Mental Health And Substance Use Counsellor

ROLE PURPOSE

This position will provide education, assessment, referral, counselling, and facilitation of follow-up services to residents of Connective’s therapeutic community programs that are healing from substance use and/or mental health disorders.

REPORTING AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Liaises with staff and volunteers of community and government agencies as required.
• Facilitates in the construction of community cooperative agreements and community led sanctions.
• Participates as a member of the Connective services team to ensure quality and continuity of services to residents.
• Accepts clinical direction from the care team.
• Liaises with Connective staff as necessary.
• Reports and is accountable to the Senior Director Northern BC & Yukon or their designate.
• Participates as a member of the therapeutic community to facilitate community goals.

HOURS

40 hours a week - Monday- Friday - 8:00-16:00

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Conducts comprehensive assessments, develops personal care plans and makes referrals to other programs or agencies as required.
• Maintains liaison with other agencies, professionals, ministries and the community.
• Group facilitation (process, psychoeducational, skills-based and CBT orientated).
• Provides guidance and support to volunteers, students, and orientation to new community members.
• Engages in the development of inter-personal, therapeutic relationships that promote dignity and respect.
• Facilitates healing activities and initiatives upholding the adaptative therapeutic community model while exposing multiple models of recovery-orientated practise.
• Presents case reports and progress of residents at regularly scheduled clinical team meetings; has input to case management of total resident load through clinical meetings.
• Develops and provides prevention and education activities in the community such as workshops, as required.
• Maintains resident records and provides statistics and reports as required.
• Performs other related duties as required.
• Counsels residents individually and in a group setting; develops and implements case management of assigned residents (for example, counsels in establishing goals, monitors, and records progress)
• Maintains and updates all appropriate documentation related to residents and initiates any new documentation; completes all reports required by the ministry, organization and various stakeholders.
• Develops and facilitates support groups for residents and/or their families as required.
• Reviews and evaluates resident’s progress and makes adjustments to treatment plans as required. Provides feedback and support to residents and/or their families.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Is available to work flexible hours as needed, which may include some evenings/weekends, as determined by program/resident needs and schedules
• Adheres to Connective’s policies and procedures
• Functions independently, while remaining a crucial member of the care team

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in a related human and/or social service field.
• Demonstrated an ability to deal with de-escalation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Two (2) years recent related experience, including training or experience in addictions work; an equivalent combination of education, training and experience might be considered.
• A demonstrated and clear ability to respond well in crisis situations.
• Universal understanding in various assessment tools.
• Professional registration with the CACCF, CCPA and BCACC an asset.
• An understanding of providing service to people with different learning abilities.

REQUIREMENTS

• Current Emergency First Aid Certificate
• Evidence of compliance with the province’s immunization and tuberculosis control programs
• Ability to successfully complete a Criminal Records Check for the vulnerable sector
• Proof of Covid-19 vaccination

WHAT WE OFFER?

• Competitive benefits package, including health, wellness, and pension plan
• Connective is part of a portability program where employees moving from a CSSEA-member employer to Connective will port their service hours for vacation and wage purposes (within last 12 months)
• Access to On-Demand Pay to withdraw earned wages before payday
• Career and personal development, with the ability to grow in a diverse range of programs and departments
• 2023 High-Performance Culture Award from SupportingLines
• Committed Living Wage Employer
• 2022 Canadian Nonprofit Employer of Choice Aware from NEOC
• Access to a range of staff mental health supports, including an in-house counsellor, Employee Family Assistance Program, and Critical Incidents Stress Management

DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION

At Connective, we value and accommodate unique differences to ensure that our staff have the opportunity and are supported to thrive. To build a strong and representative workforce, we strongly encourage applications from BIPOC, LGBTQ2S+ people, immigrants, and people with disabilities or other marginalized communities.