Counsellor, Substance Use

CMHA Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services • London, ON

9d • CA$27 - CA$37 • Onsite

About The Position

As a Counsellor in the Substance Use program, you’ll met clients with empathy, and use a strengths-based, harm reduction approach to work alongside them on their recovery journey. Through one to one and group sessions you’ll help clients improve their health, social outcomes and overall quality of life; while also providing referrals and connections to other supports and resources to ensure a comprehensive approach to improving their wellness.

Requirements

• Post-secondary education in a related field, e.g. BSW, post-graduate diploma in addictions or equivalent required (primary proof of credentials will be required during the hiring process i.e. original degree/diploma or official transcript)
• Valid Driver's Licence and access to a vehicle with adequate insurance to transport clients
• Current, clear Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC)
• Demonstrated ability to attend work regularly

Nice To Haves

• Current registration with professional college
• 3 years’ experience working in addictions or mental health
• Clinical work experience ideally in substance use treatment including intake services
• Demonstrated ability to work with clients who live with multiple challenges related to marginalization, mental illness, substance use, complex health challenges, street level sex work, poverty, homelessness, and trauma
• Extensive knowledge of community resources, service & support programs, and barriers clients face in accessing same
• Working knowledge of a variety of treatment, intervention, and support strategies
• Computer literacy
• Ability to assess level of risk in regards to clients
• ASIST and Nonviolent Crisis Intervention training
• First Aid & CPR
• Bilingual both official languages, preferred; préférence sera accordée aux candidats qui sont compétents dans les deux langues officielles du Canada

Responsibilities

• Scheduled participation in the provision of Intake Services
• Select, administer and interpret evidence-informed screening tools as a part of a standardized screening process to determine program eligibility and level of care required.
• Recognize and respond effectively to an individual/group/community in crisis
• Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation
• Utilize standardized provincial assessment tools to determine a client’s suitability for services and level of care.
• Adhere to the quality assurance measures for the provincial standardized assessment tools
• Provide clinical interpretation of assessment tools and utilize skillful motivational interviewing techniques for the purpose of informing the development of a client-centred treatment plan.
• Provide re-assessment on an on-going basis for individuals to assess treatment progression and adjust treatment plan as appropriate
• Develop and maintain therapeutic relationships with clients to maximize the benefits of engagement through high ethical standards
• Actively increase client motivation by utilizing a Stages of Change paradigm and motivational interviewing
• Apply a comprehensive range of evidence-informed counselling styles and techniques aimed at improving the client’s overall bio-psycho-social-spiritual health
• Use best practice, promising practices and evidence-informed models and treatment modalities when working with clients in individual or group settings
• Develop a formalized treatment plan including preliminary case management, goal setting, individual and/or group counselling, referrals, advocacy and education as appropriate in collaboration with the client to improve their social determinants of health
• Evaluate and update the treatment plan as appropriate.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skill required to match clients with the most appropriate available services as determined through the screening, assessment, referral and treatment planning process.
• Manage and meet targets for a clinical caseload and maintain direct service requirements.
• Participate in the facilitation of community treatment groups as needed and appropriate.
• Facilitate successful service navigation for clients through empowerment and/or advocacy
• Participate and lead client centred case conferences i.e. Coordinated Care Plans (CCP’s), Community Plans etc. to assist in provision of care.
• Advocate
• Demonstrate a knowledge of best practices and provide support in regards to addiction treatment, including a basic understanding of all types of addiction, the treatment continuum and the continuum of use.
• Provide services in person, on the phone or another means of communication about addiction and mental health services and supports.
• Provide education to clients and concerned others regarding a variety of coping techniques and strategies.
• As requested, deliver effective outreach services targeting prevention and health promotion, early intervention, treatment and/or after care service to a broad range of client populations.
• Engage in community development, community awareness, education and outreach as designated and appropriate, representing the agency in a professional manner.
• Actively participate in the clinical supervision matrix, i.e. engage in both individual and group clinical supervision to improve client care and increase staff confidence and clinical competence
• Actively participate in administrative supervision to ensure compliance with agency and regulatory bodies, policies, procedures, and ethical guidelines
• Provide peer support
• Provide coverage for other team members as volunteered/directed.
• Be available for evening clinical work during regular office hours and on occasion outside of regular hours as needed and when appropriate.
• Provide clinical services in satellite offices and other locations as required

Benefits

• Starting rate for this role is $27.14 per hour (Level 1 – Direct Service), with a wage differential, based on regulation ($30.01 per hour for Level 1 – Direct Service, Regulated)
• Successful candidates who are registered with one of the designated professional colleges (e.g. OCSWSSW, CNO, COTO, CRPO, CPSO, or CPO) will receive the wage differential for regulation
• Successful external applicants will start at Level 1, with grid progression based on seniority up to Level 8 ($34.41 per hour for non-regulated, and $37.26 per hour for regulated)
• For internal applicants, grid level placement will occur as per the Collective Agreement
• Immediately eligible for optional enrollment in the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)

What This Job Offers

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