Indigenous Mental Health Counsellor

Six Nations Polytechnic (SNP) is a unique Indigenous Institute, recognized by community, government, and institutions of higher learning, as a Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Knowledge. SNP offers postsecondary, secondary, trades education and training. SNP has formal partnerships with nine publicly funded Ontario Universities and Colleges and collaborates with six Ontario-based Indigenous owned and controlled post-secondary Institutes.

For more information, visit www.snpolytechnic.com

Function & Overview

As a member of the Student Affairs Team, the Indigenous Mental Health Counsellor will report to the Manager of Student Affairs and maintain a collaborative working relationship with multiple stakeholders at Six Nations Polytechnic. The Indigenous Mental Health Counsellor has the responsibility for supporting student development, student success, and retention by designing and providing a comprehensive range of psychological and educational services to aid students in achieving improved academic performance, enhanced personal and social effectiveness and wellbeing. This position will also work in collaboration with Student Success Officers and Accessibility Advisor in the development and implementation of diverse Mental Health strategies across the organization. The position is key to the cross-campus Student Mental Health Strategy, and is responsible for upholding, and acting in accordance with, Human Rights Legislation, AODA compliance and the National Standard of Canada for Mental Health and Well-Being for Post-Secondary Students. The Indigenous Mental Health Counsellor is required to perform all duties consistent with the governance values and operating policies of Six Nations Polytechnic (SNP) while fostering positive relations with staff, students, stakeholders, and the community; contributing to a culturally supportive teaching, learning and work environment consistent with Hodinǫshǫ:nih/Rotinonhson:ni values of Ga’nigohi:yo:/Kanikoriio (Respect and the Good Mind).

Duties

The duties of the Indigenous Mental Health Counsellor will include, without limitation:

Personal Counselling

• Developing and delivering trauma-informed approaches for the benefit of students throughout the range of services provided;
• Providing direct counselling intervention and follow-up to a broad spectrum of social issues relative to the student population (including high risk students/clients and in emergency situations) informed by Indigenous best practices and worldviews;
• Collaborating with students to identify, assess, develop, and implement effective wellness plans in consultation with the Manager as required;
• Implementing interventions based on the assessment and the plan using accepted models of clinical practice (including the use of group counselling methods);
• Developing and maintaining appropriate therapeutic relationships with students;
• Aiding students/clients in identifying and solving emotional and interpersonal problems that may be affecting their academic success, well-being and wholistic development;
• Providing counselling through prescheduled in-person/virtual appointments and, being open to crisis situations as they arise with the ability to work flexible hours;
• Consulting, liaising, referring (where appropriate) and advocating with appropriate institute and community resources, e.g. Mental health, medical, social services to facilitate service delivery;
• Advocating on behalf of students for special academic consideration;

Program Development and Implementation

• Collaborating with the Student Affairs team and developing and planning mental health activities based on student input, feedback and participation when available;
• Utilizing Hodinǫshǫ:ni knowledge and practices in the development, planning and implementation of mental health and wellbeing activities;
• Responding to the need and demand for culturally specific student wellness programs and activities, working in collaboration with the Cultural Support Workers;
• Developing, implementing, and reviewing the SNP Student Mental Health Strategic Plan;
• Participating in the evaluation of the effectiveness of the counselling services program, including being responsible for collecting key service assessment metrics;
• Assisting in the development of student surveys;

Learning and Development

• Informed by quantitative and qualitative metrics, responsible for reviewing, assessing and recommending changes to enhance the effectiveness of service delivery models;
• Participating in professional development activities and remain current with frequent developments in their specialized scope of practice;

Student Health & Safety

• Accurately assessing individual’s levels of function and risk of personal harm;
• Providing debriefing to clients after a trauma has occurred;
• Maintaining appropriate professional boundaries with clients;
• Developing a student personal self-care plan;

General Administration

• Supporting the identification of goals and objectives for SNP Student Wellness initiatives;
• Maintaining and safeguarding the confidentiality of client records with the acceptable standard of practice;
• Writing case notes including, client’s history and treatment plans;
• Writing referral reports to other health professionals including general practitioners, psychiatrists and other specialists;
• Responding and fielding inquiries from new and existing students by email, phone and applicable virtual communication tools;
• Undertaking the administrative tasks associated with providing support services including gathering statistical information, collecting key metric data, assist with mail outs, communicating with team members and maintenance of office systems;
• Maintaining the role of Co-chair for the SNP Student Mental Health Committee;
• Following all SNP policy and procedures; and
• Other related duties, as required.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Master’s level education is required - M.S.W. (Masters of Social Work), M.A. (Counselling/Clinical Psychology), Ed. (Counselling Psychology) or other professional, Master level education will be considered;
• Minimum 1 year, 3 years preferred, of professional practice in one-on-one and/or group counselling;
• Formal training in counselling theories, trauma informed care, Indigenous healing/helping methods and their practical application is required;
• Registration with and insurability through, the appropriate regulatory body associated with the individual’s professional discipline is mandatory (i.e.: CRPO, OCSWSSW, or CPO); and
• Current certification in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) and Mental Health First Aid is considered an asset.
  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent communication skills with an emphasis on written expression (i.e., faultless spelling and grammar, and professional style);
• Sound interpersonal skills including communication, empathy, organization, negotiation, confidentiality and professional judgement;
• Demonstrated competencies in strategic thinking, coordination, analysis, policy implementation, and comfort with change management;
• Ability to work under pressure and manage schedules and timelines;
• A general and current knowledge of Hodinǫshǫ:nih history, culture, values, contemporary issues, community priorities, and stakeholders;
• Capacity to work both independently and in a team setting, demonstrating Hodinǫshǫ:ni values of Ga`nigohi:yo:;
• Demonstrated familiarity with standard desktop computing programs, including spreadsheets, word processing, and database applications, on the Windows 2010 (or later) operating system; and
• Knowledge of Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act ("PIPEDA"), Ontario's Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act ("FIPPA") and Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA).

At Six Nations Polytechnic, we are committed to diversity and inclusion as we continue and expand our efforts to become a more inclusive, safe and respectful workplace. Human Resources will accommodate any needs under the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Recruitment processes will be modified to remove barriers to accommodate those with disabilities, as may be requested.

Applicants from Six Nations and other Indigenous communities will be given preference to deliver programs and services in a First Nations community.

Application Deadline: until filled

Job Type: permanent

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• 37.5 hours/week