Mental Health Support Worker
St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton
Job Description
Position Details
Posting #: 31828
Department: Forensic - Secure - Harbour North 3 (N3)
Employee Type: Temporary, Full Time
If Temporary, Number of Weeks: 52
Union: OPSEU
Openings Remaining: 1
Schedule
Work Days: Monday to Sunday, Holidays
Time of Day: Days, Afternoons, Nights
Shift: Various Rotating, 12 hour
Shift Start: Hours are subject to change based on operational requirements.
This position may be scheduled at any of the following sites: West 5th Campus (Hamilton Mountain)
Application Dates
Opening Date: 17/07/2025
Closing Date: 24/07/2025 Applications must be received online by 12:00 midnight on the Closing Date
Position Description
SUMMARY:
As a member of the multidisciplinary team, the Forensic Psychiatry Mental Health Support Worker will be responsible for working with patients with complex mental health issues which intersect with the legal system. Reporting to the Clinical Manager, the Mental Health Support Worker will contribute to the daily functioning unit and to participate in patient care under the direction of clinical staff, while focusing on tasks that ensure the safety of the patients, staff, and environment as a whole.
This position will belong to the Forensic Program, and will be available to meet the evolving needs of the program, supporting units while they fluctuate to higher acuity. This flexibility allows for a responsive staffing approach, providing additional support hours to Forensic inpatient units on a temporary, as needed basis.
While clinical engagement with patients is an expected part of this role, the primary function is to assist with safety based operational tasks which contribute to the safety of the unit milieu. They will perform unit, bedroom and patient searches, complete clinical monitoring, assist with meal supervision, accompany patients to off-unit programming and appointments, and provide additional support for seclusion room entries. Other duties may include support with preparation for transferring or discharges, attending the care desk to provide items as requested by patients, and facilitating supervised visits with approved persons or legal counsel.
The Mental Health Support Worker will contribute to the patient’s legal medical record, provide insights and information during team meetings, liaise with the interdisciplinary team and support the unit as a whole in its daily functioning.
- 2 year College diploma or undergraduate degree in related healthcare field (eg: Health and Human Services, Law, Public Safety background (eg: mental health worker, psychology, developmental services worker, sociology, public safety, etc.)
- CPR required
- Non-Violent Crisis training (CPI)
- Minimum of 1-year clinical experience in mental health preferred, including Forensic Psychiatry, Concurrent Disorders, Dual-Diagnosis, etc).
- Knowledge base of major mental disorders and current treatment modalities
- Knowledge of the Criminal Code of Canada as it pertains to working with mentally disordered offenders
- Familiarity with the Ontario Review Board, it’s role, responsibilities and authority
- Risk assessment tools, including AIS, DASA and the HARM
- Knowledge and understanding of custody and patient care in a mental health environment
- Awareness of issues relating to substance use, violence and it’s predictors, contraband management, environmental risk assessments
- Knowledge of the impact of power dynamics and role responsibilities in working with an involuntary patient population
- Knowledge and experience in risk management or safeguarding practices
- Excellent judgement, assessment, communication and problem-solving skills
- Awareness of de-escalation techniques that promote patient empathy and prioritize safety
- Clear and accurate documentation skills that easily highlight pertinent information related to risk and patient care
- Work effectively with a multi-disciplinary team
- Ability to balance empathetic care and risk management in a dynamic inpatient environment
- Communicate safety issues in a clear and timely way, providing solutions and support to unit staff
- Balancing competing demands while prioritizing unit operations and safety
- Monitor and observe patients for signs of escalating behavior on the unit, targeting of other patients, illegal and/or restricted activities or items, and changes in presentation, communicate and intervene with care team as appropriate
- Perform routine environmental scans and observational rounds, care desk support, meal supervision (including cutlery counts), fresh air courtyard access
- Provides ongoing psychosocial support using effective communication skills with patients, family and interprofessional team
- Provide information and support to staff during management of urgent situations, including escape custody, code white, etc.
- Attend to safety based activities including patient searching and metal detection when returning from passes, assist with room and unit searches, provide support for seclusion entries, signing patients off unit, and accompanying patients for off unit passes and appointments as per legal requirements
- Ensure team consistency and uniformity with unit processes and procedures related to safety
- Review mail and package delivery items for contraband, conduct spot checks on patients out on passes, and assist with monitoring and signing in and out of items on restricted list searching and monitoring visits
- Participate in team meetings and provide relevant information to primary nurse/ charge nurse/ psychiatrist
- Liaise with interdisciplinary team including nursing, social work, psychology and psychiatry, in-house legal counsel and intake
- Bring forward concerns about safety to the appropriate people in a timely manner
- Contribute to team discussions regarding risk assessments for patients and the unit environment
- Conduct appropriate recordkeeping/documentation for electronic health record, as well as statistical data entry
- Communicates information that is pertinent to weekly, monthly and annual patient reports
- Ensure the sign in/ sign out dashboard is accurate, mitigate risks of escape custody
- Other duties as assigned within scope of practice and training provided
St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton (SJHH) is an equal opportunity employer and strives for equity, inclusiveness, and diversity in all our programs, practices, facilities, and people. We foster a culture of patient and staff safety where all positions comply and work in conjunction with the Mission, Vision, and Core Values of SJHH.
We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. SJHH is committed to a barrier-free recruitment and selection process - please inform us should accommodation be required at any point in the recruitment process.