Island Health·Nanaimo, British Columbia
Provide outreach community-based support services as part of a multidisciplinary and multi-agency outreach team.
Assist in substance use and/or mental health treatment.
Provide life skills training, coaching, advocacy and advice to individuals with substance use/addiction issues with or without a mental illness.
Support individuals experiencing significant challenges related to poverty and homelessness and limited access/engagement with traditional systems of care.
Teach life skills and facilitate supportive and educational groups.
Observe and recognize behavioural and/or health status changes in clients.
Role model healthy lifestyle choices and promote positive change and independence.
Set and maintain boundaries.
Provide conflict resolution and crisis intervention as needed.
Operate related equipment and use software programs such as word processing and spreadsheet applications.
Work under the direction of professional staff who sign off on individual care plans.
Travel between multiple sites as an ongoing requirement; may require use of personal vehicle to transport clients
Close Date Location Nanaimo MH & Addiction Services (NMHAS) - Nanaimo, BC V9T 5W5 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 0830-1830 & 1330-2200 Days Off Rotating Vacancy Type Temp FT Salary Range (Hourly Rate) $33.49 - $35.31 Paid FTE 1.0 Worked BI-WEEKLY HOURS 75 Planned Start Date Sep. 9 2026 Approximate End Date (For Temporary Assignments ONLY) Jan. 31 2027 Pending Return of Incumbent Yes 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 set and maintain boundaries; work independently and collaboratively.
Conflict resolution and crisis intervention skills.
Ability to prioritize and organize client demands and care needs; problem solve.
Sound judgment and good observation skills.
Ability to operate related equipment and software programs (word processing and spreadsheets).
CRC required (criminal record check) due to working with or having access to children or vulnerable adults
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.