Addiction Counsellor

House of Friendship•Kitchener, ON

1d•CA$28 - CA$36•Hybrid

About The Position

At House of Friendship, we are driven by a mission to make a difference in our community, serving and walking alongside individuals with compassion, inclusion, justice, dignity, and hope. We are seeking a committed individual for the role of Addiction Counsellor within our HART (Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment) Hub Outreach team. This role focuses on strength-based, trauma-informed, and person-focused care, providing group and individual counselling, as well as case management to program participants. The HART Hub is a new program offering comprehensive services for individuals facing homelessness, mental health, and addiction concerns, including treatment, housing support, and collaborative care. The Addiction Counsellor will engage with participants in the community and at various HART Hub locations, collaborating with the Langs HART Hub and the Interprofessional Primary Care Team (IPC). Therapeutic approaches may include psychotherapeutic, supportive, and skill-based counselling, utilizing methods such as motivational interviewing, solution-focused therapy, and harm reduction.

Requirements

Professional registration, in good standing, as either a Social Worker or Social Services Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) or a Psychotherapist (including qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)
Minimum 1 year experience in an addiction and/or counselling setting
Demonstrated understanding of working with individuals experiencing concurrent disorders
Knowledge and understanding of the complexities of substances, problematic substance use and recovery oriented interventions, evidence informed practices and clinical treatment modalities required
Commitment to understand and uphold the mission and values of House of Friendship is expected
Exemplary emotional intelligence, resilience, communication, conflict management and problem solving skills required
Ability to work professionally as a team member with staff, participants and community members
Experience or strong interest in working with diverse populations including people from various cultural backgrounds, income levels, and sensitivity to their needs
Experience with and commitment to using an anti-racism, anti-oppressive and trauma informed approach to consultation, program design, evaluations of processes and service delivery
Demonstrated ability to create and maintain a positive work environment including the ability to navigate change in a positive and productive manner
Must be dependable, professional, flexible, a team player, and have a positive attitude
Respectful, supportive and engaging approach to persons with physical and/or cognitive disabilities, addictions, mental illness and other life challenges
Excellent project, timeline and deadline management skills including skills in logistics, planning and detailed record keeping
Valid G class driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle required
Successful completion of a Police Records Check (Vulnerable Sector) required pre-employment

Nice To Haves

Sensitivity to and knowledge of issues relating to and impacting on all genders and all marginalized populations
Commitment to stage matched, strengths based, person-centred quality psychotherapy services
Knowledge of community resources and provincial addiction treatment services
Demonstrated capacity for accurate and efficient documentation and computer data entry
Demonstrated ability to calmly problem-solve in a fast-paced, sometimes stressful environment
Strong communication and listening skills
Ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team
Ability to accept and apply feedback and take initiative
Experience working within a non-profit and/or social services environment
Commitment to work with and support training of students, volunteers and new employees as required
Commitment to ongoing professional development and training
Ability to accept and apply feedback and take initiative
Group facilitation and management skills
University Degree in Counselling, Social Work or a Related Field of Study
Knowledge of and training in substance use including associated health risks

Responsibilities

Substance use assessments and program screening, intake, completion, discharge and referral
Develop treatment plan collaboratively with participant, monitor and evaluate participant progress
Develop accommodation plans for participants as needed
Develop and implement evidence-based programming including creating and promoting specialized workshops that address the needs of the community
Individual and group counselling delivered both in person and virtually using an eclectic therapeutic approach
Case management including case consultation, treatment planning and working collaboratively with external and internal partners
Assess complex situations and make appropriate decisions independently and as part of a team including crisis intervention, risk assessment and safety planning
Establish strong, therapeutic rapport and maintain appropriate professional relationships
Complete documentation and data entry in accordance with agency and legislative requirements
Maintain confidentiality in compliance with Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA)
Participation and involvement in other programs, Addiction Services and broader agency activities
Work as part of a team including attending the team meetings, trainings and regular supervision meetings
Support onboarding and training of new team members
Commitment to ongoing professional development and training