Mental Health Worker - Safe Beds

Canadian Mental Health Association-Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge; Peterborough; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A community mental health organization in Peterborough is seeking a Mental Health Worker for their Safe Beds program. This role involves providing crisis support, developing individual care plans, and collaborating with community resources. Qualified candidates should have a degree in social/health sciences and 2+ years of relevant experience. The position is full-time and may require flexible shifts, including weekends and night shifts.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in case management/community supports.
• Understanding of crisis theory and recovery model.
• Ability to apply a trauma-informed approach to care.

Responsibilities

• Assess individuals for access to the Safe Beds program.
• Provide crisis intervention and service coordination.
• Advocate on behalf of clients and liaise with community partners.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Mental health support

Client advocacy

Coping strategies

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social/health science

Post-secondary diploma with experience

Job description

Overview

Mental Health Worker (Safe Beds) reside within the Safe Beds program at a residential setting that provides short term residential stays for individuals who are in crisis or require a period of intensive support. Staff provide mental health support, crisis intervention, support to develop and use coping strategies, illness and medication management and education, connections to community services, and support to individuals affected by mental illness, addictions, trauma and crisis. Staff must be willing to work rotating shifts including night shifts, weekends and holidays as this is a 24-hour program.

Location: Peterborough

Status: Full-Time Temporary (6 months)

Posting#: MHW-SB-FTT-09-25

Wage: $29.70 to $31.13 per hour

Application Deadline: 12:00 Noon on September 23, 2025

Key Responsibilities

1. 1. Mental Health Supports
   • Assess individuals for access to the Safe Beds program
   • Provide intensive short-term support, crisis intervention and service coordination in a residential setting to Safe Bed clients
   • Provide ongoing assessment of individual client needs and level of support required throughout the clients Safe Bed stay
   • Develop individual goal plans, crisis plans, and discharge plans with clients
   • Assist individuals to access/navigate community resources and supports e.g., Ontario Disability Support Program, Ontario Works, landlords, counselling, utilities, shelters, food banks
   • Assist with emotional well-being of clients – behavioural, mental health and physical issues
   • Education regarding crisis, medication, and illness management
   • Advocate on behalf of, and with the client and those within their network of support
   • Liaise with other staff and community partners as necessary with respect to individual client needs
   • Promote positive and supportive attitudes toward people who have experienced mental health problems
   • Refer on to other CMHA programs and community partners as necessary
2. 2. Residential and Client Supports
   • Identify needs and develop goals through assessment
   • Promote client strengths through the application of psychosocial rehabilitation principles
   • Assist with the planning and implementation of services that promote life skills and social skills
   • Develop and promote programs and activities to empower clients to work towards their goals
   • Provide clients with crisis intervention and support
   • Provide coaching and skill teaching to clients within a residential setting
   • Maintain professional conduct, boundaries and ethical standards
   • Assist individuals with medications – teaching, prompting, monitoring
   • Assist and encourage residents with activities of daily living
   • Assist with budgeting
   • Assist with personal hygiene products/skills
   • Assist with obtaining identification such as health cards, housing, furniture, clothing etc.
   • Responsible for all household duties: meal preparation, cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, laundry, sanitizing bedrooms and washrooms, garbage disposal, etc.
3. 3. Documentation
   • Complete administrative tasks – O.C.A.N. assessments, case notes, time sheets, expense claims, time off requests
   • Document and maintain client records
4. 4. Other Activities
   • Liaise with community partners
   • Participate in community outreach activities through the development of collaborative partnerships, education and visits to community agencies and services
5. 5. Performance Management and Professional Development
   • Participate cooperatively in the agency performance management process/system
   • Stay current on relevant legislation and best practices, current research, policies and procedures
   • Participate in ongoing professional development and mandatory training
   • Actively engage and participate in supervisory process
6. 6. Health and Safety – Worker Responsibilities
   • Work in compliance with the Occupational Health And Safety Act, applicable regulations and all organizational health and safety requirements and procedures to ensure the health and safety of clients, staff/colleagues, volunteers and students
7. 7. Client Safety
   • Adhere to CMHA HKPR client safety programs including program policies as well as infection control and prevention procedures. In partnership with clients, family members, and fellow staff, maintain open lines of communication to assist the organization in identifying and achieving quality outcomes for client safety
8. 8. Quality Assurance Measures
   • Q.A.M does not apply to this position
9. 9. Other Duties as Assigned
   • Attend, participate in team/staff meetings, and all-staff meetings as required
   • Participate in agency quality improvement activities, e.g. accreditation projects, committee work, special events
   • Participate in quality improvement activities at the team/program level
   • Participate in external committees as required
   • Duties may change from time to time

Requirements of the Position

A. Education and Training

Successful completion of Bachelor’s degree in the social/health science disciplines is preferred. A relevant post-secondary diploma combined with significant, demonstrated experience may be considered.

We recognize that mandatory training before hire is an asset, however, successful completion of the training applicable to this role shall be requirements for continued employment in this position:

• Health and Safety Training (including but not limited to the following):
  • Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (W.H.M.I.S. 2015)
  • Infection, Prevention & Control
  • Workplace Violence
  • Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act
• Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (A.S.I.S.T.)
• Verbal Intervention Training
• Ontario Common Assessment of Need (O.C.A.N).
• Client Record Management System (C.R.M.S.)
• First Aid/C.P.R.

Assets with regard to this position:

• Master’s degree in social/health services
• Training in the following: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy or other forms of emotional regulation support, Motivational Interviewing, Concurrent Disorders, Trauma-Informed Therapy

B. Related and Relevant Experience

Mandatory experience

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in the delivery of case management/community supports to clients, especially within the mental health services field
• Demonstrated understanding of the crisis theory and recovery model, crisis intervention, mental illness, psychiatric medication and the Mental Health Act
• Demonstrated ability to apply a person centered, trauma and concurrent informed approach to care
• Demonstrated conflict resolution and crisis intervention abilities
• Proven assessment skills, sound judgment and decision-making skills
• Demonstrated observation and active listening abilities
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively with the Crisis team and management
• Proven interpersonal and communication skills
• Demonstrated computer and organizational skills

Preferred experience

• Intermediate to advanced minus proficiency in French

C. Other

• Valid driver’s license
• Automobile in good repair and insurance coverage as required by agency policy
• Satisfactory police records search
• Satisfactory references
• Lived expertise with a mental health concern or addiction, either personally or with a family member is an asset
• Proof of receipt of full COVID-19 vaccine

Working Conditions

• Work may be in an office setting, community and clients’ homes
• Work directly with individuals experiencing mental health concerns/crisis including serious mental illness and/or dual diagnosis and/or addictions
• Work directly with individuals living in poverty who may live with a serious mental illness and/or dual diagnosis and/or addictions
• Required to work flexible hours including: evenings, weekends, overnights and statutory holidays
• There are multiple competing demands which require time management skills, the ability to be flexible and to prioritize
• Work in a stressful environment where there are mental and emotional demands, there is a high volume of work as well as unpredictable work, life-threatening situations for others such as instances of suicide
• Transport clients in personal vehicle