Mental Health Therapist

MENTAL HEALTH THERAPIST

Status:Regular Full-Time (1.0 FTE)

Reporting To:Supervisor, Mental Health Therapist

Date Available: Negotiable

Hours of Work: 7.75 hours per day, 38.75 hours per week

Shift Pattern:Days, Evenings, Weekends

Exempt/Non-Exempt:Non-Exempt

Program: Mental Health and Social Work

Job Classification: Mental Health Therapist

Salary: $40.92-$54.37

Closing Date:April 17, 2025

About Us

Mosaic Primary Care Network (PCN) provides a wide range of primary health care services in the northeast and southeast Calgary communities in partnership with a group of family doctors. Our talented interdisciplinary health care teams work together to provide services that best support patient needs.

We want YOU to bring your expertise to our growing team as we continue to develop solutions to meet the needs of our local community. If you have initiative, are resourceful, engage easily in teamwork, and most importantly, want to make a difference in healthcare, we want to hear from you!

Position Summary

The Mental Health Therapist (MHT) works as part of a multidisciplinary team serving community-based patients within the Mosaic Primary Care Network. The MHT is responsible for delivering a program of psychosocial assessment, consultation, and counselling services in accordance with evidence-based treatment models and professional standards of practice.

This position involves the provision of patient care through short-term counselling services for individuals experiencing psychological or emotional problems. This includes facilitation of workshops and groups to support mental health promotion and self-management. The Mental Health Therapist aims to create a collaborative and therapeutic environment that is goal-oriented, strengths-based, and culturally responsive.

The MHT supports collaborative working relationships with family physicians and the multidisciplinary team, including regular case consultation. The MHT participates in ongoing quality improvement activities, program development, and evaluations projects to support the continued refinement and delivery of high quality clinical care.

Key Responsibilities

Assessment

• Performs psychosocial and risk assessments of individuals, including routine screening for suicide and self-harm risks, risk to others, intimate partner violence, elder abuse, and child welfare concerns
• Uses validated brief screening questionnaires and instruments, as appropriate, to guide intake and treatment recommendations (eg. PHQ-9, GAD-7)
• Synthesizes assessment information and clinical theory to support evidence-informed treatment recommendations

Intervention

• Supports patients in identifying and prioritizing goals for brief therapy services
• Applies appropriate evidence-based models in the provision of therapeutic support and treatment
• Creates and maintains a therapeutic environment that is client-centered, strengths-based, and goal-oriented
• Actively elicits feedback from the patient regarding quality of the therapeutic relationship and therapist's approach in the interest of enhancing the therapeutic relationship
• Supports ongoing monitoring of patient progress and mental health status to support the provision of high-quality and appropriate patient care
• Coordinates appropriate referral to mental health services in the community to support treatment of complex or urgent mental health concerns, and to support ongoing treatment after discharge
• Provides psycho-educational and self-management skills coaching (eg. Deep breathing, mindfulness)
• Facilitates and develops psycho-educational and support groups for general and specific patient populations (eg. Pain Management Clinic, Anxiety Reduction)
• Works along a continuum of care in accordance with Standards of Practice set by the appropriate professional associations and relevant government legislation

Mental Health Promotion

• Supports mental health promotion and illness prevention with individuals, families, and the community through psychoeducational groups, workshops, and self-management skills building

Multidisciplinary Collaboration

• Demonstrates the ability to work as a member of a multidisciplinary health team and with family physicians
• Actively participates in group case consultation, and one-to-one case consultation with colleagues and the Clinical Supervisor
• Collaborates with other health care disciplines in the planning and development of health promotion and illness prevention programs
• Supports the orientation and development of team members through consultation, mentorship, and facilitating opportunities for new team members to observe clinical practice

Documentation & Evaluation

• Documents all phases of patient care in the appropriate Electronic Medical Record (EMR) to maintain accurate and timely records
• Participates in ongoing program evaluation through the diligent recording of clinical interactions and patient data in MPCN evaluation systems
• Participates in ongoing quality improvement initiatives within MPCN and the Mental Health Team

Community Engagement

• Participates in community activities within the Mosaic PCN catchment area, including health fairs, conferences, and other community events to promote Mosaic programs and services

Professional Development

• Identifies and works to achieve own professional development needs which support goals set in performance reviews
• Seeks mentorship to achieve full potential in professional development and provide optimal patient care

Other responsibilities as required

Qualifications & Requirements

Education & Licenses

• Masters degree in Psychology, Counselling, or Social Work
• Registration with either the College of Alberta Psychologists or Alberta College of Social Workers

Experience

• Preferred minimum of 3 years experience in providing psychosocial interventions and counselling therapy to individuals, families, and/or groups.
• Experience with facilitating psycho-educational and/or support groups with adults
• Experience working with culturally diverse and vulnerable persons

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong clinical competencies - including psychosocial assessments and the application of psychotherapeutic treatment models
• Ability to identify and administer appropriate brief screening tools and questionnaires (eg. PHQ-9, GAD-7)
• Advanced skills in crisis intervention and self-harm risk management strategies
• Awareness and sensitivity in working with diverse and vulnerable populations, including: Cultural and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ individuals, persons with disabilities and chronic illness, refugees, the elderly, and economically disadvantaged individuals
• Working knowledge of community and in-patient mental health services, crisis-support resources, and associated referral processes
• Able to work collaboratively as a member of a multidisciplinary team and with family physicians
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Strong time management and organizational skills
• Knowledge of, and adherence to, the Standards of Practice for the appropriate accrediting body
• Computer literacy including, Microsoft Office suite, Outlook calendar/email management, and Electronic Medical Records (EMRs)

Assets

• Multilingual
• Prior experience working in a health care setting and/or with multidisciplinary professional teams

Competencies

TheCore Competencieslisted below are identified by Mosaic leadership and should be demonstrated by all employees across the organization:

Practice Communication Excellence (Communication)

• Plan and deliver oral and written communications respectfully and tactfully to make an impact and persuade an intended audience.

Build Community-Feeling (Teamwork)

• Able to share due credit with coworkers, display enthusiasm, and team spirit and promote a friendly group working environment.

Advocate for Patient/Client (Patient/Client-Centricity)

• Able to demonstrate a high level of patient/client service delivery in a respectful and caring manner.

Understand Values of Change (Adaptability)

• Openness to different and new ways of doing things; willingness to modify one's preferred way of doing things with a positive attitude.

Embrace Culture and Diversity (Cultural Competency)

• Developing positive attitudes towards diverse populations; gaining knowledge of different life practices and world views.

Act with Professionalism (Personal Effectiveness)

• Takes personal responsibility for the quality and timeless or work and achieves results with little oversight.

Working Conditions

• Occasional evening and weekend hours required.
• Ability to travel on public transportation or valid drivers license with access to own car in good repair is required.

Why Mosaic PCN

We provide a competitive benefits package for eligible employees including: comprehensive health and dental coverage, Health Care Spending Account (HCSA) / Taxable Spending Account (TSA), a group RRSP matching program, professional development opportunities, generous vacation and other paid time off, and more!

Conditions of Employment

Successful applicants must provide proof of qualifications and a current police information check (PIC) including vulnerable search at the applicant's expense. The results of the PIC may alter or revoke any offer made by Mosaic PCN.

We would like to thank all applicants for their interest and resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to proceed through the selection process will be contacted. No phone calls please.

This position is part of the bargaining unit covered by a collective agreement with Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA).