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 l 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**:_

The Addictions Counsellor applies relevant competencies in a manner consistent with generally accepted standards in the profession, independently, and within a reasonable timeframe. The Addictions Counsellor selects and applies competencies in an informed manner, anticipates what outcomes to expect in each situation, and responds appropriately. The Addictions Counsellor recognizes unusual, difficult to resolve and complex situations, and takes appropriate steps to address them based on ethics and standards of practice; this includes seeking consultation or supervision, reviewing research literature, and referring the client.

In addition, the Addictions Counsellor:

- 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
- provide information about 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 become willing to be training 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 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.
- Provision of a clear vulnerable sector criminal record check.

**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 as