Sobering & Assessment Centre

Temporary, Full-time (September 2026 - until return of incumbent)

POSITION SUMMARY

CMHA is looking for a Temporary Full-Time Harm Reduction Worker (Night Shift) at the Sobering & Assessment

Centre. Reporting to and under the direction of the Manager, Warmland Services, the successful candidate will provide a safe, structured and secure environment, by assessing the patient, monitoring vital signs and other health checks while the patient is intoxicated.

QUALIFICATIONS

Qualifications include the successful completion of a diploma or certificate in a Community Mental Health

Program; Intermediate First Aid; Non-violent crisis intervention certificate; Food Secure Level 1; WHMIS.

Minimum of four years experience working with people with mental health and addictions issues and their families.

POSITION DETAILS

This is a Temporary Full-Time Union Position (37.5 hours per week). The hours of work are 12am – 8am,

Thursday-Monday, (7.5 hours/day excluding meal breaks). The rate of pay is $29.76 per hour (Pay Grid 21) plus a shift differential of $2.50/hr for working nights. In addition, a shift differential is paid for working Saturdays and Sundays ($0.50/hr). The position offers attractive Benefits Package along with Municipal Pension Plan upon eligibility. Successful candidate will start as soon as possible.

APPLICATION DETAILS

Please submit your resume clearly outlining your education, experience, and qualifications as they relate to this position via email to [email protected]. Kindly specify the title of the position in your subject.

Applications will be accepted until September 17, 2026.

Please note that proof of a successful clearance of a Criminal Record Check for vulnerable sector is a condition of employment with CMHA Cowichan Valley Branch.

CMHA-CVB adheres to the values of diversity, cultural safety, and respect for all, as identified in its Anti-Racism

Statement, please visit our website at cmhacowichanvalley.com.

We thank all applicants in advance for their interest; however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Position Title: Harm Reduction Worker – Sobering & Assessment Centre

Program Area: Sobering & Assessment Centre

Date: July 2021 (amended Dec 2023)

Grid: 21

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW:

Providing services in the Cowichan Valley since 1992, Canadian Mental Health Association - Cowichan Valley

Branch (CMHA-CVB) is a registered charity and not-for-profit, independent society operating under a branch division agreement with CMHA British Columbia and within the context of the nation-wide Strategic Plan of the Canadian Mental Health Association.

As part of a national organization and an advocate of mental health for all,



CMHA-CVB facilitates access to resources people need to maintain and improve mental health and wellbeing, and to participate in community integration, build resilience, and support recovery from mental illness and/or substance use and addiction.

CMHA-CVB operates Warmland House Emergency Shelter, Transitional Housing Services, Sobering and

Assessment Centre, Adult Outreach programs, Mischa Lelum Youth Emergency Shelter, a Youth Centre, Youth

Connect, Bounce Back personal coaching, Family Capacity Program, Rainbows and a variety of other counselling/therapeutic programs for children, youth, and families.

CMHA-CVB also provides community education and advocacy aimed at the promotion of good mental health and in support of individuals and families with mental health challenges.

CMHA-CVB adheres to the values of diversity, cultural safety, and respect for all, as identified in its Anti-Racism

Statement as attached.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Sobering & Assessment Centre is for individuals who are under the influence of substances to sober up and who, because of their intoxication, are unable to access appropriate services in the community and is an important component in the community’s continuum of services for mental health and substance abuse issues.

Reporting to the Manager, Warmland Services, the Harm Reduction Worker, Sobering & Assessment Centre provides a secure, structured and secure environment, by assessing the patient, monitoring vital signs and other health checks while the patient is intoxicated.

RESPONSIBILITIES

- Performing standardized patient assessments
- Ongoing monitoring and assessment of patient vital signs including blood pressure, temperature and

pulse oximetry
- Documenting and charting patient vitals and responses
- Engaging positively with people who use illicit substances and other stigmatized populations using a

harm reduction approach
- Applying sound judgement, staying grounded and using creativity, flexibility and assertiveness when

working through often unpredictable situations and emergencies
- Administering Naloxone, if required
- Responding to changeable and sometime volatile behaviours utilizing non-violent communication and

de-escalation techniques
- Ensuring that the maintenance, cleanliness, and safety standards of the Sobering & Assessment Centre





are met and reporting any discrepancies to the Manager
- Performing housekeeping duties such as sanitizing tables, sweeping and mopping floors and dusting

and laundry
- Completing and maintaining related records and documentation such as intake forms, incident reports,

daily stats and logbooks
- Working professionally and ethically in a team setting, including maintaining confidentiality, and staying

focused on the client’s needs
- Performing other related duties as assigned by the Manager and/or Team Lead

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:

- Good understanding and knowledge of trauma-informed practice, including that around mental illness,

addictions, and concurrent disorders
- Knowledge of cultural competency and anti-racist practices
- Fully familiar with the use of medical monitoring equipment like blood pressure, temperature and

pulse oximetry and the Automated External Defibrillation (AED)
- Fully familiar with emergency protocols and able to direct others in time of crisis or emergency
- Sound judgment, excellent problem solving and crisis management skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive and collaborative working relationships

with individuals and teams
- Ability to observe and recognize behavioral and/or health status changes in clients
- Ability to work professionally, effectively and non-judgmentally with a broad range of personalities,

needs, cultures, abilities and socioeconomic backgrounds
- Ability to organize and prioritize own workload
- Ability to be flexible and adaptable
- Ability to work independently while maintaining an awareness of when to seek out direction,

consultation and support
- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
- Motivated to work in a non-profit environment

QUALIFICATIONS:

- Diploma or Certificate in Community Mental Health Program
- Training/education in human and social services
- Experience working with people with mental health and addictions issues and their families
- Experience working in a homeless shelter or residential care facility
- Recent, related experience of four years or an equivalent combination of education, training, and

experience
- Occupational First Aid Level II requirements and would be trained in the following:
- vital signs including blood pressure, temperature and pulse oximetry
- proper patient charting techniques
- overdose protocols and Naloxone administration

- Food Safe Level 1
- Non-violent intervention training

- WHMIS
- Willingness to work evenings, nights and weekends when required
- Successful clearance of a Criminal Record Check for vulnerable sector

📌 Harm Reduction Worker, Sobering and Assesment Cenrter, Temporary Full-Time (Nights) (Duncan)
🏢 Canadian Mental Health Association
📍 Duncan