Community Crisis Counsellors- Part Time - Victoria, Canada - AVI Health and Community Services

AVI Health and Community Services

Verified Company

Victoria, Canada

3 weeks ago

Posted by:

Sophia Lee

beBee Recruiter

Part time

Description

AVI Health & Community Services (AVI) is a multi-disciplinary community-based organisation providing HIV, hepatitis C and harm reduction services out of 5 locations across Vancouver Island. AVI provides services to people living with HIV and hepatitis C and harm reduction clients. We take evidence-based action to prevent infection, provide support, and reduce stigma. We work within a social justice and health promotion framework to ensure equity and access to services for all.

Join our supportive, dedicated and client-centred team in promoting the health, dignity and well-being of all people affected by HIV, HCV and substance use by delivering sex-positive and harm reduction-based education, prevention and/or support services.

AVI COMMUNITY-LED CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM (CLCR):

The AVI Community-Led Crisis Response Team (CLCR) is funded by the Province of British Columbia and the Canadian Mental Health Association.

CLCR is a peer-assisted care program and a mobile crisis response team, led by persons with lived/living experience and mental health professionals who are able to de-escalate crises and develop community care plans with persons experiencing crisis.

The CLCR Team is an alternate approach to responding to someone in crisis that focuses on health, well-being and community support.

Utilizing a community-based, client centered, trauma-informed response, a peer-assisted model of care has been proven to help individuals navigate mental and social care services and reduce engagement with the justice system and emergency services.

The CLCR team provides services on the territories of the Ləkwəŋən peoples (Esquimalt and Songhees nations).

JOB SUMMARY:

The CLCR team will provide acute mobile crisis support and de-escalation services for persons 13 years of age and older experiencing mental health and/or substance use related crises.

Working in collaboration with all team members, the Community Crisis Counsellor is responsible for providing rapid point of service mental health crisis management and de-escalation, including assessment, suicide intervention and safety planning, as well as acute care planning and follow-up.

Alongside the team, this role is grounded in person-centered, harm reduction and trauma informed approaches to care, which center the needs and agency of the service user.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.Crisis Response
CLCR is an emergency response team, supporting persons and their community/family experiencing mental health and substance use related crises.

At all times, the Community Crisis Counsellor is expected to be:

Ready and able to respond to mental health and substance use related crises,
Triage and adjust responses depending on call acuity, severing and other incoming calls,
Think critically and respond quickly, especially in critical situations and when deciding the next course of action,
Attend backtoback calls,
Communicate effectively with and follow the direction of the CLCR Team's Dispatch/Coordinator or any supervisor,
Remain responsive to incoming calls up until the end of shift, and/or when Mandatory Emergency Overtime is in effect,
Demonstrate emotional resilience, including and especially within complex situations,
Work effectively as a team, including respectful communication throughout and following an emergency crisis response,
Continuously center the needs of the person experiencing crisis
Effectively and professionally engage other care providers, including when advocating for a person in crisis, and/or when critically assessing and determining the next course of action,
Develop comprehensive safety plans and establish post crisis followup care, centering the needs of the person in crisis.

2.Situational Awareness, Scene Safety and Unpredictable Working Conditions

CLCR Works in environments and conditions that many change quickly, including with persons who may be or become escalated.

At all times, the Community Crisis Counsellor is expected to:

Utilize a trauma informed approach, including with persons who are escalated and who use language or express beliefs that could be offensive or triggering for staff,
Decenter themselves to provide care to all persons accessing our services,
Utilize situational awareness, assessment, deescalation, and mental health training to work safely within changing and unpredictable environments,
Be prepared for and able to adapt to changing work environments, including:
All kinds of weather
For extended periods
Within and around diverse types of substance use
Within and around respiratory illnesses
Within potentially hazardous dwellings
Within unknown and unpredictable environments
Perform inperson assessment to critically assess and determine the next course of action, including in cases where Dispatch was unable to provide detailed information,
Remain on scene and able to critically assess, including when a situation escalates and/or require