Relief, Addiction

Relief Addiction and Mental Health Worker,
Withdrawal Management and Crisis Services, Elgin
Direct Service - (OPSEU)
St. Thomas, Ontario (Elgin Zone)
This position is the result of an existing vacancy
- Application Deadline: February 2, 2026 -

We believe in recovery.

The Addiction and Mental Health Worker will support individuals accessing services by providing a psychological response in order to promote crisis resolution and empowerment for the individual. Staff will actively support individuals who are experiencing withdrawal form substances in a community setting. Staff will work collaboratively with individuals to assess and identify their needs and link them within community services to provide coordinated, community based health and social services. This position will work within a multi-disciplinary team framework throughout St. Thomas and Elgin County.
We are currently seeking candidates with open availability for all shifts, including weekdays and weekends; including day, afternoon, evening, and overnight shifts. Shift length in these programs varies, up to and including 12-hour shifts. Relief staff have flexibility to accept shifts that suit their schedules but will commit to accepting a minimum of three shifts per month. While the minimum shift requirement is currently three shifts per month, Relief staff have the ability to pick up shifts at their discretion up to a maximum of 44 hours per week, and will also be eligible for optional enrollment into the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP).

Successful candidates must have a Police Vulnerable Sector Check completed in the last six months. Interested applicants who reside in the City of London and are in need of a Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) are encouraged to apply for one as soon as possible as PVSCs in the City of London are currently taking approximately 2 weeks to be processed and offers of employment cannot be made without receipt of a PVSC.

Consider revitalizing your career and making a difference in your community by joining our team

WHAT WE'RE OFFERING:

• What you'll be making - Starting rate for this role is $27.14 per hour (Level 1 – Direct Service), with a wage differential, based on regulation ($30.01 per hour for Level 1 – Direct Service, Regulated):
  • Successful candidates who are registered with one of the designated professional colleges (e.g. OCSWSSW, CNO, COTO, CRPO, CPSO, or CPO) will receive the wage differential for regulation
  • Successful external applicants will start at Level 1, with grid progression based on seniority up to Level 8 ($34.41 per hour for non-regulated, and $37.26 per hour for regulated)
  • For internal applicants, grid level placement will occur as per the Collective Agreement
• When you'll work: Casual Shifts to include days, afternoons, evenings, nights and weekends
• Your pension plan – Immediately eligible for optional enrolment in in the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)

HOW YOU WILL BE MAKING A DIFFERENCE:

• Provide client-centered care from a harm reduction approach
• Engage in community development, capacity building and program development with a wide variety of service providers
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of service providers and organizations
• Acquire and maintain a high level of current knowledge about substance use disorders and trends as well as treatment options
• Facilitate successful service navigation for clients through empowerment and/or advocacy
• Provide mental health assessments to emergency departments (St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital - STEGH) upon request
• Support individuals as requested by St. Thomas Police Service and Elgin County OPP
• Provides counselling support to those attending at one of CMHA TVAMHS Elgin County based Crisis Services at STEGH, 10 Mondamin St. as well as mobile.
• Provide education, referrals and support for people using substances and related needs
• Manage indirect services and administrative duties
• Engage in community development, community awareness, education and outreach as designated and appropriate, representing the agency in a professional manner. On occasion, these services may be provided outside of regular office hours
• Attend and actively participate in team meetings and case conferencing meetings
• Maintain awareness of and adherence to policies and protocols
• Support and participate in the quality enhancement activities of the team and agency
• Actively participate in the supervisory process with immediate supervisor
• Provide coverage for other team members as volunteered/directed
• Be supportive of and an active participant in the constant evolution and growth of the agency

WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO APPLY:

Police Vulnerable Sector Check Requirements

Successful candidates must have a Police Vulnerable Sector Check completed in the last six months. Interested applicants who reside in the City of London and are in need of a Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) are encouraged to apply for one as soon as possible as PVSCs in the City of London are currently taking approximately 2 weeks to be processed and offers of employment cannot be made without receipt of a PVSC.

We require the following qualifications:

• Post- secondary education in a related field, preferably BSW or post-graduate diploma in addiction or equivalent (primary proof of credentials will be required during the hiring process i.e. original degree/diploma or official transcript)
• Driver's licence, access to a reliable vehicle and adequate insurance to transport clients
• Demonstrated ability to attend work regularly

We prefer the following qualifications:

• 2 years' work experience in mental health and addiction field
• Knowledge of psychosocial rehabilitation
• Experience working in a residence setting
• Clinical work experience ideally in substance abuse assessment and treatment including intake and crisis services
• Capacity and comfort level dealing with street-involved individuals and treatment including intake and crisis services
• First Aid & CPR, ASIST, CPI trainings
• Bilingual both official languages, preferred; préférence sera accordée aux candidats qui sont compétents dans les deux langues officielles du Canada

INTERNAL APPLICANTS: To be considered as an internal applicant, current staff members are reminded to apply using their or email address.

Get your application in by – February 2, 2026:

Our recruitment process allows us to learn about your previous work experience, your qualifications and your commitment to fulfilling our vision. While we appreciate the interest of all applicants, only those individuals being considered for a position will be personally contacted by someone from the interview team.

We welcome and encourage applications from all members of our community including persons of any gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation, persons with disabilities, Indigenous persons, and members of visible minorities. If you require accommodations related to a disability at any point during the recruitment process, please contact

• For legal purposes our full business name is: Canadian Mental Health Association Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services
• Artificial Intelligence is not currently employed in our recruitment processes