Canadian Mental Health Association - Windsor Essex County·Windsor, Ontario
The Addictions Support Worker provides individual and group support for clients with concurrent addiction and mental health issues. Responsibilities include conducting assessments, developing recovery plans, facilitating interventions, and coordinating referrals to community resources.
Temporary contract until approximately october 30, 2026
Under the direction of the Clinical Operations Manager, the Addictions Support Worker will provide individual and group support for an assigned group of clients who have addiction and mental health issues.
The Addictions Support Worker will provide an expertise in concurrent disorders and knowledge of best practices in this area.
The Addictions Support Worker will conduct assessments of mental health status, use of drugs and/or alcohol, activities of daily living, and social development.
The Addictions Support Worker will take a leadership role to ensure the provision of substance use interventions for clients including motivational counselling, harm reduction, and abstinence using the stages of change model.
The Addictions Support Worker will coordinate appropriate referrals to other community services and provide linkages to addiction treatment, self-help groups, and residential facilities.
The Addictions Support Worker will take part in change initiatives and will assist the Clinical Operations Manager, as well as other Concurrent Disorders team members, in the implementation of approved changes.
RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES: The position is responsible to: Provide support to clients with concurrent disorders.
To provide screening, and intake for clients in order to determine the presenting issue(s) and to provide access to the most appropriate program area.
Redirect inappropriate referrals to more suitable community resources that best fit the client’s need.
Assess client strengths, problem area(s), severity of dependence and readiness to change.
Develop a client-centred recovery plan with each individual Development of client care plans that are goal-focused based on assessment with client and other supports as appropriate and requested by client, including family members and/or care partners, service providers.
Provides individual support and counselling to clients with concurrent disorder and their family member/care partners.
Facilitates group treatment to address issues related to a client’s addiction and mental health.
To coordinate and/or participate in case management, consultation and case conferences with the client, family members/care partners and other service providers.
Ensures client interventions address outcomes or goals as derived from the client’s plan of care and is consistent with program objectives.
Ensure objectives of the program are met.
Provide support to client in achieving goals, particularly in the areas of basic life skills, social interactions, family relationships, coping with a concurrent disorder, medication education and adherence, monitoring progress and carrying out interventions when problems or crisis arise.
Participate in the evaluation of program goals and objectives making recommendations on changes to current program activities for improved service delivery.
Ensure all file management and reporting/documentation functions are maintained in a comprehensive and timely manner.
Create and maintain client records in a confidential and professional manner.
Ensure that monthly, annual and other required reporting documentation are completed.
Develop group treatment materials relevant to client group.
Create and organize resource materials for various group treatment sessions at various locations.
Evaluate the effectiveness of activities and sessions.
Assist clients in accessing and obtaining other community resources where needed and appropriate and advocate with and for clients to ensure adequate resources are available.
Ensure the client has awareness and understanding of rights relating to services and confidentiality.
Assess needs and values of care partners where care partner involvement has been indicated in order to support, link, educate and advocate for family as needed.
Educate and counsel affected individuals and family members through all stages of recovery using appropriate intervention and health promotion programs.
Provide referrals for family members/care partners to other appropriate community resources (i.e.CMHA Concurrent Disorders Family Group, NAMI, Withdrawal Management Services).
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the Mental Health Act and related legislation, the structure and personnel of local social agencies, government departments, institutions and other groups concerned with the client population.
Maintain an understanding of trends and developments that could affect the provision of addiction and mental health services.
EDUCATION & SKILLS: Requires knowledge and skill acquired through completion of a post-secondary diploma or certificate in Chemical Dependency or Concurrent Disorders or an equivalent program acceptable to the employer.
Certified Addiction Counsellor (CAC II) is required.
Two years recent relevant work experience with clients with addictions or concurrent disorders.
Knowledge of various addiction counselling theories and practices is required, including motivational counselling, education and prevention, documentation and professional and ethical standards is necessary.
Knowledge of working with clients from diverse cultures and lifestyles who are addicted to alcohol and/or drugs.
Knowledge of crisis intervention, anger diffusion, conflict intervention and resolution, use of chemical dependency diagnostic tools is also required.
Computer literacy skills and working knowledge or various Microsoft Windows application is required.
Bilingualism in both official languages at the advanced level is considered an asset.
A valid Ontario Driver’s License with access to a reliable vehicle and proof of current insurance and licensing are required for this position.
Hours of Work: Thirty-Five (35) hour work week.
The agency’s regular hours of operation are Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Flexible hours are required to meet client and service needs.
Grade 7, $32.85 – $38.84 per hour Per 2022 - 2026 Collective Agreement Applicable shift premiums are paid in accordance with the Collective Agreement, Article 17.11. Please submit your cover letter and resume clearly stating how your skills and experience meet the position requirements prior to the posting closing date. Posting Date: Friday, July 31, 2026 Posting Deadline: Friday, August 14, 2026 @ 4:30pm We thank all applicants for their interest in employment at CMHA-WECB. We are however, unable to respond to individual calls. Only those individuals selected for consideration will be contacted for next steps. Thank you for your understanding. This position is posted per Article 15 of the Collective Agreement. Internal candidates will be considered in priority as established by the Article, as such external candidates may not be considered if there is a qualified internal applicant. We are dedicated to creating a workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We welcome applications from individuals of all identities and experiences, as we believe that diverse perspectives strengthen CMHA. If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact us at hrteam@cmha-wecb.on.ca. Please note that candidacy for positions will require you to be authorized to work in Canada. Please note that a satisfactory police vulnerable sector check is required as a condition of employment for all roles with CHMA-WECB.
Candidates must hold a post-secondary diploma or certificate in Chemical Dependency or Concurrent Disorders and possess a Certified Addiction Counsellor (CAC II) designation. A minimum of two years of recent relevant work experience and a valid driver's license are required.
Market context
In Ontario, behavioral-health roles are typically driven by ongoing need in community, outpatient, and support settings serving people with mental health or substance use challenges. These positions can be competitive because employers often look for experience with diverse populations plus a high school diploma or GED, with a bachelor’s in social work or a related field preferred. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, then tailor your application to show relevant client-facing experience and readiness to work with varied needs.
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