Addiction and Mental Health Worker - Reach Out/988

Addiction and Mental Health Worker, Reach Out / 988
Direct Service - (OPSEU)
 Full-Time, Contract (End Date: March 31, 2028) 

This posting is the result of an upcoming vacancy
 London, Ontario (London Zone)
- Application Deadline: November 24, 2026 -

We believe that the path to success involves bringing others with you. 

As a member of our Reach Out/988 team, you’ll support individuals through phone, text and webchat who are struggling with their mental health and/or addictions to feel the same sense of belonging, connection and safety that everyone in our community deserves.

9-8-8 is Canada’s first nation-wide support specifically for suicide prevention and emotional distress. This new service will be available 24/7/365 and accessible to everyone from coast to coast to coast. Our Reach Out/988 team is dedicated to meeting every connection with empathy, acceptance and radical genuineness.

Consider revitalizing your career and making a difference in your community by joining our team!

WHAT WE'RE OFFERING:

• What you'll be making - Starting rate for this role is $27.14 per hour (Level 1 – Direct Service), with a wage differential, based on regulation ($30.01 per hour for Level 1 – Direct Service, Regulated):
  1. Successful candidates who are registered with one of the designated professional colleges (e.g. OCSWSSW, CNO, COTO, CRPO, CPSO, or CPO) will receive the wage differential for regulation
  2. Successful external applicants will start at Level 1, with grid progression based on seniority up to Level 8 ($34.41 per hour for non-regulated, and $37.26 per hour for regulated); for internal applicants, grid level placement will occur as per the Collective Agreement
  3. Premiums of $2.00 per hour will be applied for eligible Evening/Night (8:00pm – 7:00am) and Weekend Shifts. 
• When you'll work - 70 hours biweekly; Day shifts, with rotating weekends; Paid 30-minute meal break
• Your pension plan –Immediately eligible for optional enrolment in the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)
• What your benefits will be – 9% in lieu of benefits

HOW YOU WILL BE MAKING A DIFFERENCE:

 Assessment in collaboration with the client: 

• Establish a therapeutic relationship to maximize the benefits of engagement between the staff and the client
• Operate from a trauma and violence informed perspective
• Complete mental health assessments based on theory of crisis management including rapid response, risk assessment, de-escalation, stabilization, and referral to determine client needs and level of risk
• Assess social and environmental factors impacting the client
• Assess the adequacy of resources/supports currently available to the client
• Identify risk factors related to the safety of both the client and staff members as well as relapse
• Assess barriers to successful community living (e.g. treatment options, transportation, finances, etc.)
• Ensure assessment incorporates cultural and ethnic factors
• Identify areas requiring additional assessment
• Warm transfer callers to local crisis response teams, Support Line and other partners as defined by program protocols
• Engage Emergency services when it is determined that additional intervention is required 

Information and Referrals: 

• Provide prompt, accurate, empathetic verbal / text / web chat responses to requests for information about the availability of services for mental health and/or addiction services to clients, their family members and friends, as well as health and social service professionals
• Provide health teaching and information regarding a variety of coping techniques & strategies
• Provide information regarding resources found within both the broader mental health and addiction system & community in general
• Identify, develop and maintain good links with a wide range of community resources
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge or resources relevant to clients including other mental health and addiction services, entitlement and benefit programs (e.g. ODSP, Ontario Works, London Housing, etc.)
• Work collaboratively with local crisis response teams to ensure coordinated care is provided to clients accessing the Reach Out Line and 988

Crisis Management and Follow up: 

• Provide crisis support, resources, information and referrals to those contacting Reach Out & 988 through calls, texts and web chat.
• Advocate, as necessary, to facilitate access to services and supports with the objective of remediating immediate crisis situation
• Assist the client to obtain needed resources by educating and supporting client to access resources, linking the client to appropriate services, advocating with or for the client when needed
• Assist the client to identify and connect with personal / natural and community supports
• When appropriate, act as liaison with caregivers and/or service & service providers who are involved with the client to facilitate coordinated approach to service provision

WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO APPLY:
 

Police Vulnerable Sector Check Requirements
Successful candidates must have a Police Vulnerable Sector Check completed in the last six months. Interested applicants who reside in the City of London and are in need of a Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) are encouraged to apply for one as soon as possible as PVSCs in the City of London are currently taking approximately 3 weeks to be processed and offers of employment cannot be made without receipt of a PVSC.
 
We require the following qualifications:

• College Diploma or University Degree in a mental health or addictions related field or a minimum of 3 years of experience in a direct-service role and some post-secondary education in a mental health or addictions related field (primary proof of credentials will be required during the hiring process i.e. original degree/diploma or official transcript)
• Current, satisfactory Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC)
• Demonstrated ability to attend work regularly

We prefer the following qualifications:

• First Aid & CPR
• Training in crisis intervention and crisis resolution, including ASIST
• Three years’ experience within the addiction and/or mental health services field, preferably in crisis intervention. Direct clinical experience is an asset
• Experience in telephone-based risk management, lethality assessment and crisis intervention
• Knowledge of Community resources both in the Thames Valley region and surrounding areas
• Bilingual in both official languages, preferred; Une préférence sera accordée aux personnes possédant des compétences dans les deux langues officielles du Canada

INTERNAL APPLICANTS: To be considered as an internal applicant, current staff members are reminded to apply using their @cmhatv.ca or @slwar.ca email address.

Get your application in by – November 24, 2026 

Our recruitment process allows us to learn about your previous work experience, your qualifications and your commitment to fulfilling our vision. While we appreciate the interest of all applicants, only those individuals being considered for a position will be personally contacted by someone from the interview team.  

We welcome and encourage applications from all members of our community including persons of any gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation, persons with disabilities, Indigenous persons, and members of visible minorities. If you require accommodations related to a disability at any point during the recruitment process, please contact [email protected]  
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Legal Notifications:

• For legal purposes our full business name is: Canadian Mental Health Association Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services
• Artificial Intelligence is not currently employed in our recruitment processes