Community Support Worker, Mental Health, Substance Use Health and Addictions Program

Centretown Community Health Centre; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established community health center is seeking a dedicated Community Support Worker to join its Mental Health and Addictions team. This role involves engaging with clients facing chronic health issues and substance use disorders, providing essential support and care coordination. You will work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team to ensure clients receive the necessary resources and services. With a focus on dignity and respect, you will play a vital role in bridging gaps in care and enhancing the well-being of marginalized populations. If you are passionate about making a difference in the community, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• 3+ years relevant experience in social work or related field.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care and harm reduction principles.

Responsibilities

• Engage clients and assess care needs related to social determinants of health.
• Navigate clients to appropriate services and provide crisis intervention.

Skills

Crisis Intervention

Motivational Interviewing

Case Management

Communication Skills

Knowledge of Social Service Resources

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work

Equivalent combination of training and experience

Tools

Windows-based computer systems

MS Word

Job description

Position: Community Support Worker, Mental Health, Substance Use Health and Addictions Program

Description:

Summary
The Community Support Worker is part of Centretown Community Health Centre’s Mental Health and Addictions team and works closely with the Centre’s multidisciplinary Urban Health team to ensure wrap around services and care coordination for individuals with chronic health issues exacerbated by substance use disorders. The Community Support worker is skilled at engaging clients; assessing care needs related to social determinants of health; initiating and following up with care plans; and working collaboratively with other care team health professionals.The CSW’s primary responsibilities are to navigate clients to the appropriate services (information and referral) and/or provide short-term support and intervention for clients requiring assistance (care coordination / crisis intervention / housing support / financial support / information and referral / short-term counselling/harm reduction/practical assistance). The CSW proactively engages clients and ensures that clients are bridged to the appropriate services both internally (if applicable) and within the broader community. The CSW, as with all CCHC staff, is responsible for addressing barriers to service and ensuring that each unique individual who walks through CCHC doors is met with dignity, and respect and are provided the resources to meet their needs.

Requirements:

Essential

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or Social Science or equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Minimum three (3) years relevant experience
• Training and competencies in the support of people struggling with opioid use disorders/polysubstance use disorders
• Experience in providing case management services within a concurrent disorders framework
• Thorough knowledge of social service resources within Ottawa
• Thorough knowledge of rapid access to opioid management programs; Safe Consumption and Treatment Sites; Centralized Access for Addictions treatment services
• Demonstrated ability to provide crisis intervention and support
• Experience working with marginalized populations including: youth; 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals;newcomers; homeless; individuals with concurrent disorders; seniors
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams
• Knowledge of:
  • trauma-informed care
  • best practices related to concurrent disorders
  • harm reduction principles
  • recovery principles within mental health
  • 2SLGBTQIA+ issues / Trans Health services
• Demonstrated understanding of and experience with Motivational Interviewing
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Flexibility, excellent judgement and initiative
• Ability to work some evenings and weekends
• Proficient with Windows-based computer systems including email, MS Word and data base programs

Centretown Community Health Centre

Centretown Community Health Centre

Position: Community Support Worker, Mental Health, Substance Use Health and Addictions Program

Region: Ottawa

Description:

Summary
The Community Support Worker is part of Centretown Community Health Centre’s Mental Health and Addictions team and works closely with the Centre’s multidisciplinary Urban Health team to ensure wrap around services and care coordination for individuals with chronic health issues exacerbated by substance use disorders. The Community Support worker is skilled at engaging clients; assessing care needs related to social determinants of health; initiating and following up with care plans; and working collaboratively with other care team health professionals.The CSW’s primary responsibilities are to navigate clients to the appropriate services (information and referral) and/or provide short-term support and intervention for clients requiring assistance (care coordination / crisis intervention / housing support / financial support / information and referral / short-term counselling/harm reduction/practical assistance). The CSW proactively engages clients and ensures that clients are bridged to the appropriate services both internally (if applicable) and within the broader community. The CSW, as with all CCHC staff, is responsible for addressing barriers to service and ensuring that each unique individual who walks through CCHC doors is met with dignity, and respect and are provided the resources to meet their needs.

Requirements:

Essential

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or Social Science or equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Minimum three (3) years relevant experience
• Training and competencies in the support of people struggling with opioid use disorders/polysubstance use disorders
• Experience in providing case management services within a concurrent disorders framework
• Thorough knowledge of social service resources within Ottawa
• Thorough knowledge of rapid access to opioid management programs; Safe Consumption and Treatment Sites; Centralized Access for Addictions treatment services
• Demonstrated ability to provide crisis intervention and support
• Experience working with marginalized populations including: youth; 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals;newcomers; homeless; individuals with concurrent disorders; seniors
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams
• Knowledge of:
  • trauma-informed care
  • best practices related to concurrent disorders
  • harm reduction principles
  • recovery principles within mental health
  • 2SLGBTQIA+ issues / Trans Health services
• Demonstrated understanding of and experience with Motivational Interviewing
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Flexibility, excellent judgement and initiative
• Ability to work some evenings and weekends
• Proficient with Windows-based computer systems including email, MS Word and data base programs

Language designation:
English: Spoken & Written

Desirable (please clearly self-identify on your application):

• Lived experience related to mental health, substance use and/ or homelessness
• Identifies as member of Indigenous, Black and/ or racialized communities
• French : Spoken & Written
• Ability to communicate in any other language commonly spoken in catchment area

Salary: $ 32.91-$39.65 / hour

Terms of Employment: Term Full Time – Two Positions -6 Months contract

Deadline for Application: Friday, May 16, 2025

How to Apply:

Submit your letter of interest along with your résumé on or before May 16, 2025, by 11:59pm to [e-mail].

Please note the following:

• The subject line of your email should read “Community Support Worker ”
• The file name for your resume should read: “(last name)_(first name)_ Resume”
• The file name for your cover letter should read: “(last name)_(first name)_ Cover Letter”

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only applicants invited to an interview will be contacted.
Candidates requiring accommodation during the application and/or the interview process should contact usat [e-mail] so arrangements can be made.

CCHC is an equal opportunity employer andvalues diversity in its workforce and as such we encourage applications from individuals who reflect thebroad diversity of communities we work with.

Centretown CHC has a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy, as such applicants must be fullyvaccinated against Covid-19 and provide proof of vaccinations to be considered for employment.
Reasonable accommodation will be considered for persons with medical exemption or other exemptionsunder the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Location: Ottawa

Profession Type: Social Services (Social Workers, Counsellors)