Mental Health Care Aide

Vancouver Island Health Authority; Victoria; On-site; CAD 46,000 - 49,000; Part time

Job summary

Vancouver Island Health Authority (Island Health) is seeking a Mental Health Care Aide to support individuals with addictions and mental illness in residential/community settings. You will help with daily living activities, monitor conditions, and assist in planning and delivering services within the program guidelines.

The role emphasizes client safety, team collaboration, and ongoing assessment, with travel between multiple sites and a requirement for a Criminal Record Check.

Qualifications

• Graduation from a recognized Nursing Assistant program such as a Health Care Aide program.
• A diploma in Community Social Services or equivalent training in counseling skills.
• Registration with the BC Care Aide Registry; current Life Saving certificate.
• Valid Class 5 driver's license; Food Safe certificate.

Responsibilities

• Provide client-focused treatment, rehabilitation and support for persons with addictions and mental illness.
• Promote a safe, healthy, non-threatening environment in the facility.
• Assist in planning, development, implementation and modification of clinical services.
• Motivate and instruct clients in activities of daily living.
• Escort clients to off-site programs and appointments; report conditions and reactions to medications.
• Assess clients' ability to assume self-care responsibilities.

Skills

Communication

Therapeutic rapport

Teamwork

Behavior management

Judgment

Driver's License

Physical ability

Education

Nursing Assistant program

Diploma in Community Social Services

Counseling skills training

Registration with BC Care Aide Registry

Level C Basic Life Saving Certificate

Food Safe Certificate

Job description

Work Area (FBA Only)

Multi-Site

No

Travel Requirement

Travel between multiple sites may be required

Shift Start Time/End Time

0700-1500, 1500-2300, 2300-0700, as required

Days Off

As required

Vacancy Type

Casual

Salary Range (Hourly Rate)

$33.49 - $35.31

Paid FTE

N/A

Worked BI-WEEKLY HOURS

N/A

Planned Start Date

Sep. 14 2026

Approximate End Date (For Temporary Assignments ONLY)

Pending Return of Incumbent

No

CRC required? (employee will be working with or have access to children or vulnerable adults and requires a Criminal Record Check)

Yes

Job Description

In accordance with the Vision, Purpose, and Values, and strategic direction of the Vancouver Island Health Authority (Island Health), patient and staff safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone; as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

Reporting to the Manager or designate, the Mental Health Care Aide participates in the provision of client-focused treatment, rehabilitation and support for persons with severe addiction and mental illness in a residential, community-based facility. Promotes a safe, healthy and non-threatening environment that instills a sense of dignity and self-respect. Participates in the planning, development, implementation, delivery, and modification of clinical services by responding to identified client needs, within the program's guidelines. Motivates, assists, and instructs clients with the activities of daily living, reports clients' conditions, including reactions to medications. Escorts clients to off-site programs, appointments and other planned events. Assesses clients' ability to assume self-care responsibility.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education, Training And Experience

Graduation from a recognized Nursing Assistant program such as a Health Care aide program and a diploma in Community Social Services, e.g. Mental Health Worker, Community Health Worker, or Social Services Worker including post-secondary education in counseling skills training or a minimum of two years recent related experience working with persons with addictions and/or mental illness including the provision of personal care, teaching life skills, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Understanding of the principles of psychosocial rehabilitation, using a client-centered approach. Registration with the BC Care Aide Registry. Current Level C Basic Life Saving Certificate. Valid Class 5 vehicle license. Food Safe Certificate.

Skills And Abilities

• Ability to communicate orally and in writing.
• Ability to develop and maintain therapeutic rapport with clients and employ such rapport to enable clients to understand their illness and the rehabilitation process.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to employ aggressive behaviour management techniques.
• Ability to exercise judgment in keeping with program philosophy, when supervisor is unavailable for consultation.
• Must hold a valid BC Driver's License and if required, must be able to obtain a class 4 Driver's License.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.