Addiction Counsellor

Addictions Counsellor

Title

Addictions Counsellor

Reports To

Clinical Lead

Summary

At iRecover, the heart of our program is facilitated by the Addictions Counsellor position. Please read the following job description in relation to the Addictions Counsellor position.

If you have the following traits, this may be a career choice for you:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Time management skills
• Patience and open-mindedness
• Strong altruistic and empathic ability
• Emotional maturity
• Professional boundaries

Role Description

What does this job look like?

Addictions Counsellors work with clients from diverse backgrounds who have various addiction disorders such as drug, alcohol, and process addictions. Through psychoeducation, individual and group therapy, addictions counselors work with affected individuals, using suitable intervention strategies and treatment approaches to counsel clients through all stages of recovery. Throughout this process, counselors continually review, assess, and document their clients’ progress and follow up post-treatment.

Before counselling, they evaluate client strengths, possible problems, extent of addictions, and the client’s potential to change. Taking the client’s history into consideration, they create research and experience-based treatment plans. Counsellors will inform their clients about addiction issues and the programs and services available, as well as refer clients to other experts when necessary.

In their practice, addiction counsellors do one or more of the following: (a) within a counselling relationship, assess, guide, support, and treat individuals or groups of individuals with addictions to enhance, maintain, and promote health and wellness; (b) engage in education with respect to the practice of addiction counselling; (c) engage in research related to the practice of addiction counselling; (d) provide restricted activities authorized by the regulations.

Responsibilities:

• Work with clients from diverse cultures and backgrounds who are addicted to alcohol and/or other drugs.
• Assess client strengths, problem areas, severity of dependence, and readiness to change.
• Develop client treatment plans that are based on research, clinical experience, and client history.
• Provide information about addiction issues and available services and programs.
• Make appropriate referrals.
• Hold information sessions and therapy groups.
• Counsel affected individuals and family members through all stages of recovery.
• Counsel affected individuals using appropriate intervention strategies and treatment approaches.
• Review, evaluate, and document client progress.
• Provide aftercare and follow-up.

Job Requirements:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counselling, or related field, with a minimum of 2 years’ experience working in a clinical setting.
• Knowledge or willingness to be trained in the Mental Health Services Protection Act, Mental Health Services Protection Regulation, and Residential Addiction Treatment Service Standards.
• Prior clinical experience providing individual and group therapy is a strong asset.
• Knowledge and skill in treatment planning, and group (process) facilitation.
• Familiarity working in the areas of trauma, addictions, and mental health.
• A positive attitude and excellent problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work as a member of a team as well as independently.
• Ability to take initiative and demonstrate reliability and flexibility.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Proficient computer knowledge.
• Up-to-date Suicide Intervention training and First Aid/CPR is required.
• Personal journey or experiences with the 12 steps considered an asset.
• Provision of a clear vulnerable sector criminal record check.
• Valid driver’s license.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Screening and assessment of program participants: Administering and interpreting the results of evidence-informed tools and methods to measure a client’s addiction severity and related concerns and inform the care and treatment plan.
• Treatment Planning: Collaboratively developing a treatment plan based on screening and assessment findings, ensuring that activities and resources reflect the client’s needs, strengths, and goals.
• Crisis Intervention: Recognizing and responding effectively when a client, associated group, or community with addictions or concurrent disorders is in an unstable, risky, dangerous, or potentially dangerous situation.
• Counselling: Applying a comprehensive range of evidence-informed counselling styles, techniques, and methodologies aimed at improving the overall well-being of clients with addiction and concurrent disorder.
• Record Keeping and Documentation: Creating and maintaining accurate, up-to-date, comprehensive client records able to withstand legal scrutiny.
• Client Referral: Collaborating with clients, services, and supports to identify and access the best available resources to meet clients’ needs.
• Group Facilitation: Using evidence-informed approaches to work effectively with clients in group settings.
• Closure: Facilitating a collaborative approach to close the therapeutic process with clients, individuals, and/or groups supporting client’s self-efficacy and fostering the client’s ability to function independently.

Skills:

• Advocacy skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills to work with diverse client groups with varying levels of comprehension and language capability.
• Effective listening, observation, and facilitation skills to assess clients and provide appropriate treatment and consultation.
• Strong mediation, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills to respond or assist in emergency situations.
• Strong collaboration skills to manage service delivery in conjunction with case managers, clients, their family members/caregivers, and other health care professionals.
• Ability to deal with demanding interpersonal situations and respond with good judgment and understanding.
• Ability to communicate information effectively through various means including meetings, reports, letters, and presentations.
• Advanced oral and written communication skills in English to establish and maintain a wide range of contacts with health care professionals and community organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and make independent decisions.
• Ability to think critically and be innovative to create/modify strategy or intervention techniques to meet the individual needs of the participant.

Physical Demands:

The Addictions Counsellor will be required to move throughout the community and beyond, so must be comfortable driving and walking in all weather. The Addictions Counsellor must be able to prioritize situations and manage time and may find that they are needed at irregular hours causing fatigue and stress. They may experience stress and stress-related symptoms due to interacting with clients in crisis. The Addictions Counsellor may be exposed to illness and unsanitary conditions, so must take care to protect their own health. The Addictions Counsellor may also have to manage physically threatening clients and be prepared to be responsible for their own safety, and the safety of others.

Environmental Conditions:

The Addictions Counsellor may find their day to be busy with both scheduled and unscheduled clients. They must be ready to respond quickly and effectively to many types of situations, including crisis situations. The Addictions Counsellor may also be invited to other environments that are stressful. They may experience isolation because members of the community may not always agree with the decisions they make, and the commitment to confidentiality may not allow a response. The Addictions Counsellor must be prepared to manage their own stress as well as the stress of others.

Sensory Demands:

The Addictions Counsellor will be in contact with individuals and families in crisis who may be ill, using substances, and/or not attentive to personal health and safety for themselves or their homes. The Addictions Counsellor may experience several unpleasant sensory demands associated with the lack of personal care.

Mental Demands:

The Addictions Counsellor must monitor their own time and stress levels to ensure that they are able to effectively assist clients. They may find that they are continually interrupted and may have to quickly assess situations to respond appropriately. The Addictions Counsellor may be placed in a situation where their own life may be threatened as well as life-threatening situations for others such as instances of medical crisis or suicidal ideation and attempts.

Job Type: Full-time

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Dental care
• Extended health care
• RRSP match
• Vision care

Flexible language requirement:

• French not required

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree (preferred)

Work Location: In person