Position Details

Posting #: 32650

Department: Connect - Mental Health and Addiction Program

Employee Type: Temporary, Full Time

If Temporary, Number of Weeks: 36

Union: OPSEU

Openings Remaining: 1

Schedule

Work Days: Monday to Friday

Time of Day: Days

Shift: 7.5 hour

Shift Start: Hours are subject to change based on operational requirements.

This position may be scheduled at any of the following sites: West 5th Campus (Hamilton Mountain)

Application Dates

Opening Date: 23/10/2025

Closing Date: 30/10/2025 Applications must be received online by 12:00 midnight on the Closing Date

Position Description

Temporary assignment for approximately 9 months

Position Summary CONNECT MHAP is the centralized intake service at St. Joseph's for the Mental Health and Addiction Outpatient Programs. The service is responsible for all intake functions for outpatient referrals. The primary responsibility of the Intake Worker will be to contribute to the achievement of the following mandated core program functions: referral management, intake and screening; dispositioning; supportive counselling; care planning; education; system navigation; program and system development and evaluation. The Intake Worker position will work collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team to identify and prioritize an individual’s needs. The Intake Worker will be responsible for various referral management, screening, intake processes including: reviewing referrals, liaising with referral sources to obtain additional information when needed, working closely with outpatient clinics and other areas of the hospital, conducting risk assessments and safety planning as clinically indicated, obtaining necessary consents, completing brief telephone intake screens, clinical documentation, basic counselling to distressed caller, basic system navigation and providing support to clinicians responsible for referral disposition. This is a hybrid role that provides an opportunity to work both virtually and on-site. On-site requirements will be determined based on the needs of the service.

SJHH is committed to hiring individuals who represent the diversity of the population we serve. We strongly encourage applications from qualified candidates from all cultures, Indigenous, Black and racialized communities, people with lived experience of mental health and/or addictions challenges, people with diverse sexual and gender identities, people living with disabilities, and neurodivergent people. SJHH strives for a diverse, inclusive, accessible, and equitable workplace where all employees and volunteers feel valued and respected. As such, it is critical that applicants possess a strong understanding of client-centered, anti-racist, anti-oppressive practice.

Qualifications

• Degree in Clinical or Counselling Psychology, Social Work, Occupational Therapy
• If eligible for registration, member in good standing with relevant professional college/regulatory body (e.g. Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers)
• Minimum of 1-2 years previous experience working in the mental health field.
• Demonstrated knowledge and practiced skills in providing culturally safe and responsive mental health services to clients of diverse ethno-racial and cultural backgrounds is preferred.
• Experience working in a community-based or outpatient setting.
• Experience with screening, intake, triage and referral management processes in a mental health setting.
• Experience conducting risk assessments, safety planning and crisis intervention.
• Experience conducting brief intake assessments in person and by telephone.
• Knowledge of diagnostic categories and criteria as listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5),
• Knowledge of local and provincial mental health and addictions programs/services and experience providing service navigation based on client need and program availability.
• Demonstrated knowledge of relevant sections of legislation, e.g., Mental Health Act, Personal Health Information Protection Act, Regulated Health Professions Act, Health Care Consent Act, and professional standards to ensure compliance and consistency in provision of client care.
• Knowledge of emergency client care procedures as taught in Emergency First Response, Crisis Intervention and fire procedures to promote coordinated and consistent practices in response to emergency events, i.e. Code Blue; Code White, Code Red.
• Knowledge of program and hospital policies and procedures in order to practice within the expected standards of the organization and to recognize abnormal events that may affect client care, activities, or safety and need to be reported to a manager, in order to provide a safe environment for client and staff.
• Demonstrated knowledge and comfort with computer software to generate correspondence and input data for a variety of facility-wide tools e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, electronic health records.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively communicate with clients, family members, referral sources.
• Strong interpersonal skills to develop and maintain strong working relationships with clients, family members, referral sources, and community partners.
• Time management and organizational skills to effectively address and prioritize multiple tasks and timelines in a fast-paced environment.
• Attention to detail in collecting and documenting client and program information.
• Experience and comfort in providing services virtually and/or by telephone.
• Ability to work with clients from diverse ethno-racial and cultural backgrounds.
• Passionate about contributing to positive social change and commitment to anti-oppression and anti-racism to reduce health disparities and promote health equity.
• Fluency in French and/or proficiency in a second language is considered an asset.
• Good work performance and attendance record are essential

Responsibilities

• Contact PCPs, other healthcare/non-healthcare providers or client if further information/clarification is required.
• Ensure appropriate client consent(s) are received/complete (e.g. consent to email/leave voicemail etc.).
• Distribute client intake questionnaires and monitor/follow-up for completion, when appropriate.
• Contribute to service navigation resource development and provide basic service navigation for clients deemed not suitable; assist in communicating service recommendations to referral source and/or client.
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation of referral information and referral status as referral progresses through the screening, triage and intake process.
• Provide basic counselling to distressed caller – provide reassurance, support, and validation
• Maintain confidentiality and release of information in accordance with hospital policies and provincial legislation.
• Actively incorporate anti-racist, anti-oppressive practices and principles at all levels of care.
• Complete intake calls with client to review referral/completed measures, provide information about MHAP services, obtain additional information (if required), and conduct risk assessment and safety planning (as indicated).
• Reviews and screens referrals to identify the appropriate service for assessment and/or treatment for uncomplicated mental health concerns. Collaborate with mental health clinicians for more complex mental health concerns.
• Communicate scheduled appointment details to client, referral source and clinician, when required
• Support administrative assistants in receiving/responding to incoming telephone calls and emails
• Assist the Program Manager and supervisor on specific Connect related, as required.
• Assist clients in the completion of screening questions, when required.
• Support Connect Mental Health Workers, as required.

St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton (SJHH) is an equal opportunity employer and strives for equity, inclusiveness, and diversity in all our programs, practices, facilities, and people. We foster a culture of patient and staff safety where all positions comply and work in conjunction with the Mission, Vision, and Core Values of SJHH . We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. SJHH is committed to a barrier-free recruitment and selection process - please inform us should accommodation be required at any point in the recruitment process.