Mental Health Worker

Vancouver Island Health Authority; Nanaimo; On-site; CAD 45,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Vancouver Island Health Authority is seeking a Casual Mental Health Worker to support clients with mental illness in residential and community-based facilities. You will assist with daily living activities, monitor client conditions, and coordinate transport to off-site programs.

Reporting to management, you will participate in planning and delivering client-centered care, promoting safety and dignity, with responsibilities including documentation and collaboration in a multidisciplinary team.

Qualifications

• Diploma in Community Social Services or equivalent with counseling training.
• Knowledge of Mental Health Act and Guardianship Act.
• Minimum two years of related experience with mental illness and life skills teaching.
• CPR/First Aid knowledge or certification is expected.
• Valid Class 5 Driver’s Licence and Food Safe Certificate.

Responsibilities

• Participate in planning, development, and delivery of clinical services per program guidelines.
• Motivate, assist and instruct clients with activities of daily living.
• Escort clients to off-site programs, appointments and events.
• Assess clients' ability to assume self-care responsibilities and report conditions.

Skills

Therapeutic rapport

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Behavior management

Judgment under supervision

Driver's license

Physical endurance

Education

Diploma in Community Social Services

Post-secondary education in counseling skills training

Current Level C Basic Life Saving Certificate

Valid Class 5 driver’s license

Food Safe Certificate

Job description

Work Area (FBA Only)

Multi-Site

Yes

Travel Requirement

Travel between multiple sites may be required

Shift Start Time/End Time

as required, 0700-1900 and 1900-0700

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

Oct. 13 2026

Approximate End Date (For Temporary Assignments ONLY)

Pending Return of Incumbent

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 Worker participates in the provision of client-focused treatment, rehabilitation and support for persons with 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

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. Knowledge of legislation such as the Mental Health Act and the Guardianship Act. Knowledge of available programs, their interrelationships, and their function in delivering care in the community. Understanding of the principles of psychosocial rehabilitation, using a client-centred approach. A minimum of two years recent related experience working with persons with mental illness including teaching life skills, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. 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.

Position Requirements:Valid Class 5 Driver’s LicenceValid FoodSafe Level 1Valid CPR and First AidMental Health Addiction Support Worker Diploma or Certificate from a recognized programMental Health Support Worker experience