#798 Clinical Mental Health Counsellor

Canadian Mental Health Association, Niagara Branch • St. Catharines, ON

4d • CA$29 - CA$37 • Hybrid

About The Position

CMHA, Niagara is a non-profit, charitable organization committed to promoting mental wellness and to improving the lives of people in its service area who have mental illness as well as their families. CMHA Niagara achieves its mission through a number of programs and services. CMHA, Niagara is committed to a recovery philosophy which focuses on the potential for people with mental illness to lead full, productive and engaged lives in their communities. The Branch works in partnership with many others who share in the commitment to supporting the broad determinants of health.

The Clinical Mental Health Counsellor will support same-day counselling by offering psycho-social assessments, brief crisis counselling and treatment, and community connections to services for individuals presenting with mental health and addiction concerns. The intent is to ensure client safety, to encourage empowerment, and provide crisis resolution and prevention, within a recovery framework which integrates the client into their community with supports.

Requirements

• Successful completion of a graduate university and or undergraduate degree program in the human service field or accredited community college diploma in the human service field
• 3-5 years of employment experience in the mental health field
• Certification or registration in a regulatory body in good standing and adheres to all standards of practice as per the College is preferred (or the ability to obtain this within 6 months of hire)
• Certified in the following safety courses: Crisis Intervention (i.e. NVCI, Safety Care, CPI or Safe Management), Standard First Aid - CPR C – AED, Suicide Prevention (ASIST)
• Sound Clinical skills in Counseling Therapeutic Technique, including brief solution, cognitive behavior therapy, Dialectic Behaviour Therapy, Trauma Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, Mental Status Exam, Safety Risk assessments
• Demonstrated knowledge of relevant legislation (e.g. the Mental Health Act)
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving solving and teaching skills
• Strong interpersonal and oral/written communication skills
• Sound judgment, good observation and client assessment skills, tact and empathy
• Maintain a commitment to continued professional development as required by the employer
• Demonstrated knowledge of computer applications required for electronic documentation
• Must have access to a reliable personal vehicle
• Current valid class ‘G’ driver’s license
• A satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Screening (Police Check)

Nice To Haves

• Actual life experience and/or lived experience with mental illness or addictions an asset
• Bilingualism, particularly proficiency in French, would be considered a valuable asset
• Candidates with multicultural and diverse backgrounds, multilingual abilities, and experience with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community would be considered an asset.

Responsibilities

• Respond to individuals in non-medical crisis situations in person, over the phone or OTN or in the community; clients may be self-referred or referred by other community organizations (i.e. ACCESS Line, NHS Emergency Department/PERT, COAST, Urgent Care, Safe Beds, family physicians etc.);
• Complete psycho-social and safety assessments on individuals accessing program services;
• Identify areas of need and respond by developing or reviewing a care plan, which may include providing short term crisis counseling and treatment, case management, connection with appropriate community services, and follow-up;
• Provide clinical intervention with a sound knowledge of: crisis intervention, recovery-based practice, severe and persistent mental illness and substance use issues, clinical therapeutic interventions, community resources and services, and safety assessment tools;
• Conduct cross service/sector linkages and act as a liaison by consulting with family members and other professionals, in direct collaboration and with the consent of the individual being served;
• Foster and promote positive change and independence in those individuals served by the program;
• Promote good public relations and healthy community partnerships and alliances;
• Ensure accurate and timely reports, data entry and documentation in relevant systems (i.e. CRMS).

What This Job Offers

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