Island Health·Courtenay, British Columbia
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 engagement.
Provide life skills training, coaching, advocacy, and advice to individuals experiencing poverty and homelessness and limited access to traditional systems of care.
Support development and implementation of individual care plans under direction of professional staff.
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.
Set and maintain appropriate boundaries.
Provide crisis intervention and conflict resolution as needed.
Coordinate transportation arrangements as required by service assignment (may require use of personal vehicle)
Close Date Location Comox Valley MH & Addiction Services (CVMHAS) - Courtenay, BC V9N 2N7 CA (Primary) Work Area (FBA Only) Multi-Site Yes Travel Requirement Travel between multiple sites is a regular/on-going requirement Shift Start Time/End Time As required 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 Jul. 13 2026 Approximate End Date (For Temporary Assignments ONLY) Pending Return of Incumbent CRC required? (employee will be working with or have access to children or vulnerable adults and requires a Criminal Record Check) Yes
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.
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 operate related equipment and software programs (word processing and spreadsheet applications).
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.
Ability to prioritize and organize client demands and care needs.
Conflict resolution and crisis intervention skills.
Sound judgment and good observation skills.
Physical and emotional ability to carry out duties.
Criminal Record Check required (CRC)
Market context
In British Columbia, behavioral-health roles often reflect ongoing demand in acute care, community mental health, and integrated service settings. These positions are competitive because employers typically look for current BC nursing registration, recent experience with acute mental illness, and comfort working on multidisciplinary teams. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this platform to quickly compare fit against the original posting, then tailor your application to show relevant mental-health and team-based experience.