Concurrent Disorders Specialist
About The Position
Joining the Canadian Mental Health Association – Peel Dufferin Branch means you’ll be part of something meaningful. For starters, we’re honored to have received the Canadian Non-Profit Employer of Choice Award for our efforts to help people live better. Providing support and services to those who live with mental illness and addictions, we’re committed to increasing awareness and addressing the stigma surrounding mental health. That’s why we’ve made it a priority to create a diverse organization that represents the communities we serve – and the people we help. As a community-based agency, we’re dedicated to the mental, physical, and social health of everyone – including our team members. That’s why we’re proud to offer a total rewards package that helps our team members balance their professional and home life. You’ll also be empowered to keep learning new skills and reaching your goals – from developing a career growth plan to participating in training sessions. The Concurrent Disorders Specialist provides addiction services to clients at the Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) Clinics including initial screening and assessment, treatment planning, brief intervention, lifestyle and personal counselling to assist clients to develop skills to manage substance misuse and/or mental health issues.
Requirements
- Master’s Degree in Social Work or other related/relevant educational qualification
- Registration with affiliated College or Association is required
- Minimum of five (5) years addiction and/or concurrent counselling experience
- Demonstrated skill in addiction assessment and treatment including working knowledge of relevant screening and assessment tools
- Demonstrated experience in developing and facilitating groups
- Knowledge of a “Stages of Treatment” approach in the treatment of substance use disorder
- Strong interpersonal skills with proven ability to approach, listen, build trust, and communicate across diverse cultures and intersectionality. Willingness to continually improve understanding around cultural competence
- Openness to operate from an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, 2SLGBTQ+ affirming and intersectional framework
- Willingness to learn and apply practical understanding of different elements of diversity, such as gender identity/expression, race/cultural background, religion, sexual orientation, disability, immigration and precarious status, family status, etc.
- Valid Canadian driver’s license and access to an insured automobile in good repair
- A satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Screening (Police Check) report
Nice To Haves
- Additional Certification or Diploma in Addictions is an asset
- Fluency in a second language, including ASL (American Sign Language) is considered an asset
Responsibilities
- Work with community providers to do outreach and ensure pathways are available to clients who use substances; recognizing that at least 50% will have significant co-occurring mental health and physical health issues.
- Support assessment of clients and provide case management and support transitions to primary care and other community-based providers.
- Identify clients who require coordinated care plans and provide the care coordination in collaboration with the client, primary health care, their families, and community partners
- Create a plan for addiction treatment, considering the social determinants of health and the complex needs of clients.
- Provide brief substance use interventions for clients including motivational counseling, harm reduction, and abstinence using the stages of change model.
- Establish a supportive, therapeutic relationship with clients and their support systems.
- Develop a Crisis Plan with each client and their supports to support and maintain client wellness and impact of social determinants of health.
- Establish and monitor a recovery plan based on clients’ goals.
- Support completion of appropriate referrals to enable clients to achieve their goals
- Monitor clients’ mental health and initiate intervention to promote wellness and recovery
- Develop a trusting relationship with clients so that they may more freely discuss substance use and its effect on mental and physical health and daily functioning.
- Participate in setting treatment goals and plans with clients to reduce or abstain from substance use and to learn replacement behaviors.
Benefits
- Employee Family Assistance Plan
- optional extended health and dental benefits
- 4 weeks accrued vacation
- Up to 18 sick days accrued per year
- HOOPP Pension Plan enrollment
- Ongoing professional development plus $250 annual funding for continuing education and certifications
- $350 annual allowance to invest in achieving your personal wellness goals
- Mileage reimbursement for work-related travel
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
