Student Placement

CMHA HPE is pleased to offer student placement opportunities to individuals interested in gaining hands-on learning experience within the environment of our agency and also directly in the field.  We recognize that placement is a major component of post-secondary education and we value the opportunity to support students in their career development.

Just as CMHA HPE has grown extensively over the past few years, so has the volume of students seeking placement with our organization.  Although limited in number, we offer placement prospects to those enrolled in a range of relevant college or university programs.  These include, but are not limited to, Social Work, Social Service Work, Community and Justice Studies, Behavioural Science, and Addictions and Mental Health.

Students can be placed in addictions residential treatment services, addictions treatment services-substance use, court diversion and mental health case management or related specialized programs.  Generally, opportunities to shadow staff from various programs will be incorporated in order to allow for the most comprehensive placement experience possible.

Student Eligibility Requirements:

• The student must be enrolled in a college or university program that requires him/her to complete a certain number of unpaid hours in the field of study in order to graduate.
• The student’s academic institution must be registered and in good standing with the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities or their appropriate regional governing body.
• The student must possess a valid driver’s license and insurance as well as access to a reliable vehicle.

If you are uncertain whether you are eligible, please contact your program’s administrative department prior to application.

**Student Placement Update: We are not accepting student placement applications at this time.

Application Process:

• Review agency program descriptions (following below) – select your top 3 placement choices.  Please note that placement opportunities will depend on availability within each program.
• Complete the online application identifying office location of choice.  Please note that staffing is limited in our satellite offices so there will be less chance of placement availability.
• Submit your application; you will receive an automatically generated response confirming receipt of the application. If preferred, you may instead print the completed application and email it to careers@cmhahpe.ca or fax it to 613-966-8735.
• Candidates will be contacted and advised of placement availability within 1-2 weeks following receipt of application.  Where possible, interview arrangements will be made with the placement coordinator.

We are committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment processes and work environments. If contacted, please advise us in a timely fashion of any accommodation assistance you require to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

Addictions and Mental Health Services Program Descriptions

Addictions Treatment Services- Substance Use Program

When placed with an addictions counsellor, students can expect to spend the day in the community or in the office observing client meetings based on a harm-reduction model and best practices to addressing substance use.  This may entail client assessments, treatment planning, supportive counselling and motivational interviewing.  Students will learn about service navigation and coordination, system and personal advocacy and so much more.  Behind the scenes tasks such as documentation will also be taught.

Direct involvement with clients will depend on the individual’s comfort level at having a student present.  Work-appropriate attire should be worn.  Students should have their own cell phone but client-related calls will be made on agency cell/office phones.

Addictions Supportive Housing (ASH)

The ASH program offers a challenging placement for students.  Being organized, flexible and able to communicate clearly and effectively are all musts.  Appointments take place in the client’s environment of choice, but preferably the home.  ASH eligibility requirements include a history of multiple entries to various addiction treatment services, homelessness or risk of homelessness, being marginally housed or under-housed and the desire to make changes to substance use along with the ability to identify harm reduction/abstinence substance goals.  Students will gain knowledge around assessments and treatment planning, supportive addictions counselling, service navigation and coordination and much more.

Direct involvement with clients will depend on the individual’s comfort level at having a student present.  Work-appropriate comfortable clothing and footwear is recommended.  Students should have their own cell phone but client-related calls will be made on agency cell/office phones.

Concurrent Disorders

Students completing placement with the Concurrent Disorders program will gain front-line knowledge on how to provide a holistic treatment approach to individuals experiencing both addictions and mental health issues.  Offered in the client’s environment of choice, Concurrent Disorder services include assessment and treatment planning, supportive counselling, advocacy, and system navigation and coordination, etc.  This program provides specialized care while supporting long-term goals through a modified approach that is both coordinated and comprehensive.

Direct involvement with clients will depend on the individual’s comfort level at having a student present.  Work-appropriate attire should be worn.  Students should have their own cell phone but client-related calls will be made on agency cell/office phones.  The Concurrent Disorders Program is offered in the Belleville and Trenton communities at either of the offices.

Court Diversion

For students keenly interested in learning about mental health within the court system, the Court Diversion program is a top choice.  A cooperative venture between the Criminal Justice System and the Mental Health System, this voluntary program provides services to individuals 16 or older with a mental illness who have been charged with a minor offence and have been recommended by the Crown Attorney.  Since court observation is one of the key functions in this program, a significant amount of placement time is spent in the courtroom with the remainder of the day being spent in-office meeting with clients or completing documentation.

Direct involvement with clients will depend on the individual’s comfort level at having a student present.  Business casual attire should be worn.  Students should have their own cell phone in the event that they need to contact Court Diversion staff.

Emergency Room Diversion Case Management (ERDCM)

Offering a wide range of learning opportunities, placement with ERDCM is fast-paced and demanding.  This short-term case management program offers services in Belleville and Trenton in coordination with other providers, including primary health care.  Students learn all that’s involved in assisting with diverting mental health and addictions clients from the Emergency Department.  This includes standard case management services as well as the development of coordinated care plans, monitoring of ED presentations and integration with Health Links as required.  Time is key in this program and every effort is made to ensure face-to-face contact within 48 hours of having received the referral from the Crisis Intervention Centre.

Direct involvement with clients will depend on the individual’s comfort level at having a student present.  Work-appropriate comfortable clothing and footwear is recommended.  Students should have their own cell phone but client-related calls will be made on agency cell/office phones.

Hospital Liaison

The Hospital Liaison program provides case management services both while an individual is still an in-patient and following discharge. A typical day isn’t something you’ll encounter when placed with the Hospital Liaison Case Manager.  Whether in the hospital, home, office or the community, students gain a front-line perspective on individualized assessment and discharge planning, service coordination with hospital staff, ongoing support after discharge and supportive counselling.  This program also offers linkage to other agencies, programs, and services, liaison with general practitioner and/or psychiatrist, system and personal advocacy, family support and education as well as relapse prevention and crisis planning.

Direct involvement with clients will depend on the individual’s comfort level at having a student present.  Work-appropriate comfortable clothing and footwear is recommended.  Students should have their own cell phone but client-related calls will be made on agency cell/office phones. Lunch breaks might involve eating while traveling.

Mental Health Case Management

Supporting independence, wellness, personal growth and community living as per the Recovery Model, the Mental Health Case Management program offers students extensive and varied learning prospects that translate into practical applications and valuable skills for working with adult individuals of all ages and abilities.  When completing placement alongside a Mental Health Case Manager in the client’s environment of choice, students will gain knowledge of assessment and treatment planning, supportive counselling, service navigation and coordination, as well as system and personal advocacy.  The importance of family support and education, skills groups and public education and consultation will also be taught. Documentation is a key component of this program and will be incorporated so that students develop first-hand skills relevant to writing client notes and logging contacts.

Direct involvement with clients will depend on the individual’s comfort level at having a student present.  Work-appropriate comfortable clothing and footwear is recommended.  Students should have their own cell phone but client-related calls will be made on agency cell/office phones.

Men’s Residential Treatment Centre

If you’re interested in working in a treatment setting, this program is beyond compare.  Students completing placement at the Men’s Residential Treatment Centre will work both day and evening shifts in order to experience a range of interaction with clients in both clinical and non-clinical activities. While working alongside a number of staff, students will benefit from observing various styles of facilitation, behavioural intervention, and group work skills.  Since intakes and discharges are completed on a weekly basis, there is ample opportunity to learn about these well-oiled processes as well as the less predictable ins and outs associated with successfully operating a treatment centre.

Direct involvement with clients will depend on the individual’s comfort level at having a student present but students are always permitted to attend all client group sessions.  Placement will be dedicated to this program entirely and students are expected to stay on site to complete 8-hour shifts the same way staff do.  Lunch or dinner will be provided and students are strongly encouraged to join clients for these meals.  There is no requirement to possess or use a personal cell phone or vehicle.  Work-appropriate comfortable clothing and footwear is recommended.  Attire should also be weather-appropriate as students will accompany staff and clients on daily morning walks no matter the season.