Addiction Counsellor

At House of Friendship we believe in what we are doing. We get out of bed each day to make a difference in our community; to walk with and to serve. We are not happy with the status quo. We get energy from ongoing learning and growth. We lead with passion and believe without a doubt that everyone deserves to belong and thrive. We live and breathe our values of Compassion, Inclusion, Justice, Dignity and Hope. And we have fun

Sounds pretty great doesn’t it? It is

Concurrent Supportive Housing works to provide addiction counselling and support to individuals living in a supportive housing environment. Addiction Counsellors within this program can expect to meet with participants in their home or communal space and involves traveling to different locations within the Waterloo Region. A housing first model, this program aims to support those actively seeking to make change to their substance use, as well as support those whose substance use may be affecting their ability to remain housed. Time with participants may involve psychotherapeutic, supportive and skill-based counselling depending on participants stage of change and individual goals. Motivation interviewing and harm reduction approaches may frequently be used.

Moving Forward is a program designed to support individuals identifying as female who are pregnant or parenting under the age of 6. Addiction Counsellors within this program can expect to meet with participants in the community or in office to support clinical counselling or provide case management support.

*** This is a full-time, permanent, salaried (37.5 hours/week) position with paid sick time, personal days and vacation; group health benefits and defined contribution pension plan.**

**Schedule is Monday to Friday; generally daytime hours, with one evening shift per week.**

**Key Responsibilities**:

- Substance use assessments and program screening, intake, completion, discharge and referral
- Develop treatment plan collaboratively with participant, monitor and evaluate participant progress
- Individual and group counselling using an eclectic therapeutic approach
- Case management
- Establish strong, therapeutic rapport and maintain appropriate professional relationships
- Participate in daily operations of the office
- Develop and Implement evidence based programming
- Work collaboratively with internal and external partners
- Complete documentation and data entry in line with agency and legislative requirements
- Maintain confidentiality in compliance with Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA)
- Participation and involvement in other programs, Addiction Services and broader agency activities
- Participate in clinical supervision and case consultation
- Assess complex situations and make appropriate decisions independently and as part of a team

**Critical Skills**:

- Demonstrated ability to establish strong, therapeutic rapport
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills required
- Strong interest in working with people in need of support
- Experience and skills providing individual and group counselling
- Commitment to understand and uphold the mission and values of House of Friendship is expected
- Exemplary emotional intelligence, resilience, communication, conflict management and problem solving skills required
- Ability to work professionally as a team member with staff, participants and community members
- Experience or strong interest in working with diverse populations including people from various cultural backgrounds, income levels and sensitivity to their needs
- Experience with and commitment to using an anti-racism, anti-oppressive and trauma informed approach to consultation, program design, evaluations of processes and service delivery
- Must be dependable, professional, flexible, a team player and have a positive attitude
- Respectful, supportive and engaging approach to persons with physical and/or cognitive disabilities, addictions, mental illness and other life challenges
- Excellent project, timeline and deadline management skills including skills in logistics, planning and detailed record keeping

**Education/Experience**:

- University Degree in Counselling, Social Work or a Related Field of Study
- Professional registration, in good standing, as either a Social Worker or Social Services Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) or a Psychotherapist (including qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)
- Minimum 1 year experience in an addiction and/or counselling setting
- Knowledge of substances, problematic substance use, recovery issues and evidence informed practices and clinical treatment modalities

**Job Specific Knowledge/Skills**:

- Sensitivity to and knowledge of issues relating to and impacting on all genders
- Commitment to stage matched, strengths based, person-centred quality psychotherapy services
- Knowledge of community resources and provin