Mental Health & Addictions Outreach Worker/Social Worker

Do you have a passion for working with those who are going through significant substance use and / or mental health issues?

Do you want to work with a multidisciplinary team that offers support services in evidence-based Assertive Community Treatment?

If so, this position may be for you!

Job Overview : Reporting to the Clinical Team Lead, the Social Worker / Mental Health Outreach Worker is a key member of the Pathways Team and is responsible for utilizing a variety of approaches to support program participants to achieve stability and wellness while reintegrating into community.

Social Workers / Mental Health Outreach Workers with Pathways offer advocacy, skills teaching, resource referral, etc., and are responsive to ACT Team duties.

This is a full-time, permanent position.

Key Responsibilities :

Program Philosophy

• Provide culturally sensitive services as needed
• Adhere to ACT Model, Harm Reduction, Housing First, and Trauma-Informed Care principles
• Know and follow the Residential Tenancy Act, Mental Health Act, and Community Treatment Orders
• Follow program policies and procedures

Administrative

• Complete monthly assessments and data entry
• Develop, implement, and update participant-centered service plans and safety plans
• Maintain high standards in documentation per agency policy and professional requirements

Client Care

• Deliver assertive outreach to individuals with severe mental health and addiction issues
• Support participants with acute mental health and substance use disorders
• Connect participants to community services and assist with referrals
• Teach and support daily living skills (e.g., cooking, budgeting)
• Identify and mitigate eviction risks, assist with unit inspections
• Provide transportation support and help with daily living activities
• Advocate for participants' rights and assist with rent and arrears
• Support medication management and demonstrate strong crisis support skills
• Be flexible and innovative in service delivery
• Assist with needs like housing, employment, and community integration

Team

• Exhibit strong written and oral communication skills
• Participate actively in team and case planning meetings
• Work independently and support team members
• Maintain professionalism and collaborate with partner agencies
• Provide and receive feedback to foster a positive team environment
• Facilitate relevant group programming

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Addictions Counselling, Community Rehabilitation, or related field
• Eligible for Alberta professional registration (e.g., Alberta College of Social Workers)
• Minimum two years’ experience in a social service setting
• Experience with vulnerable populations with mental health and substance use issues
• Knowledge of local resources and Housing First, Harm Reduction models
• Comfort with community-based individual meetings
• Knowledge of evidence-based interventions (e.g., motivational interviewing, de-escalation)
• Strong communication, organization, advocacy, and rapport-building skills
• Class 5 non-GDL driver’s license, personal vehicle, clean driving record, $2 million liability insurance
• Standard First Aid Level C CPR & AED within 30 days of hire, valid for at least 6 months
• Satisfactory vulnerable sector criminal record clearance
• Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada : Calls to Action

Work Environment and Hours :

• Location : predominately outreach
• Standard hours 8 : 30 4 : 30, Monday to Friday, some flexibility in schedule available
• Mandatory On-Call Rotation
• Continuous extended periods of sitting, standing, and walking (sometimes up or down stairwells)
• Frequent driving as part of work duties
• Occasional physical action requiring the ability to bend / crouch, reach above shoulder height, kneel / crawl, and carry objects (up to and over 20Ibs.) throughout shift
• Frequent time outside in all weather conditions

Benefits :

Some of the great benefits The Alex has to offer include :

• 3-weeks’ vacation
• Medical and Dental Coverage
• Health / Wellness Spending Accounts
• RRSP and / or Student Loan Repayment Program (up to 5% match)
• Personal Days
• Floating Holiday
• Sick / Wellness Days
• Employee Family Assistance Plan (EFAP)
• Professional Development

About The Alex : The Alex is a beacon of hope for Calgary’s most vulnerable citizens, offering wrap-around health care, housing, social, and wellness programs.

With a patient and client-centered approach, we envision a community where every individual is valued and empowered to thrive.

Our mission is to improve quality of life through accessible and integrated health, housing, and social services. With five decades of experience, we have earned a reputation for tackling tough health and social issues, guiding individuals on their journey from crisis to wellness, and from challenge to change.

Program Overview : Pathways to Housing is an evidence-based Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program guided by Housing First and Harm Reduction principles.

Pathways to Housing supports participants with a primary psychotic illness (e.g., schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder, and bipolar II disorder with psychotic features), a history of chronic homelessness, and a capacity for independent living in scattered site housing.

Our interdisciplinary team of psychiatrists, physicians, nurses, mental health therapists, occupational therapists, social workers, recreation therapists, housing, and administrative staff, collaborate to support program participants to achieve stable housing, pursue greater overall health and wellness, reintegrate into community, and to move towards recovery.