Somerset West Community Health Centre (SWCHC) Mental Health Navigator (French, Arabic Desirable)
We are Somerset West Community Health Centre (SWCHC), a non-profit, community-governed organization that serves over 18,000 clients annually. Established in 1978, SWCHC provides a wide range of health care services such as primary health care, health promotion, community development, mental health, and harm reduction. We are deeply connected to the communities we serve and committed to removing barriers to accessing services for people who are vulnerable because of their age, income, ability, sexual orientation or gender identity, and language or culture.
SWCHC strives to ensure that our team reflects the communities we serve. We work within an anti-racist, anti-oppressive framework that acknowledges the existence and impacts of systemic racism and seeks to ensure that systems are fair and equitable for everyone.
About ONHC
The Ottawa Newcomer Health Centre (ONHC) is a proud program of the Somerset West Community Health Centre that provides healthcare, offers timely, coordinated and culturally appropriate health and social services to newcomers. Our approach to care is through a health equity lens with a focus on addressing the social determinants of health to improve the lives and wellbeing of our clients.
Position Description
The Mental Health Navigator assists clients to navigate the healthcare and social service system and ensures that proper referrals are made within the community in order to meet the needs of clients. The incumbent works closely with other members of the interdisciplinary team to provide health education, advocacy, case management support and practical assistance while playing an intermediary role between clients and service providers. The ideal candidate will understand and support SWCHC’s mission, possess excellent interpersonal skills, organizational capabilities, and reporting abilities. The individual is motivated and passionate about working with newcomers and enjoys working in a fast-paced environment and has experience providing crisis counseling and basic mental health interventions.
Position Requirements
Education
- Bachelor of Social Work or Social Service diploma or equivalent combination of training and experience in a related field
- Member in good standing with regulatory college; highly recommended. Member of a recognized college
Professional Experience
- Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a community setting with emphasis on crisis intervention, practical assistance, and case coordination services
- Minimum 2-3 years’ experience working with marginalized and diverse client populations, specifically with refugees and immigrant populations.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Awareness of acts or legislation that governs practices: Workplace Hazardous Material Information System (WHMIS), Child Protection Act, Personal Health Information
- Protection Act (PHIPA), Mental Health Act, Principles of routine practices (universal precautions)
- Knowledge of social determinants of health, mental health promotion and prevention
- Experience with crisis counseling, and crisis intervention strategies, supporting community members in accessing services they need for their wellness journey.
- Ability and skills to recognize and manage the signs of a client in crisis
- Quality case management experience working with clients towards their goals.
- Ability to provide system navigation support, and resource connection.
- In depth knowledge of local, regional and provincial community resources and services related to mental health, primary care, settlement services.
- Good understanding and knowledge of culturally sensitive care and interventions
- Experience working in community mental health.
- Knowledge and comfort with a harm reduction approach
- Commitment to strength-based philosophy and practice
- Assessment and intervention skills; sound judgment skills
- Ability to provide basic education to individuals and families
- Ability to work in a collaborative interdisciplinary team environment
- Excellent communication skills, able to bridge gap between clients and service providers and service agencies
- Ability to coordinate case conferences of professionals from various disciplines and family/significant others
- Ability to provide client advocacy
- Respect the privacy of all clients and adhere to strict confidentiality protocols to protect client personal and sensitive health and social information.
- Proficient use of computers and various software applications and electronic medical records management systems
Language Capability
Fluency in English is required
Fluency in French, Arabic highly desirable