Addiction Counsellor

House of Friendship•Kitchener, ON

8h•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 dedicated Addiction Counsellor committed to strength-based, person-focused care to join our HART (Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment) Hub program. This innovative program provides comprehensive services including mental health and addiction treatment, housing support, and collaborative care for individuals facing homelessness, mental health, and addiction concerns. The role involves community outreach, travel to various HART Hub locations within Waterloo Region, and collaboration with the Langs HART Hub and Interprofessional Primary Care Team (IPC). Counselling may include psychotherapeutic, supportive, and skill-based approaches, frequently utilizing motivational interviewing, solution-focused therapy, and harm reduction strategies.

Requirements

Professional registration, in good standing, as either a Social Worker or Social Service 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).
University Degree in Counselling, Social Work or a Related Field of Study.
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.
Commitment to understand and uphold the mission and values of House of Friendship.
Exemplary emotional intelligence, resilience, communication, conflict management and problem solving skills.
Ability to work professionally as a team member with staff, participants and community members.
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.

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.
Group facilitation and management skills.
Experience or strong interest in working with diverse populations including people from various cultural backgrounds, income levels, and sensitivity to their needs.

Responsibilities

Develop treatment plans collaboratively with participants, monitor and evaluate participant progress.
Develop accommodation plans for participants as needed.
Develop and implement evidence-based programming, including creating and promoting specialized workshops.
Provide individual and group counselling, delivered both in person and virtually, using an eclectic therapeutic approach.
Perform case management, including case consultation, treatment planning, and collaboration 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).
Participate in other programs, Addiction Services, and broader agency activities.
Work as part of a team, including attending team meetings, trainings, and regular supervision meetings.
Support the onboarding and training of new team members.
Commit to ongoing professional development and training.