Crisis Specialist (2024-454-CC)

About this position

Competition: (2024-454-CC): Crisis Specialist

Employment Type: Casual, Bargaining Unit (1 Vacancy)
Work Hours: 7.5 - 22 hours/week, Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm and some weekends and holidays required, 1 - 3 shifts/week
Work Setting: Onsite - Limited opportunities to work remotely
Salary: I: $28/hour
Application Deadline: November 28th, 2024, by 11:59 pm

Program Overview – Crisis Outreach Service for Seniors, Community Care
This position works on behalf of WoodGreen in an inter-agency, multi-disciplinary Crisis Outreach Service for Seniors with mental health and substance misuse issues.   This service is offered through a partnership between Woodgreen, St. Michaels Homes, South Riverdale Community Health Centre, Reconnect Community Health Services and LOFT Community Services.

The service is a 7 day a week mobile crisis intervention and outreach service focused on individuals 65 years of age and older who have a mental health and/or substance use issues, with some exceptions for individuals 55 - 64 years of age, including those who are homeless.  The service area is the City of Toronto. The population of focus for this service is frail, marginalized, at risk seniors, who may be homeless or vulnerably housed, living in poverty, and/or new immigrants. 

This position is responsible to WoodGreen’s Crisis Supervisor.  

This position is expected to carry out the services in accordance to WoodGreen’s policies and procedures, COSS’ mandate and procedures, Ministry of Health, and health related authorities, and all relevant legislation.This philosophy of this work is in keeping with WoodGreen’s mission to toenhance self-sufficiency, promote well-being and reduce poverty through innovative solutions to critical social needs.

What You Will Do

• Participate in crisis shifts; visit clients in their homes or community locations with a partner.
• Assess client needs, develop and implement service plans with short and long term objectives.
• Assist clients to access acute care and emergency services when appropriate, and help facilitate client discharges from local emergency departments.
• Monitor clients, identifying additional needs, and reactivating supports, when warranted.          
• Liaise with convalescent care, transitional care, acute care, emergency departments, rehabilitation centres, and complex continuing care to ensure that clients who have been hospitalized have appropriate follow-up services.
• Refer clients and caregivers to a range of community resources, including meals, drop-in centres, social recreational programs, clothing exchanges, etc.
• Carry out service documentation requirements in a timely and professional manner.
• Work with other team members and the partner agencies to develop and implement strategies which reduce client/caregiver dependencies on acute care and emergency departments.
• Gather statistical and narrative information required for the program and organization.
• Support team members and students and participate in team meetings
• Ensure that anti-oppression, community development, and harm reduction principles are achieved in the program.
• Participate in regular supervisory sessions and annual performance appraisals with the program manager.
• Participate in ongoing training and education when appropriate.
• Perform other related duties as required.

• Masters of Social Work or post-graduate degree in relevant field MSW or Post-Graduate degree in a related area with 2+ years of extensive crisis/complex seniors experience or BSW with 5+ years of extensive crisis/complex/seniors’ experience

• Registration in good standing with the Ontario College of Social workers and Social Service Workers or another relevant regulatory body in Ontario (e.g. CPRO or COTO).   
• Requires related experience in crisis support and demonstrated experience working with complex seniors

• Experience in crisis support/intervention.
• Demonstrated experience in crisis support/intervention.
• Demonstrated experience supporting seniors with mental health and substance use issues from a recovery and harm reduction approach
• Proven ability in case management and supportive counseling skills
• Strong assessment skills.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Demonstrated information and referral skills; and ability to effectively link client to supportive services.
• Self-directed and independent, but also experienced in working effectively as a member of multi-disciplinary team, which includes internal and external stakeholders.
• Proven ability to minimize barriers through service delivery for low income individuals with mental health and substance abuse issues
• Ability to work from a client-centered approach.
• Knowledge of issues affecting older adults and geriatric populations
• Knowledge of the health sector and its related services.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Demonstrated ability to follow policies, procedures, and adhere to legislation.
• Understanding of clinical practices and care models.
• Ability to exercise good judgment, flexibility, and contribute to the effective functioning of a multi-disciplinary interagency Crisis Service focused of older adults.
• Applied computer skills (MS word, excel, and Internet).
• Ability to use case management software is an asset (Pirouette).
• Ability to communicate in another language is an asset.
• Ability to work weekends, statutory holidays as required.