Addictions Counsellor

CMHA • , ON

8h • CA$56,444 - CA$68,429 • Hybrid

About The Position

We are looking for an Addictions Counsellor in our Substance Treatment, Recovery, and Empowerment for Addiction Management (STREAM) Program. The STREAM Program aims to reduce the harm associated with substance use. The program provides support to individuals using substances to make changes to their substance use, including voluntary withdrawal from alcohol and/ or other substances. The STREAM Program offers individuals an alternative to residential withdrawal management (or detox) for individuals who can safely withdraw in a supportive home environment or another supportive community environment. Care may be provided with or without drug therapy or other medical interventions. Individuals will also be supported to receive early recovery education as well as discharge and crisis support plans. The program, including a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and an Addictions Counsellor, will provide best practice assessment, treatment, navigation and support to individuals and families with concurrent disorders. The Addictions Counsellor will work in collaboration with clients and their families to provide assessment of substance use issues and appropriate client-centered intervention services.

Requirements

• Degree OR diploma plus 2 or more years of experience in a community-based organization working with adults with serious mental illness in the community, and providing addiction and withdrawal management counselling
• Registration in good standing with a regulatory College, including the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW), the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) cannot be in the qualifying stages
• Knowledge and experience with concurrent disorders and community withdrawal management (i.e. theories of addiction, treatment modalities, pharmacology knowledge, harm reduction, etc.)
• Strong reasoning and thinking skills
• Knowledge of the Ontario Mental Health Act, mental health reform principles, the Substitute Decisions Act, the Health Care Consent Act, and PHIPA requirements
• Ability to apply Recovery principles and empowerment-oriented philosophies and practices in work with clients
• Driver’s License Abstract required, and a valid Canadian driver’s license, a minimum $1,000,000 third-party liability insurance
• A satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Screening (Police Check)

Nice To Haves

• Certification in addiction counselling an asset
• Lived experience related to substance use and/or mental health an asset
• Experience working with individuals experiencing serious mental illness, concurrent disorders, and dual diagnosis (developmental disability and/or traumatic brain injury), is preferred
• Additional training in harm reduction, trauma-informed care, recovery, mental health, and various therapeutic modalities such as motivational interviewing or crisis prevention management are strong assets
• Experience in facilitation or co-facilitation of group programming

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group counselling to individuals suffering the effects of substance use and problematic behaviours
• Provide mental health and addiction counselling to individuals and families
• Perform client intakes, screenings and assessment of substance use and behavioural addiction issues.
• Assesses and track client’s stages of change readiness and stages of recovery.
• Design and implement goal-oriented care plans
• Use crisis intervention strategies, supporting and educating the client as appropriate in relapse prevention, community withdrawal management, treatment referral, self-care strategies, and family support/education.
• Educate families about addiction and recovery and provide them with resources that will help them support their loved ones in recovery.
• Provide client-centered advocacy and assist clients in identifying and advocating for their civil/legal rights.
• Facilitate connections to needed and wanted services, supports, and resources, including those in the broader community.
• Maintains a client caseload in accordance with the above standards and funding requirements, recognizing the need for extensive travel in some rural areas and intensiveness of contact with specific clients.

Benefits

• HOOPP (Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan)
• Comprehensive Health + Dental Benefits
• Learning & development opportunities
• Excellent Benefits Package: Full Extended Health & Dental, Life Insurance, EAP, STD, LTD, & Pension Plan.
• Generous paid time off including vacation, sick, personal days

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree