Crisis Response Worker – ANCHOR (Alternate Neighbourhood Crisis Response)

Centretown Community Health Centre; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established community health organization is seeking a dedicated Crisis Response Worker for an innovative pilot project. This role involves providing compassionate, community-based responses to individuals experiencing mental health and substance use crises. The successful candidate will work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team, employing anti-racist and harm reduction frameworks to ensure equitable access to care. This position requires flexibility, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to supporting marginalized populations. Join us in making a meaningful impact in the community while working in a dynamic and supportive environment.

Benefits

Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)

Flexible work hours

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• 3-5 years experience in crisis intervention and working with mental health issues.
• Post-secondary degree in health care or social sciences is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide urgent, compassionate responses to individuals in crisis.
• Engage individuals and assess the appropriate level of intervention.

Skills

Crisis Intervention

De-escalation Skills

Motivational Interviewing

Communication Skills

Systems Navigation

Advocacy

Trauma-Informed Care

Cultural Competency

Education

Post-secondary degree in health care or social sciences

3-5 years experience in crisis intervention

Tools

Windows-based computer systems

Electronic Medical Records

Job description

Crisis Response Worker – ANCHOR (Alternate Neighbourhood Crisis Response)

Pay Scale

$ 32.92 to $ 39.66 hourly

Pension and Benefits

Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)/ including some benefits

Application Deadline

May 24, 2025 at 3:59:00 a.m.

About the Role

The ANCHOR Team is an innovative pilot project that will provide a community-based, non-police response and follow-up for individuals experiencing crises in the Centretown and Somerset West catchment areas. The project is a collaborative initiative. Partners include Centretown and Somerset West Community Health Centre, the City of Ottawa, the Ottawa Guiding Council on Mental Health and Addictions, Community Navigation of Eastern Ontario (CNEO) and other community stakeholders.

Reporting to the Manager, ANCHOR Team, and under the supervision of Team Leads, the Crisis Response Workers are responsible for direct response to calls for service as assessed and triaged by operators at 911 and 211.

The ANCHOR pilot will bring staff from two community health centres together as one team. Both CHCs are committed to working together in an integrated fashion to ensure seamless coordinated supervision of and support to staff, and care to clients. This position will require evening, overnight and weekend shifts.
The Crisis Response workers (CRWs) will work directly with individuals who either self-identify or whose behaviours indicate they are experiencing a crisis related to their mental health, substance use or both. The CRWs will use anti-racist, anti-oppressive and harm reduction frameworks in assessing, de-escalating and responding to situations they encounter. Exercising sound clinical judgement, coupled with a high level of mental health and substance use experience and de-escalation skills, the CRW ensures excellent client care and community responsiveness.

The CRW’ s primary responsibility is to provide an urgent, compassionate response to people facing multiple barriers to care due to inequities related to social determinants of health, who would benefit from a community-based response and are not in need of intervention from police or paramedics. The CRW engages individuals and assesses the appropriate level of intervention and support required. The CRW- ANCHOR is skilled at systems navigation and has a high level of knowledge of the key resources and services available to support the needs and goals of clients. They are skilled at advocating with and for clients to ensure equitable access to care and support. Excellent collaborative and relationship building skills ensure the ability to engage program partners, stakeholders and community resources to support and stabilise the individual in crisis. Crisis Response Workers will be based out of Centretown and/ or Somerset West Community Health Centre main locations but will spend the majority of their time in the community. The abilities to drive a Centre vehicle and provide a clean driving abstract are required.

Location of work: Centretown Community Health Centre / Somerset West CHC and surrounding catchment areas.

Requirements

Here's what we're looking for in our ideal candidate:

Ability to work evenings, overnights and weekends

Driver’s License (G class) and private insurance required to operate motor vehicle

Post-secondary degree in health care, social sciences or a related field, or equivalent combination of training, lived and professional experience.

3-5 years relevant experience in assertive engagement, crisis intervention, working with people who are living with mental health and substance use concerns.

Additional training in areas relevant to the position, including

trauma-informed care

best practices related to concurrent disorders

recovery principles within mental health

LGBT2SQ+ issues / Trans Health services

Refugee and immigration issues, settlement services

Issues relating to gender-based and intimate partner violence; safety planning

Demonstrated understanding of and experience with de-escalation and Motivational Interviewing

Extensive experience, skills and knowledge in working with individuals living with complex mental health, substance use health and chronic health issues.

High level of knowledge related to trauma, mental health and substance use health disorders

Experience in providing outreach and crisis response services within a substance use health framework

Thorough knowledge of social and health service resources within Ottawa

Thorough knowledge of rapid access to community resources related to mental health, substance use health and basic needs, including opioid management programs; harm reduction services; Consumption and Treatment Sites; counselling services; drop ins and food banks; shelters and housing resources; domestic violence resources; newcomer and cultural services.

Demonstrated ability to provide crisis intervention and support

Experience working with equity deserving populations including: youth, LGBT2SQ+ individuals, newcomers; individuals who are unhoused or precariously housed; individuals with concurrent disorders; seniors

Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams

Demonstrated ability to work with marginalized populations within a trauma-informed, anti-racist and anti-oppressive lens

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Flexibility, clinical judgement, initiative and ability to work in a fast-paced environment

Demonstrated effective relational skills, including the use of de-escalation, motivational interviewing, cognitive behaviour therapy and other communication and relational tools, to engage with clients and determine goals of care.

Knowledge of required provincial, federal and municipal programs relevant to populations served, e.g. housing, ID, immigration status, social assistance, etc.

Ability to work well independently and as part of multidisciplinary team

Demonstrated flexibility and effectiveness within a rapidly changing environment, short deadlines and multiple priorities

Exceptional attention to detail

Knowledge of acute symptoms related to serious mental illness and/or substance use; and residual effects of major mental illness

Demonstrated ability to deal effectively with challenging situations, maintain healthy boundaries and exhibit sound judgement for personal, team and client safety

Proficient with Windows-based computer systems and mobile applications, including email and database programs and Electronic Medical Records.

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 areas

Start Date

As soon as possible

How to “Express an Interest” for this Opportunity:

Submit your letter of interest along with your resume on or before May 23, 2025 by 11:59pm to [e-mail] .

Please note the following:

The subject line of your email should read “Casual Crisis Response Worker – ANCHOR”

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 us at [e-mail] so arrangements can be made. CCHC is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in its workforce and as such we encourage applications from individuals who reflect the broad diversity of communities we work with.

Centretown CHC has a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy, as such applicants must be fully vaccinated 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 exemptions under the Ontario Human Rights Code.