PROGRAM: Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team, Vancouver and Richmond
UNION: HSPA
SALARY: $39.56- $49.39 (Grid 11 HSPA)
TYPE: Permanent Part-Time, 0.9 FTE
SCHEDULE: This position requires the person to work a combination of day (08:30am-4:30pm) and evening (12:30pm-8:30pm) shifts and to work a share of weekends. Some On-call work may be required. Schedules are subject to change to meet operational requirements and client needs. Includes a 30 minute unpaid meal break
START DATE: As soon as possible
Pursuant to the Provincial Health Officer’s Order, the incumbent of this position is required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. We will only consider applicants who are fully vaccinated, or who have received an exemption from the Provincial Health Office. Proof of either must be provided in advance of any offer of employment being made.
To apply please include your resume, with a cover letter describing your suitability for this position, in an email with the subject line of “job2023.089” to: Chelsea Bromley, Team Lead ACT Team @ cbromley@raincityhousing.org
Transportation: Must has a clear driving record and Class 5 Drivers License (Learners and New drivers licenses are not sufficient) in order to qualify for a Modo account. Must be willing and able to drive between the Vancouver and Richmond communities.
ABOUT US
RainCity Housing is an organization that makes a difference in people’s lives. With a goal of providing a home for everyone, RainCity’s programs sustain relationships, strengthen communities and make change for people experiencing homelessness and mental health, trauma and substance use issues. We invite you to be a part of the change.
Housing First is a recovery-oriented supportive housing approach that operates on the principle that homeless people living with mental illness should be offered immediate access to rent supplements so they can live in the same kinds of permanent independent apartments that are typically available to people without mental illness, and that housing should be provided without requiring participation in psychiatric or substance use treatment. Self-determination, choice and harm reduction are at the centre of all considerations with respect to the provision of housing and support services.
Clients are offered the supports and clinical services of a full-service ACT team including medical, counselling and community supports. ACT is a well-researched evidence-based trans-disciplinary model. Crisis support is available 7 days a week, 12 hours a day. Program staff are closely involved in hospital admissions and discharges.
DIVERSITY
RainCity Housing serves a diverse group of people and we need a staff group that reflects the diversity. People of diverse backgrounds and cultures are encouraged to apply.
PROGRAM SUMMARY: ACT is an evidence-based transdisciplinary mental health team that has a client-staff ratio of 10:1, with 80% of the work occurring in the community. Crisis support is available seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Program staff are closely involved in hospital admissions and discharges. The RainCity ACT team also provides housing opportunities for clients using a ‘housing first’ scattered site approach. Clients are offered immediate access to rent supplements so they have the opportunity to live in the same kinds of permanent independent apartments that are typically available to people without mental illness, and the rent supplements are provided without requiring participation in psychiatric or substance use treatment. Self-determination, choice and harm reduction are at the centre of all considerations with respect to the provision of housing and support services.
POSITION SUMMARY: the Community Mental Health Clinician (CMHC) works within the context of a client centered care model, in accordance with the standards of professional practice and consistent with the mission, vision and values and established policy and protocols of RainCity Housing and the ACT team. The CMHC works within the trans-disciplinary ACT team and as part of a broader integrated system to deliver services to clients experiencing various levels of substance misuse and mental illness. Establishes and maintains non-judgmental therapeutic relationships with clients, collaborates and consults with colleagues and other community resources, and assists with developing/providing education services as required.
The CMHC also performs Service Coordination duties for a group of approximately 10 ACT participants, maintaining oversight to ensure that client’s self-identified goals for recovery and community integration are supported by appropriate services and practices, consistent with the values of self-determination/choice and harm reduction. Working in collaboration with the other members of the ACT team, the CMHC coordinates the provision of ACT services for clients served by the team members in their area of specialization. Support services are often provided in non-traditional environments, such as the participant’s home, coffee shops, and community centres. As ACT follows the Housing First model, supporting participants through evictions and moves is also a core component of the work, ensuring that learnings and skills from each housing situation are not lost.
Qualifications: many forms of education and experience are valued, including volunteering and lived experience of mental illness / addiction/ homelessness; Minimum education and experience includes:
- Master’s degree in an Allied Health Discipline from a recognized program and registration with a professional body (e.g., Masters level Registered Social Worker, Registered Clinical Counsellor, Canadian Certified Counsellor, Occupational Therapist)
- Three (3) years’ recent related experience providing professional services to individuals who have substance abuse and mental health illness, including two (2) years post graduate experience, with urban homeless populations with serious mental illness, substance addiction and complex health conditions.
- Current first aid and CPR
- Valid B.C. Driver’s License and acceptable drivers abstract. Use of a personal vehicle is required
Knowledge and Abilities
- Demonstrated understanding of oppression and marginalization, specifically as related to people with experiences of a mental illness, addiction, or homelessness.
- Comprehensive knowledge of the principles of recovery with individuals experiencing severe and persistent mental illness
- Broad knowledge of bio-psycho-social issues that may occur in response to changing mental health and substance use needs.
- Broad knowledge of mental health and substance use diagnoses and their interactions.
- Broad knowledge of DSM diagnostic classification system.
- Broad knowledge of psychopharmacology.
- Knowledge of the principles of recovery, and recovery models and practice in mental illness and problematic substance use.
- Knowledge of harm reduction principles and activities
- Basic knowledge of other health care disciplines and their role in client care.
- Ability to independently plan, organize, and prioritize workload and adapting to a changing workload. Ability to work in a trans-disciplinary team.
- Ability to prepare case summaries and clinical records.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in the writing of reports, correspondence, and other documentation.
- Sound knowledge or crisis intervention and community resources.