Wesley·Hamilton, Ontario
The Health and Wellness Navigator provides on-site mental health and harm reduction support to individuals experiencing homelessness within a multi-disciplinary team. Responsibilities include conducting comprehensive assessments, developing service plans, managing crisis situations, and liaising with community partners to facilitate treatment and housing pathways.
Are you the one we’re looking for?
We are seeking a dynamic, highly motivated Health and Wellness Navigator who demonstrates our values of compassion, accountability, responsiveness and empowerment; to our clients, families and each other.
The Health and Wellness Navigator is reporting to the Manager, Community Housing Services, Halton, this position will provide on-site mental health and harm reduction support to people utilizing the Emergency Supportive Housing Program.
Within a multi-disciplinary team, you will actively provide support and therapeutic services to individuals experiencing homelessness and/or living with acute substance use and related health and mental health issues.
Services are based on a harm reduction, trauma-informed, and client-directed approach to service delivery.
This position is a unionized, full-time, permanent position.
The rate of pay is $30.76 per hour.
Hours per week are 40.
Key Responsibilities:
Complete a comprehensive assessment and service plan.
Assist participants in identifying areas of need and goal development, ensuring goals are attainable and time-specific, and that the participant plays an integral role in the decision-making process.
Assist with supporting participants with de-escalation, crisis management, referrals for specialized care, consults, harm reduction support, and the development of crisis and safety plans.
Engage with participants informally and formally on a regular basis to build rapport and trust.
Manage Harm Reduction/ Safe Supply and Naloxone Supplies on site and ensure all staff and program participants are trained on use.
Liaise with community partners to develop housing and treatment pathways.
Attend daily wellness checks in conjunction with additional support staff.
Collaborate with intensive case managers and participants to develop service plans to reflect housing goals, recovery pathways, life skills, education, employment planning and after care as well as informal counselling.
Refer and coordinate required medical and/or community services.
Assist participants with their move into accommodations and referral to local services.
Maintain regular, effective communication with administrators, community partners and physicians, to ensure an integrated approach that will provide the best support possible for participants to maintain housing.
Attend and engage in regular visits with participants to provide supports specific to daily living skills, conflict resolution, crisis intervention and prevention, budgeting assistance, financial literacy, harm reduction, and safe use practices, in collaboration with the assigned ICMs through the Emergency Supportive Housing Program.
Work cooperatively as a member of the program team.
Participate in community and team meetings.
Participate in the development, implementation, and evaluation of services provided.
Maintain appropriate and accurate record-keeping practice, as per expectations of Wesley.
Support with on-call rotation coverage.
Other duties as assigned.
Minimum of three years of relevant, practical experience with the target population and a post-secondary degree from a recognized educational institution in Human Services, Social Work or a related field Preference will be given to candidates with registration and member in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) ASSIST and Mental Health First Aid certification would be a valuable asset. FIRST Aid and CPR Knowledge and use of various mental health and addiction assessment tools would be ideal. (e.g., OCAN, PROM and LOCUS). Must be able to meet travel expectations of the position; a valid Driver’s license and access to a vehicle. Lived experience is an asset.
Invest in Yourself as we Invest in You! Wesley offers… A positive work culture that prioritizes all staff having an opportunity to contribute A supportive team that will empower you to achieve great milestones! Fun and engaging organizational events such as our Staff Appreciation Event Professional development and training opportunities Employee Discounts Evening and Weekend scheduling and availability Daytime shift (Some flex expected for housing purposes) Please Apply Via: Our Wesley Bamboo Portal:
https://wesley.bamboohr.com/jobs/ From there you can access all of Wesley’s job postings Wesley is an equal-opportunity employer. We encourage applications from all qualified applicants. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please. More information about Wesley can be found on our website at www.wesley.ca.
Candidates must possess a post-secondary degree in Human Services, Social Work, or a related field and at least three years of relevant experience with the target population. A valid driver's license and access to a vehicle are required, with preference given to those registered with the OCSWSSW.
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.
