm reduction
• Service coordination
• Documentation
• Conflict resolution
• Interdisciplinary collaboration
• Motivational interviewing
• Psychosocial rehabilitation
• Community Outreach
• Medication Monitoring
• Meal Planning And Preparation
• Community Mental Health
• De-escalation Techniques
• Social Determinants Of Health
• Motivational Interviewing
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification
• First Aid Certification
• Advocacy
• Ethical Standards And Conduct
• Cultural Responsiveness
• Planning
• Discharge Planning
• Quality Improvement
• Psychiatry
• Artificial Intelligence
• Mental Health
• Case Management
• Social Work
• Housekeeping
• Customer Service
• Community Mental Health Services
• Communication
• Conflict Resolution
• Crisis Intervention
• Crisis Management
• Disabilities
• Dual Diagnosis
• Occupational Therapy
• Liability Insurance
• Human Services
• Interpersonal Communications
• Problem Solving
• Risk Management

Job areas

• Social Services
• Healthcare
• Community Support Worker
• Mental / Behavioral Health Counselor
• Social Work and Counselling Professionals
• Mental Health Counselors
• Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors

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