Job Posting

Job Title: Community Treatment Counsellor

Location: Niagara Region

Hours of Work: 35 hours/week, with evening work as required

Reports To: Director of Community Programs

Posting Date: December 20th, 2018

Closing Date: January 4th, 2019

Job Description Counsellor – Community Treatment Program
Position Summary Reporting to the Director of Community Programs, the Counsellor provides services to clients participating in the agency’s Community Treatment Program. The Counsellor provides services on a daily basis through a continuum of functions that can include: initial and ongoing screening and assessment, treatment planning and ongoing adjustments as required, community treatment, referral and integration of required services, ongoing data entry and clinical file recording, advocacy, potential conjoint family services, group counselling, and collaboration with other service providers.

Qualifications  A relevant undergraduate degree plus two years of addiction experience or a relevant two year Community College diploma plus five years of addiction work experience.  Registered or in the process of registering with a regulatory college ( i.e. Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers and College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario )  Current criminal record check.  Valid Driver’s license and insurance.  Experience working with clients with a broad range of issues  Core Clinical training in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), family counselling experience and GAIN Q3 MI ONT Site Interviewer certification would be an asset.

Details of Position/Hours of Work Regular work week is 35 hours/week, with evening work as required.

Duties and Responsibilities
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1. Entry Services Inquiry contact:  Collect information in enough detail to determine the client’s immediate needs and to provide direction for the next step.  Intake: contact with a person to determine if eligible for agency services, to complete the intake form and orient the client to services available at agency and process.

2. Screening and Assessment  Conduct a standardized screening and assessment session (if required), using approved documents.  Determine the client’s specific needs, goals, characteristics, problems and stage of change through motivational interviewing, mutual investigation or exploration.  Provide clients with information about: the links between their problems and substance use /gambling, addictions treatment services and other community resources to address presenting issues and to initiate the treatment planning process by providing motivational feedback.

3. Initial Treatment Planning  Negotiate individualized treatment plans, based on feedback from the screening and/or assessment results, the client’s strengths, prioritized problem areas, clinical judgement, client’s preference and readiness to change, and identification of potential barriers to treatment entry.  Develop a clear plan of action; including client’s identified goals, treatment interventions, specific referral as appropriate, duration and frequency of on-going services.

4. Community Treatment  Conduct individual or group counselling sessions, the frequency and length of sessions may vary depending on the client’s needs and program format.  Maximize clients’ participation in treatment, community services and events and actively promote self-efficacy,  Counselling includes brief intervention, lifestyle and personal counselling to assist individuals to develop skills to manage substance abuse and/or gambling and related problems, and/or maintain and enhance treatment goals.  Community treatment services also include activities such as early intervention, relapse prevention, crisis intervention, family counselling, follow-up and aftercare.

5. Client Liaison/Advocacy  Intervene on client’s behalf, as requested or indicated, with other agency staff or other community services.  Inform clients of office policies and grievance procedures when applicable.  Maintain a professional counselling relationship between the client and counsellor.

6. Administrative  Maintain a complete, accurate and comprehensive clinical record of each client contact.  Report statistics about clinical activities using designated agency format.  Complete monthly, annual and other reported documentation as required in a punctual and comprehensive manner.  Maintain client files according to agency policy and procedures.

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7. Team and Organizational Responsibilities  Liaises with community partners and other agencies in a manner that promotes the agency’s reputation and facilitates quality care for shared clients  Participates in agency work delegated to committees related to staff development, program planning, social activities, community information, etc.,  Shares information and constructive observations with colleagues that promote clinical and administrative activities of the agency, including peer review and consultation,  Commitment to research investigations, pilot projects, etc. that may be undertaken by the agency.  Helps ensures the organization and program objectives are met.  Participates in public education, placement student mentoring, professional development activities, program development, planning groups, etc., as appropriate or assigned.  Demonstrates interest in the broad field of health care and the specific fields of substance abuse, problem gambling, concurrent disorders, and supportive housing.  Works harmoniously with colleagues, including not behaving in ways that are likely to be offensive in any manner to others and confronting such behaviours by others.  Conducts self in a responsible, professional manner.  Perform other duties that may be assigned from time to time.

Interested applicants should apply on-line on Charity Village https://charityvillage.com/app/job-listings/e6900144-9704-e911-80d7-14187768272a