Mental Health & Addictions Specialist

The Community Mental Health & Addiction Recovery service provides a range of services and supports. This may include working with people with severe and persistent mental health disorders and/or people struggling with substance use and addictions to live satisfying, hopeful and contributing lives even within the limitations caused by their illness.

The Mental Health and Addictions Specialist provides leadership in promoting and maintaining excellence in the delivery of relevant, evidence-based interventions within the community.

Reporting to the Director of Health Services or Lead, the Mental Health & Addictions Recovery Specialist addresses key clinical issues by providing clinical expertise and leadership in the areas of clinical practice, consultation, supervision, interprofessional collaboration, human resources and performance management, education and training, program planning and research.

• Four years clinical work experience in at least one of the following: hospital, detox, community-based mental health or addictions or crisis services environment.
• Skills and experience in staff training and development within a continuous learning environment.
• Experience working with multi-disciplinary staff and promoting interprofessional practice.
• Knowledge of Indigenous mental health and addictions traditional healing practices preferred.
• Experience in clinical health and staff education.
• Experience in consultation and facilitation.
• Experience in program planning, development and evaluation.

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant healthcare discipline required
• Master’s degree in Human Service/ Health field or related equivalency and experience preferred (i.e., Psychology, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Psychiatric Nursing, Education).
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

SPECIAL TRAINING:

• Comprehensive knowledge and advanced level of practice in clinical assessment and treatment models including but not limited to: Recovery model, Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Strength Based Perspective, Addiction & Substance Use Disorders, Harm reduction, mobile withdrawal, Crisis Response, Case Management, Interprofessional Practice, Motivational Interviewing, prevention and promotion, service coordination and integration, supportive counselling, Trauma Informed Practice, and Systems Theory.

• Responsible for maintaining and providing proof of active registration with the appropriate registering body.
• Valid driver’s license and access to/use of a vehicle (transportation arrangements must meet the operational requirements of the Health Authority).
• Criminal Record Check, Adult Abuse Registry and Child Abuse Registry checks required.

• Demonstrated leadership, coaching, and mentoring abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to problem-solve in complex situations.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and facilitate processes and partnerships for practice development.
• Demonstrated ability to research, analyze and summarize reliable information to determine action required.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with individuals, and in the context of families, groups and communities.
• The incumbent will demonstrate excellent interpersonal communication skills including group facilitation; demonstrates consistent ability to express ideas effectively, work with a high-degree of discretion and diplomacy and maintain high functioning relationships.
• Excellent written communication skills with demonstrated ability to synthesize complex information for a variety of audiences.

• May be required to work extended hours.