Mental Health Care Aide - (221738)

Island Health; Victoria; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Victoria, Nova Scotia, is seeking a dedicated Mental Health Care Aide to support clients with severe addiction and mental illness. Responsibilities include assisting with daily living activities, providing therapeutic support, fostering client dignity, and contributing to rehabilitation efforts within a multidisciplinary team. Candidates should have a recognized Nursing Assistant qualification, experience with addictions, and effective communication skills. Relevant certifications, including a BC Driver's License, are required.

Qualifications

• Graduated from a Nursing Assistant program or Health Care aide program.
• Two years of experience working with addictions or mental illness consumers.
• Understanding of psychosocial rehabilitation principles.

Responsibilities

• Assist clients with daily living activities.
• Provide client-focused treatment and rehabilitation support.
• Motivate and instruct clients to foster self-care responsibilities.

Skills

Effective communication skills

Therapeutic rapport development

Team collaboration

Aggressive behaviour management

Judgment skills

Physical ability to perform duties

Equipment operation

Education

Graduation from a recognized Nursing Assistant program

Diploma in Community Social Services

Registration with the BC Care Aide Registry

Current Level C Basic Life Saving Certificate

Valid Class 5 vehicle license

Food Safe Certificate

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.
• Ability to operate related equipment.