licensed practical nurse

mental health technician

cleaner

recovery coach

cook

Island Community Mental Health

I was excited to start working here as they seemed more put-together than other mental health residences that I have worked for, and the programming described during my interview seemed incredible. However, within my first week I could pick up on the tension between staff and management, and I soon found out why. 

The site I was in had gone through multiple managers who had all been burnt out due to the poor design of their job. Support workers were also burnt out from working overtime, micromanaging,  bad relationships with management / coworkers and not having their skills being well-utilized or recognized. It was impossible to get a day off - even stats, and I would often be called by the scheduler near the end of my shift telling me that I had to stay late (at one point this was happening almost daily).

The programming in residence left much to be desired, and it seemed as though clients were simply being fed meals, given meds, told to shower and go to bed. There seemed to be very little focus on proactive transition or even stabilization. My role there felt basically like being an over-qualified nanny. Of course, the burnout from staff at all tiers did not help to produce a therapeutic or dynamic environment. There was also continuous inconsistency with management's expectations for documentation and housekeeping, which was a growing frustration.

In short, while I'm hoping things have changed since I left, this organization was a misery to work for. If you just need a once-in-a-while casual or temp gig, perhaps it wouldn't be the worst thing. But if you're passionate about what you do and are looking for an environment that reflects and builds on that passion, I would think twice before committing to ICMH.

This company sells you a big pitch when hiring however they don’t walk the walk , very secretive, completely restructured over the past 3 months absolutely disorganization to the max
Every where in there systems is disorganized and they have had multiple managers quit or get let go because they ask to many questions and if you don’t comply then your gone 
New CEO this company plays on intimidation a fear to get things done to much micro manging to many hands in the cookie jar. Absolutely no job security here folks 
Maintenance staff are the lowest payed maintenance staff in the business lack of funds to repair properties.
No insight at all to what’s required to maintain properties at all just a bunch of pencil pushers making dumb decisions everyday 
Maintenance staff are supposed to be unionized HEU might as well be none union they do not follow union rules.
If you decide to take a job here you better have a plan B

What is the best part of working at the company?
The people who live in the homes are the reason you go to work every day. While there are challenges, there is a lot of appreciation and community to be found in each home. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The lack of understanding of how each employee contributes to an organization's culture. There is a lot of blame being placed on various levels within the structure or on other departments for the problem. The history and patterns speak for themselves, and true wisdom may be found in the repeated stories about both real and imagined issues. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The culture is cause to think twice about working here. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
You don't know what each day will bring, and that is the part that makes the job itself interesting.

I have been working as a housing coach for 7 years after having spent 2 years in the group homes.
The housing team has exceptionally strong morale and all team members are hugely supportive of one another.  There is a wide range of variety which keeps the job exciting. The clients are diverse and fascinating. The balance between work and home life is perfect. Management is very appreciative and grants the coaches an enormous amount of autonomy through a laissez-faire approach. The coaches continually deliver excellent results, and serve as long-term highly motivated and compassionate helpers.

I wouldn't work here unless you're into working in a hierarchical environment. Front line workers' knowledge and skills are not well respected and often dismissed, unless you carry a degree, have nursing experience, or are a part of the upper management clique. ICMHA is not a collaborative or inclusive work environment. I watched a great number of good front line staff leave because of the behaviour or communication style of the upper management. Do YOU want mental health challenges and feel unheard? Work here for a while!

Treated horribly, no consent for working overtime, just expected to work the extra hours without asking nicely, horrible scheduling policies clearly are in place. The HR manager was rude to me and I only just started working my full time line, two weeks in, I quit my job and looked elsewhere, just don't apply to this organization, several long term employees left, managers are always changing, staff and clients are treated poorly, clients are shamed constantly, just don't apply to this horrible non profit. I was bullied, harassed into quitting.

What is the best part of working at the company?
This organization has such heart for the work they do. Great staff and the residents and clients are fantastic

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
There has been a lot of turnover but this has settled down and we have a good leadership team.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
It's busy but satisfying to work here.

They are so busy hiring and losing managers it’s absurd. The clients are the best and staff tend to be excellent. They have hired some very unsuitable managers who rule by fear. Management have taken all the autonomy away from the staff and permission must be asked for everything. I worked here for 5 years and experienced a lot of sleepless nights near the end.  A great job ruined by micromanaging and incompetence. Don’t work here it sucks. 

Please do not work here!! I cant stress this enough. I have not seen so many unhappy employees as I have in this organization. 
I am still recovering from the damage they've  done and I only worked there for a month. Completely screwed me over! They don't care about their employees, not understanding that this reflects the care to individuals served. 
I wish someone would've told me not to work here in the beginning!

A company dedicated to bettering the lives of people with various disabilities, with an emphasis on honing related skills and offering further education in the form of workshops and retraining.

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Licensed practical nurse 11 salaries reported	$37.10 per hour
Mental health technician 6 salaries reported	$32.42 per hour
Cleaner 12 salaries reported	$23.03 per hour
Recovery coach 1 salary reported	$32.42 per hour
Cook 3 salaries reported	$26.46 per hour

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