Full-Time Crisis Line Responder

A training session began on October 15, 2024.
Future training sessions to be announced.

We are currently seeking only interested applicants
who can support callers at our Crisis Line Centre in Nanaimo.

Trainees are required to attend a pre-assessment
evaluation in person at our Training Centre.
Lunch is provided.

Where: Vancouver Island Crisis Society Training Centre, Nanaimo

 

Who We Are

The Vancouver Island Crisis Society (VICS) has been a supporter for communities across Vancouver Island for many years. Contracted by Provincial Health Services Authority, Vancouver Island Crisis Line provides service to the entire island, including the islands of the Georgia Strait, and the mainland communities between Powell River and Rivers Inlet. As a respected non-profit, charitable organization, we are committed to providing comprehensive crisis intervention and support services to those in need. Our dedication extends to individuals of all ages and backgrounds, ensuring that everyone has access to the help they need during times of crisis.

At VICS, we operate under a Philosophy of Care that is built on best practices and a deep understanding of the diverse needs of the communities we serve. This philosophy guides all our decisions and interactions, allowing us to provide consistent, high-quality care across all our services.

Some of our philosophies are:

• Trauma-Informed Practice – Recognizing and responding to the impact of trauma in all aspects of our services.
• Inclusivity and Accessibility – Ensuring that our services are accessible to all, regardless of background or identity.
• Harm Reduction –- Providing support that reduces the negative consequences associated with crisis situations.
• Person-Centered Approach – Focusing on the unique needs and strengths of each individual we support.
• Community Integration – Working closely with community resources and partners to provide comprehensive support.

Highlights of this Opportunity

Are you passionate about supporting individuals in crisis? Do you have a skill for providing empathetic, nonjudgmental support? Does working within a supportive, fast-paced environment where you can make a real difference energize you? The Vancouver Island Crisis Society has available positions for Full-Time Crisis Line Responders for the Vancouver Island Crisis Line on site in Nanaimo or remotely.

• Remote Crisis Line Responders must be situated on Vancouver Island. They will need to have their own desktop or laptop computer, which meet VICS technology requirements, as shown below.
• On-Site Crisis Line Responders must work in Nanaimo at the Vancouver Island Crisis Society's Crisis Line Centre.

***Successful candidates will be provided with interactive Crisis Line Responder Training***

Primary Responsibilities:

• Answering Calls: Be the first point of contact for individuals seeking help, providing immediate support through voice, chat and text communication channels
• Non-Judgmental Emotional Support and Crisis Intervention: Offer compassionate assistance, helping service users through assessment, problem-solving, and resource exploration working within defined Crisis Intervention Models
• Thorough Assessment of Suicide Ideation: Conduct careful evaluations to identify and address any indications of suicide ideation, planning, or attempts in progress.
• Implementing Active Rescues: Take decisive action to initiate interventions when necessary to ensure the safety of individuals in crisis.
• Support via Crisis Chat and Crisis Text: Extend your support through digital platforms, offering the same high-quality services as provided on the Crisis Line.
• Maintaining Familiarity with Vancouver Island Communities and Resources: Stay informed about local resources, particularly Mental Health and Substance Use Crisis Response Services, to provide accurate and relevant information to those in need.

Required Skills, Knowledge, and Characteristics:

• Flexibility: Ability to work flexible hours on a monthly rotational schedule, including weekends and overnights.
• Team Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team setting, valuing diverse perspectives and experiences.
• Communication Skills: Excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken. Proficiency in additional languages are an asset and highly encouraged.
• Empathy and Non-Judgment: Reliable, non-judgmental, and empathetic approach to work, with a commitment to respecting and valuing individuals from all backgrounds.
• Technical Proficiency: Basic computer literacy, with support provided for learning and adapting to new technologies and platforms.
• Crisis Management: Ability to handle stressful situations and make decisions promptly, maintaining calm and composure under pressure.
• Background Check: Passes a police record check that includes vulnerable sector screening, ensuring the safety and security of our service users.
• Educational Requirement: High school diploma or equivalent, and a minimum age of 19 years. Relevant experience or additional education in social services, mental health, or a related field is a plus.

Standard Technology Requirements for Working Remotely:

• Private space to take interactions while ensuring confidentiality, where only the Crisis Line Responder's device should be connected to the Internet during a shift
• PC Desktop or Laptop (Windows 10 or 11)
  MAC Desktop or Laptop (macOS 11 Big Sur or greater)
  Chromebook (tablets and smart phones do not meet criteria)
• Browser recommendations: Apple Safari (version 7+), Google Chrome (version 30+), Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox (version 27+), all of which support TLS 1.2
• Test your Internet connectivity to determine if your setup meets the minimum speed requirement of 50Mbps for downloads and 10Mbps for uploads.
  

Assets:

• A post-secondary education
• Completion of a crisis intervention course that includes suicide risk assessment
• Prior completion of Crisis Line, Crisis Chat and Crisis Text training
• Completion of the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) workshop
• Previous Crisis Line Worker experience

Hours of Work:

• Full-Time Crisis Line Responders shift 32-40 hours per week with an average 35-hour week.
• Typical shifts include (though not all-inclusive):
  • 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
  • 4:00 pm to 12:00 am
  • 12:00 midnight to 8:00 am
• Depending on the monthly schedule, overnight shifts average one every six days.

Hourly Wages and Benefits:

• Training wage of $23 per hour; probationary wage of $24.
• Once probation is completed, the hourly wage begins at $25 per hour (wage range is $25 to $28).
• Extended health benefits after six months’ employment are 100% paid by the employer for the full-time position.
• Sick leave and vacation entitlement
• A monthly contribution to a Group Retirement Savings Plan by the employer, consisting of 3 percent of gross payroll earnings per month for each full-time employee, after a year's employment.

We value and invite feedback from all applicants who engage with our Agency. If you require a disability-related accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please let us know. You can do so by emailing us with your resume and cover letter to elizabeth@vicrisis.ca. Your input is welcomed in helping us improve our practices and ensure a fair and inclusive hiring process.

In our words and actions, we are committed to recognizing and addressing the challenges faced by those experiencing inequalities, while acknowledging our own privileges. We continuously work to identify and eliminate biases and barriers within our hiring and job-seeking processes to create an equitable environment for all candidates.

 

Please email resume and cover letter to:
Elizabeth Newcombe, Executive Director, at elizabeth@vicrisis.ca

Our services are located on the traditional, ancestral, and unseeded territory
of the Coast Salish, Nuu-chah-nulth, and Kwakiutl Peoples.

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