Company Overview:
Ontario Institute of Health and Innovation (OIHI)is dedicated to providing high-quality education that meets the country’s labour needs, ensuring our graduates are well-prepared for successful and impactful careers that help maintain Canada’s long-term status as an international leader in quality of life. The college aims to lead in care and support services by empowering students with experiential learning that aligns with industry needs and nurtures workforce development for a healthier, more supportive world.
OIHI is proud to be a part of Global University Systems (GUS) Canada, the Canadian subsidiary of Global University Systems. GUS is an international network of higher-education institutions brought together by a shared passion for accessible, industry-relevant qualifications and graduate success.
Job Overview
The Mental Health and Addiction Worker (MHAW) Instructor is responsible for delivering high-quality instruction to students enrolled in the Mental Health and Addiction Worker Diploma program. The role involves planning and delivering engaging course content, facilitating both theoretical and applied learning experiences, and preparing students for professional practice in community mental health, addictions, crisis intervention, and recovery-oriented services.
The instructor will foster an inclusive, trauma-informed, culturally safe, and student-centered learning environment that promotes critical thinking, professional competence, ethical practice, and readiness for employment in diverse mental health and addictions settings. The instructor will integrate current evidence-based practices, experiential learning, and industry standards throughout the curriculum to support student success and workforce readiness.
Key Responsibilities
1. Course Delivery
- Plan, prepare, and deliver engaging lessons aligned with the approved Mental Health and Addiction Worker curriculum and current industry best practices.
- Facilitate synchronous and asynchronous learning using a variety of instructional methods that support diverse adult learners.
- Integrate theoretical knowledge with practical application through case studies, simulations, role plays, group activities, and reflective learning.
- Deliver instruction using trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, culturally safe, anti-oppressive, and strengths-based approaches.
- Incorporate current legislation, evidence-based practices, and emerging trends in mental health and addictions into classroom instruction.
2. Student Assessment and Support
- Evaluate student learning through assignments, quizzes, presentations, simulations, practical evaluations, and examinations.
- Provide timely, constructive, and individualized feedback to support academic achievement and professional development.
- Monitor student progress and identify learners requiring additional academic or personal support.
- Encourage critical thinking, reflective practice, ethical decision-making, and professional accountability.
3. Practical Skills Development
- Facilitate skill development through applied learning activities, counselling simulations, motivational interviewing practice, case management exercises, crisis intervention scenarios, and group facilitation activities.
- Prepare students for field placement by reinforcing professional expectations, workplace ethics, documentation standards, communication skills, and client-centred practice.
- Where assigned, support students during field placement through mentoring, site visits, communication with placement supervisors, and evaluation of student performance.
- Reinforce safe, ethical, and culturally responsive practices when working with individuals, families, and communities experiencing mental health and addiction challenges.
4. Curriculum and Program Development
- Contribute to the ongoing development, review, and continuous improvement of curriculum, lesson plans, learning resources, and assessment strategies.
- Maintain current knowledge of mental health, addictions, counselling, harm reduction, trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, and community support services.
- Collaborate with the Academic Associate Dean, Program Lead, placement coordinators, and fellow faculty to ensure curriculum quality and consistency.
- Participate in program quality assurance, accreditation, and curriculum review initiatives as required.
5. Classroom Management
- Create a respectful, inclusive, psychologically safe, and engaging learning environment.
- Promote professionalism, collaboration, and respectful communication among students.
- Manage classroom dynamics effectively while encouraging participation and active learning.
- Address student concerns, conflicts, and academic integrity issues professionally and in accordance with institutional policies.
6. Professional Development and Community Engagement
- Participate in professional development activities to maintain current knowledge of best practices within the mental health and addictions sector.
- Build relationships with community agencies, healthcare organizations, Indigenous organizations, and industry partners to support student learning and field placement opportunities.
- Participate in faculty meetings, program advisory committees, recruitment events, open houses, and community outreach activities.
- Represent the Mental Health and Addiction Worker program professionally within the community and industry.
Qualifications
- Diploma, Bachelor's degree, or Master's degree in Mental Health, Addictions, Social Work, Psychology, Counselling, Community Services, Nursing, Child and Youth Care, Human Services, or a closely related discipline.
- Minimum of 3–5 years of recent professional experience in mental health, addictions, community health, counselling, crisis intervention, case management, or related human services.
- Demonstrated knowledge of:
- Mental health and addiction recovery models
- Trauma-informed and culturally safe practice
- Harm reduction principles
- Counselling and interviewing techniques
- Crisis intervention and suicide prevention
- Case management and community resource navigation
- Professional ethics, confidentiality, and privacy legislation (e.g., PHIPA)
- Experience working collaboratively within interdisciplinary healthcare or community service teams.
- Excellent communication, facilitation, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
- Strong digital literacy and proficiency using learning management systems, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Teams, and online teaching technologies.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in a related discipline.
- Postsecondary teaching experience or experience facilitating adult education.
- Experience in curriculum development, instructional design, or online teaching.
- Current certifications such as ASIST, Mental Health First Aid, Motivational Interviewing, Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NVCI), Naloxone Training, or other recognized mental health and addictions certifications.
- Experience supervising students or staff in practicum, clinical, or community settings.
- Familiarity with Ontario's mental health, addictions, and community support systems.
Working Conditions
- Part-time position with potential evening and weekend teaching based on program schedules.
- Courses are delivered primarily online through synchronous and asynchronous learning platforms.
- Ability to conduct site visits and participate in field placement supervision, where assigned.
- Participation in faculty meetings, professional development activities, and program events as required.
Please notethat successful completion of a criminal background check is required during the recruitment/hiring process.
Ontario Institute of Health and Innovation (OIHI) is an equal opportunity employer, and as such positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, colour, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, citizenship, race, ancestry, disability, national or ethnic origin, veteran status, age, religion, or belief. Ontario Institute of Health and Innovation (OIHI) is committed to providing accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act (AODA). If you require accommodations for a disability during any stage of the recruitment process, please include this information in your cover letter. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.
Pay: From $23.00 per hour
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Toronto, ON M4R 2G8
