Mental Health Worker - COAST

SJH St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

SJH St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton seeks a Mental Health Worker for the COAST program in Hamilton to respond to crises, perform mobile outreach, and triage calls with collaboration across police and healthcare partners.

The role requires RN/SW/OT credentials or related health discipline registration, crisis experience, and ability to work within a multidisciplinary team while coordinating community resources.

Qualifications

• 2-5 years community/crisis experience preferred.
• Experience with crisis intervention techniques and risk assessment.
• Current registration with a relevant professional college.

Responsibilities

• Answering crisis line and triage.
• Crisis intervention to assess factors contributing to current crisis.
• Provide support and follow-up post-crisis with phone or referrals to follow-up agencies.
• Develop safety plans to protect others and complete mental health assessments.
• Contract with consumers/families for further clinical services including mobile crisis response.
• Assess risk to crisis workers and collaborate with police and agencies.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Risk assessment

Community outreach

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Nursing (RN) or Social Work (BSW/MSW) or Occupational Therapy

Current registration with a college (RN/SW/OT)

Psychotherapist registration (Ontario) or related health degree

Job description

Position Details: Job Number: JR02506 Department: Crisis Outreach and Support Team COAST

This position may be scheduled at any of the following sites: Crisis Outreach and Support Team (COAST) (Hamilton)

Job Type: Regular, Full time Contract Duration: (If applicable) 0 months

Number of Positions: 1 Union: OPSEU Local 206

Hourly Rate (Min / Max): $46.85 - $58.01

Schedule Work Days: Holidays, Monday to Sunday Time of Day: Days, Evenings Shift: Hours -12 Shift Start: (If applicable)

Reason for Posting: Posting is for a role with an existing vacancy

Application Dates Opening Date: 2026-10-20 Closing Date: 2026-10-27

Position Summary

The primary responsibility of the COAST Mental Health Worker will be to respond to member of the community of all ages who are seriously mentally ill and are in crisis. This includes going mobile and responding to telephone crisis calls as required. The Mental Health Worker works in collaboration with other members of the COAST team. This includes police officers at COAST police officers on the Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Team (MCRRT). This includes a systemic approach for the assessment of adults children and youth in crisis to stabilize and manage the current crisis situation. The Mental Health Worker conducts risk and safety assessments provides support and connects individuals and families to the appropriate community resources as needed.

Qualifications

• Degree/Diploma in Nursing (RN) or Degree in Social Work (BSW or MSW) or Occupational Therapy OR Current registration in good standing with the College of Psychotherapists with a Degree in a health related discipline
• Current registration with your college in good standing: College of Nurses (RN) Ontario College of Social Workers & Social Service Workers College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario or College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario
• 2-5 years community/crisis experience in Child and Youth preferred
• Preference given to candidates with at least 5 years clinical experience working in mental health preferably in the community
• Experience in crisis intervention techniques and theory based practice with the seriously mental ill
• Demonstrated knowledge sensitivity and expertise in the care of seniors and their families
• Gentle Persuasive Approach training preferred
• Demonstrated and previous knowledge on risk assessments suicide prevention principles of crisis theory and intervention
• Demonstrated ability to use non-violent crisis intervention techniques
• A good understanding of the Mental Health Act and knowledge of family and social systems
• Demonstrated knowledge of the use of psychotropic medications psychiatric diagnosis and formulation of the mental health assessment for a diverse age group and population
• Must possess the ability to work collaboratively and in partnership with a multidisciplinary team and other agencies in the community
• Ability to work with police court system inpatient and outpatient mental health systems
• A valid driver's license and reliable transportation to be used in course of employment
• French speaking language skills an asset
• Current First Aid/CPR certification
• Demonstrated ability to use computer programs for data entry of assessments
• Ability to market the COAST program in the community and work as a mentor with students at COAST
• Commitment to ongoing professional development - encouraged to participate in activities with other organizations and with community for maintaining and fostering relationships

Responsibilities

• Answering the crisis line and determining initial triage
• Crisis intervention to understand the factors contributing to the current difficulties for adults youth and children in developing a working formulation
• To provide support and follow-up post crisis with ongoing telephone support or by connecting clients to appropriate follow-up agencies
• Recommending measures to help protect others by developing safety plans
• Completing a mental health assessment
• To contract with consumers and families the need for further clinical service including mobile crisis response as appropriate
• To assess the risk to crisis workers in the outreach environment
• To reduce conflict between the client and caregivers
• To understand the client’s current difficulties better by direct observation including the ability to perform a mental status examination.
• Educating the community about the functioning and limitations of the mobile crisis service
• Forming positive relationships and strong partnerships with hospitals law enforcement agencies and mental health and social service agencies to build an effective delivery of crisis service in the community
• Partner with police officer in completing mobile crisis intervention
• Must have sound working knowledge of resources partnerships and working relationships and participate in ongoing professional development and supervision around crisis work
• Assists in identifying and developing goals towards understanding prevention treatment and rehabilitation of individuals with mental illness
• Adheres to policies and procedures set out by the COAST program and St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton

Note: The selection and placement of a Mental Health Worker to the Crisis Response Branch will be conditional upon the completion and clearance of a police records check to the satisfaction of the Police Services.s. St. Joseph's Health System (SJHS) and its member organizations are equal opportunity employers and strives for equity, inclusiveness, and diversity in all programs, practices, facilities, and people.

We foster a culture of patient and staff safety where all positions comply and work in conjunction with the Mission, Vision, and Core Values. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

SJHS and its member organizations are committed to a barrier-free recruitment and selection process - please inform us should accommodation be required at any point in the recruitment process ([e-mail]).

At St. Joe's Hamilton, we believe in nurturing new talent, providing an inclusive and supportive work environment with meaningful growth opportunities, and exciting benefits and rewards. Whether you're passionate about providing compassionate care or eager to gain new skills, there's a place here for you to grow, learn, and succeed! Dignity. Respect. Service. Justice. Responsibility. Enquiry.