Provide outreach community-based support services as part of a multidisciplinary and multi-agency outreach team.
Assist individuals with substance use and/or mental health treatment.
Provide life skills training, coaching, advocacy, and advice to individuals experiencing poverty, homelessness, and limited access/engagement with traditional systems of care.
Support development and implementation of individual care plans under direction of professional staff who sign off on care plans.
Observe and recognize behavioural and/or health status changes in clients.
Facilitate supportive and educational groups.
Role model healthy lifestyle choices and promote positive change and independence.
Provide crisis intervention and conflict resolution as needed.
Coordinate transportation arrangements as required for service assignments (may require personal vehicle)
Requirements summary
Post-secondary certification in addiction counselling, or a diploma in community social services, plus two years' recent related experience working with persons with substance use and/or mental health (including teaching life skills), or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Working knowledge of chemical dependency.
Basic knowledge of community resources.
First Aid and CPR (level C) certification.
Valid Class 5 BC Driver's License.
Participation in Provincial Violence Training within first three months of employment.
FoodSafe Certification.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
Ability to deal with seriously addicted and mentally ill clients and their families.
Ability to facilitate supportive and educational groups.
Ability to set and maintain boundaries.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.
Crisis intervention and conflict resolution skills.
Ability to operate related equipment and software programs (word processing and spreadsheets).
Physical and emotional ability to carry out duties.
Criminal Record Check required (CRC required)
Post-secondary certification in addiction counsellingor diploma in community social servicesCoachingAdvocacyConflict resolutionSound judgmentAdviceProblem solvingCrisis interventionMental health supportLife skills trainingGroup facilitationOperating related equipmentTeaching life skillsPrioritization and organizationIntensive case managementCommunication (verbal and written)Independent work and collaborationOutreach community-based support
Job description
Close Date Location MHSU – Primary Care Outreach (NWPS) - Nanaimo, BC V9R 3E3 CA (Primary) Work Area (FBA Only) Multi-Site No Travel Requirement Travel between multiple sites is a regular/on-going requirement Shift Start Time/End Time as required, 0800/1830 Days Off As required Vacancy Type Casual Salary Range (Hourly Rate) $33.49 - $35.31 Paid FTE N/A Worked BI-WEEKLY HOURS N/A Planned Start Date Jun. 30 2026 Approximate End Date (For Temporary Assignments ONLY) Pending Return of Incumbent No CRC required? (employee will be working with or have access to children or vulnerable adults and requires a Criminal Record Check) Yes
Job Description
In accordance with the Vision, Purpose, and Values, and strategic direction of Island Health (Vancouver Island Health Authority), patient and staff safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone; as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position. Reporting to the team leader or designate, as a member of a multidisciplinary and multi-agency outreach team, the Intensive Case Management Substance Use and Mental Health Support and Recovery Worker provides outreach community based support services, assists in substance use and/or mental health treatment, provides life skills training, coaching, advocacy and advice to a population of individuals with substance use/addiction issues with or without a mental illness that have experienced significant challenges related to poverty and homelessness as well as limited access or engagement in with the traditional system of care. Six primary philosophical perspectives guide the development of the model of care. These include: 1) health equity; 2) social justice; 3) strengths-based including empowerment; 4) lifespan development; 5) community collaboration; 6) systems integration. This position operates under the direction of professional staff who sign-off on the individual care plans. Transportation arrangements must meet the operational requirements of the Vancouver Island Health Authority in accordance with the service assignment and may require the use of a personal vehicle.
Qualifications
Education, Training And Experience Post-secondary certification in addiction counselling, or a diploma in community social services, plus two years' recent related experience working with persons with substance use and/or mental health including teaching life skills, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Working knowledge of chemical dependency. Basic knowledge of community resources. Certification in First Aid and CPR (level C). Valid Class 5 BC Driver's License. Participation in Provincial Violence Training within first three months of employment. FoodSafe Certification. Skills And Abilities
Substance use/addiction support
Boundary setting and maintenance
Observation of behavioural/health status changes
Use of word processing and spreadsheet applications
Promotion of positive change and independence
Systems integration / community collaboration (model of care perspectives)
Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing;
Ability to deal with seriously addicted and mentally ill clients and their families;
Ability to observe and recognize behavioural and/or health status changes in clients;
Ability to facilitate supportive and educational groups;
Ability to role model healthy lifestyle choices;
Ability to set and maintain boundaries;
Ability to work independently and in collaboration with others;
Conflict resolution and crisis intervention skills;
Ability to operate related equipment and software programs such as word processing and spreadsheet applications.
Ability to deal with others effectively.
Ability to prioritize and organize client demands made and care needs.
Ability to problem solve.
Ability to teach life skills.
Sound judgment and good observation skills.
Ability to demonstrate an appropriate level of initiative and independence.
Ability to work cooperatively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Ability to promote positive change and independence.
Physical and emotion ability to carry out the duties of the position.
Ability to operate related equipment.
Advocacy skills Link to Full Job Description https://jd.viha.ca/JD3736.pdf Additional information for applicants Additional Clauses Requisition CA Community Subsector Affiliation/Union BCGEU
