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Mental Health and Addictions Lead, - OH North West


Company: Ontario Health
Job Type: Permanent Full Time
Related Link: Visit website

At Ontario Health, we are committed to developing a strong organizational culture that connects and inspires all team members across the province. Our vision is that together, we will be a leader in health and wellness for all. Our mission is to connect the health system to drive improved and equitable health outcomes, experiences and value. How we work together is reflected through our five values: integrity, inspiration, tenacity, humility and care.

What Ontario Health offers:

Achieving your career goals is a priority to us. Benefits of working at Ontario Health may include the following based on employment type:


Fully paid medical, dental and vision coverage from your first day

Health care spending account

Premium defined benefit pension plan

3 personal days and 2 float days annually

Individual contributors start at 3 weeks’ vacation with 4 weeks at 2 yrs.

Career development opportunities

A collaborative values-based team culture

Wellness programs

A hybrid working model

Participation in Communities of Inclusion


Want to make a difference in your career?  Consider this opportunity.

Reporting to Director, System Strategy, Planning, Design and Implementation, the Lead, System Strategy, Planning, Design and Implementation serves as a mental health and substance use health resource to the Ontario Health North West program areas and assists in the identification and implementation of appropriate planning and development methodologies. Responsible for assisting with the management of complex planning projects and initiatives to support members on the health system planning and integration team regarding planning, project management, research, engagement activities and evaluation of mental health and substance use health programs and services.

In addition, the Planning and Integration Lead is responsible for ensuring implementation of the Ontario Health North West priorities and initiatives and helps stakeholders successfully plan, execute and manage project and program management responsibilities.

This position will be regional in nature, focusing on pertinent North West Region needs.

Here is what you will be doing:

Provides advice and input from the planning perspective to the development of health-care system funding plans and manage project plans and budget allocation for planning and integration activities, as they relate to mental health and substance use health.

Identifies emerging issues in the community that require a planning/development response and uses appropriate planning approaches, such as: needs-based predictive models and community input.

Working with members in the System Strategy, Planning, Design and Implementation Teams as well as the Capacity, Access and Flow team, this position will act as Ontario Health North West lead on monitoring implementation and ongoing quality improvement activities related to health-care planning.

Coordinates and conducts analysis of local health-care system based on provincial data, community input and other sources for purpose of identifying gaps and establishing planning priorities.

Promotes high-quality research and planning and provides leadership to the development of methodologies in the profession of health planning.

Conducts effective stakeholder consultation related to planning, assesses impact of planning recommendations and decisions, and promotes consensus among stakeholders for action required.

Participates in and contributes to provincial planning activities as well as conduct effective stakeholder consultation related to planning, assessing impact of planning recommendations and decisions, and promoting consensus among stakeholders for action required.

Provides leadership for the development of a culture within Ontario Health North West that reflects the role to drive integration and coordination locally.

Provides advice and input from the planning perspective to the development of health-care system funding plans.

Manages project plans and budget allocation for planning & integration initiatives.

Understands and complies with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulations, and the organization’s health and safety practices, policies, and procedures.

Contributes to a culture of patient safety, which includes respect, accountability, and open communication in a psychologically safe environment.

Supports teams to ensure health service provider and service provider organization adherence to health service accountability agreements.

Coordinates and fosters regional initiatives which improve quality and patient safety.

Other duties as assigned.

Here is what you will need to be successful:

Education and Experience

Post-secondary education in health administration, health planning, business administration or a related field with Master’s level degree preferred; or an equivalent combination of education and experience in a health care environment.

Bilingualism (French and English) preferred.

6-8 years of related work experience in mental health and substance use health services.

Knowledge and Skills

Good knowledge of and proven ability to apply multiple planning and analysis methodologies and make effective recommendations.

Understanding of the current and changing dynamics of the Ontario health-care system and issues.

Experience with mental health and substance use health services and policies.

Understanding and experience with embedding quality improvement initiatives.

Demonstrated financial competence.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with other staff and to liaise with colleagues across Ontario Health and with contacts in the Ministry

Must be highly organized and able to thrive in a face paced environment with multiple priorities

Uses information to make informed decisions and provides advice; exercises high degree of independence and professional judgment in problem solving

Solid written and verbal communication skills. Internally, communicates with colleagues throughout the organization to present, discuss information and problems related to financial management and funding. Externally, communicates directly with various stakeholders to monitor funding allocations and performance.

Strong attention to detail, demonstrated integrity and professionalism with a solid understanding of financial controls.

Excellent analytical and problem solving skills required.

Must be highly organized and able to thrive in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities.

Proficiency in French is an asset.

Employment Type: Full Time Permanent

Salary Band: 6

Location: North West Region, Ontario (currently hybrid; subject to change). All applicants must be a resident of Ontario to be considered for roles at Ontario Health.

Ontario Health encourages applications from candidates who are First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and urban Indigenous; Francophone; Black and racialized; members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities; trans and nonbinary; and disabled. We encourage applicants with accessibility needs to notify us if they have any accommodation needs in the application and/or interview process.

Note: As part of the initial recruitment screening process, applicants must confirm that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If applicants are not fully vaccinated, they will be required to identify any accommodation needs pursuant to a protected ground under the Code. Applicants who identify an accommodation need will be required to provide supporting documentation with respect to their need for accommodation when requested by Ontario Health. If no such accommodation is identified, the applicant will not be eligible to proceed through the recruitment process.