CLASSIFICATION: REGISTERED SOCIAL SERVICE WORKER
DEPARTMENT: INPATIENT MENTAL HEALTH
POSITION LOCATION: OWEN SOUND
UNION AFFILIATION: OPSEU – HPD
STATUS: FULL-TIME, TEMPORARY (APPROX. END DATE JULY 2026)
WAGE RATE: $33.94 – $39.07
Reporting to the Manager, Inpatient Mental Health Services, the Social Service Worker provides a range of mental health services to clients who have serious mental illness. The incumbent works as part of a multi-disciplinary team, to provide treatment, rehabilitative and support services to clients primarily located in the Owen Sound area. The incumbent is required to travel within the catchment area (Grey and Bruce Counties) to deliver mental health services in the client’s home community.
Qualifications / Skills / Abilities:
Required
- Current registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
- Minimum two years’ experience as a Social Service Worker within a multi-disciplinary team serving individuals with serious mental illness
- Knowledge of and experienced in serving the needs of the homeless population
- Understanding of the complex housing needs of clients with an SMI and/or addiction issues
- Knowledge of mental health reform, values and principles of recovery, Mental Health Act, PHIPPA, Health Care Consent Act and Public Hospitals Act
- Demonstrated knowledge of issues faced by individuals in acute mental health distress and severe mental illness
- Knowledge of community services and mental health treatment/support programs
- Demonstrated knowledge of and competence in the application of treatment modalities to support individuals with serious mental illness
- Demonstrated Psycho/Social and mental status assessment skills
- Demonstrated knowledge of DSM-IV-R
- Demonstrated knowledge of psychiatric medication, side effects and coping strategies
- Able to effectively communicate with clients, family members, members of the Mental Health team and other stakeholders
- Possession of a valid Ontario Class “G” Driver’s License and personal vehicle
- Excellent organizational skills and scheduling abilities
- Able to coordinate multiple departmental interests to provide quality client care
- Able to problem-solve and make effective decisions under high stress and potentially violent emergency situations
- Willingness to learn and integrate new concepts into practice
- Ability to work all shifts, including weekends
- Recent satisfactory performance and attendance record
- Adherence to Brightshores ‘CARE’ Behaviours (Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, Excellence) and ‘LEAD’ Competencies (Lead by example, Empower, Achieve results, Develop others) and a commitment to a safe workplace free of violence and harassment
- Advocates and supports a culture of patient safety and demonstrates an understanding of how the department service and assigned responsibilities contribute to overall patient safety at Brightshores through patient safety knowledge, skills and attitudes
Preferred
- Experience in Crisis Intervention/emergency psychiatry and working with community agencies
- Familiarity with principles and practices of intensive case management and psycho-social rehab
- CPR and CPI certifications