Case Manager - Early Psychosis Intervention/LYNX

The Early Psychosis Intervention (E.P.I.) program delivers public education, assessment, and treatment services for individuals experiencing the early stages of psychosis, and their families. The Case Manager (C.M.) is an experienced mental health clinician and an integral member of an interprofessional team.  The C.M. works collaboratively with all E.P.I. team members including Psychiatrists, Nurses, Peer Support Workers, Family Education Support Workers, and the Public Educator. 

The C.M. is responsible for the overall care coordination and provision of direct mental health interventions for youth experiencing first episode of psychosis.   Case Management services include assertive outreach, screening and assessment, service planning and evaluation, consultation with other services providers, crisis intervention, and mental health intervention to support stabilization and eventual recovery.  Working from recovery and empowerment oriented philosophies, with a person-in-the-environment approach, the C.M. assists clients to improve the quality of their lives through the provision of community based, client-centered services that support independent living and reintegration to their communities.

The C.M. also provides consultation/education services to families, caregivers, community professionals, and the broader community on Early Psychosis Intervention.

Location: Cobourg
Status: Full-Time Temporary (12 months)
Posting# CM-EPI-COB-FTT-10-25

Wage: $30.95 to $32.28 per hour
Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

Key Responsibilities

1. Client Supports

Provide assertive outreach and rapid response to youth who may be experiencing psychosis, completing initial intake screening and assessments

Follow-up with referral sources, including youth and their families, to make appropriate recommendations for youth who may not be eligible for E.P.I. services

In collaboration with client, family and the interprofessional team, develop a recovery-oriented treatment plan

Provide clinical case management for individuals experiencing symptoms of first episode psychosis, and their families

In collaboration with youth and the treatment team, continually monitor and evaluate the experience of meaningful recovery, improved quality of life, and achievement of goals, and make changes to the treatment plan as necessary

Provide crisis intervention and promote stabilization

Provide best practice mental health interventions for psychosis, including individual, group and family counselling approaches, and social/vocational/educational rehabilitation support

Develop and facilitate psychosocial and recreational group programming for clients

Advocate at the person’s request for needed services and supports

Integrate psychosocial rehabilitation principles, promoting skills training and social integration

Work in tandem with Family Education Support Workers, ensuring that clients’ families are connected to appropriate support

2. Documentation

Complete all required documentation/statistical activities for both C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R. and the Lynx E.P.I. program, including monthly submission of Lynx statistics

Accurate and timely completion of progress notes, as per agency policy, on C.M.H.A. client record keeping systems and systems at partner organizations at each site of service

Intake, screening, and referral forms

C.A.N. assessments

Other assessments that may be utilized as informed by E.P.I.O.N. and best practice research in early psychosis

Accurate and timely completion of all other administrative documentation including time sheets, expense claims, vacation. time off requests, and training requests

Completion of other documentation that may be required from time-to-time

3. Other Activities

Consult with other professionals regarding Lynx clients including family physicians and specialists in a variety of fields

On-going outreach and marketing with participation in resource development activities

Organize, deliver and evaluate presentations, workshops, public forums and special events

4. Performance Management and Professional Development

Participate cooperatively in the agency performance management process/system

Stay current on relevant legislation and best practices, current research, policies and  procedures

Participate in ongoing professional development and mandatory training

Actively engage and participate in supervisory process

5. Health and Safety – Worker Responsibilities

Work in compliance with the Occupational Health And Safety Act, applicable regulations and all organizational health and safety requirements and procedures to ensure the health and safety of clients, staff/colleagues, volunteers and students

6. Client Safety

Adhere to C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R. client safety programs including program policies as well as infection control and prevention procedures.  In partnership with clients, family members, and fellow staff, maintain open lines of communication to assist the organization in identifying and achieving quality outcomes for client safety.  Report client safety incidents and suggested improvements to manager or delegate.

7. Other Duties as Assigned

Attend, participate in team/staff meetings, and all-staff meetings as required

Participate in agency quality improvement activities, e.g. accreditation projects, Information Systems Support and Privacy and Security committees, special events, etc.

Participate in quality improvement activities at the team/program level

Participate in external committees as required

Duties may change from time to time

Requirements of the Position:

A: Education and Training

Successful completion of post-secondary education in the social/health science disciplines.  A university degree is required; a Master’s degree is preferred. Consideration may be given to candidates with significant relevant EPI experience, education, and training. 

We recognize that mandatory training before hire is an asset, however, successful completion of the training applicable to this role shall be requirements for continued employment in this position:

Health and Safety Training (including but not limited to the following):

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (W.H.M.I.S. 2015)

Infection, Prevention & Control

Workplace Violence

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (A.S.I.S.T.)

Verbal Intervention Training

Client Record Management System (C.R.M.S.)

First Aid/Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (C.P.R.)

Assets with regard to this position:

Masters degree in a relevant field

B. Related and Relevant Experience

Mandatory experience

Three or more years of mental health experience providing clinical case management in a community setting

Sound knowledge of the Mental Health Act

Demonstrated knowledge of computer applications (Outlook, MS Office, databases)

Preferred experience

Three or more years of mental health experience providing clinical case management to youth and young adults experiencing psychosis for the first time

Registration with appropriate college or organization (e.g. College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, Registered Nurses of Ontario) is preferred

Intermediate to advanced minus proficiency in French

C. Competencies

Refer to C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R Competency Matrix

D. Other

Valid driver’s license

Automobile in good repair and insurance coverage as required by agency policy

Satisfactory police records search

Satisfactory references

Intermediate to advanced minus proficiency in French

Lived expertise with a mental health concern or addiction, either personally or with a family member is an asset

Proof of receipt of full COVID-19 vaccine

Ability to work remotely, for example from home, as required.

Requirement to have reliable home internet service and the technology to complete work from a remote location, for example computer/laptop, telephone, etc.

Working Conditions:

Work primarily in the community in various types of settings and regularly in an office setting (C.M.H.A. administrative offices)

Work directly with individuals living with serious mental illness and/or dual diagnosis and/or addictions, individuals who are experiencing emotional and/or mental health issues and are working towards recovery

Work directly with families of individuals living with serious mental illness, or who are experiencing symptoms of early psychosis

Work in a stressful environment where there are mental and emotional demands. There is a high volume of work as well as the unpredictable work, life-threatening situations for others such as instances of suicide

Flexible hours required to meet the needs of clients and their families

Transport clients in personal vehicle

There are multiple competing demands which require time management skills, the ability to be flexible and to prioritize

Work in a remote environment, such as a personal home, as required

As part of our recruitment process, we may use artificial intelligence tools to support or assist the review of applications.  These tools may help us identify candidates whose qualifications best match job requirements.