Mental Health Community Outreach & Prevention Worker

Reports To

Manager of Mental Wellness

Saulteau First Nations Mission

We strive to be the Best Governed Nation, one that is proud, culturally strong and self-sufficient.  As stewards of the land, we will ensure that the best sustainable practices are followed, now and in the future.  We remain proudly determined.

Job Purpose

The Mental Health Community Outreach & Prevention Worker is responsible for providing wholistic, non-judgmental care to community members impacted by mental health challenges, including problematic substance. They work as part of a multidisciplinary team to support care for people with mental health and substance use issues using an outreach model that is strengths-based, trauma-informed and harm reduction focused. The Mental Health Community Outreach & Prevention Worker will provide support to community members through referrals, transportation, crisis support, systems navigation, advocacy and program facilitation.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conducts outreach activities to connect with community members facing mental health and substance abuse challenges, establishing and maintaining trusting and supportive relationships.
• Maintains a compassionate, empathetic and non-judgmental approach in working with community members, ensuring client confidentiality.
• Identifies and facilitates opportunities for members to connect to culture and community.
• Supports access to detox, treatment and other recovery supports.
• Collaborates with a multidisciplinary team to provide comprehensive, holistic wrap-around support, following a trauma informed and culture-based approach to care.
• Supports community members with needs relating to health, housing and social services through referrals, service-navigation, advocacy and transportation.
• Facilitates supportive group programming, including life skills workshops and recovery focused groups.
• Supports access to harm reduction supplies, including facilitation of harm reduction education workshops.
• Builds collaborative relationships with community service providers, both within and outside of community, while seeking to continually improve knowledge of existing community support.
• Maintains up to date progress notes.
• Participates in training and educational programs as required.
• Participates actively as a SFN representative in collaborative partner networks and related community activities.
• Performs other related duties as directed by Manager.

Required Qualifications

• Previous experience in outreach work or related field preferred.
• Knowledge and understanding of mental health and addiction issues.
• Certifications in Mental Health First Aid, Crisis Intervention and De-escalation Training, ASIST, SafeTalk, Cultural Safety, Principles of Trauma Informed Care, etc. preferred.
• Postsecondary education in social or human services preferred.

• Ability to pass a Vulnerable Sector Criminal Records Check

• Valid BC Class 5 driver’s license supported with a clean driver’s abstract

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge and understanding of First Nations histories, culture, and traditions, as well as historic and ongoing challenges within community, relating to mental health and substance use, and their connection to colonialism and assimilation.
• Demonstrate knowledge of strengths based, client centered approach and ability to incorporate this into practice.
• Demonstrate knowledge of substance-use recovery model and principles of recovery in mental wellness, including the principles of harm reduction in a health care setting
• Comprehensive knowledge and demonstrated ability to provide culturally appropriate and culturally safe care, has knowledge and awareness of Indigenous cultural practices.
• Broad knowledge of psychotherapeutic and counselling skills including modalities such as Motivational Interviewing (MI).
• Demonstrated knowledge of trauma and violence-informed practice
• Broad knowledge of legislation and government policies and procedures that relate to people who use substances and their support network.
• Demonstrate knowledge of mental health and substance-use services in the community and across British Columbia.
• Experience working with people with mental illness or concurrent disorders.
• Experience working with people living with disabilities and/or multiple barriers including poverty, racism, trauma, non-dominant language, culture, sexuality or identified gender, and mental health or substance use challenges.
• Strong conflict resolution and de-escalation skills, particularly in working with community members experiencing mental health crises, as well as problem solving, creative and critical thinking.
• Excellent computer skills including MS Suite, Outlook Calendar and Zoom.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; ability to communicate in a First Nations language is an asset.
• Ability to work independently and in an organized and self-directed manner.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
• Maintain good professional boundaries.
• Must practice and display a high standard of work ethic specifically maintaining confidentiality.

Work Conditions

• This role requires a flexible work schedule based on programming and community-based support services.
• Some work may be performed during Saulteau’s regular office hours; however, some programming will fall outside of the regular office hours.
• Travel will be required within SFN community and surrounding community.
• Some evening and weekend work will be necessary.
• Departmental vehicle supplied.