Addictions Outreach Counsellor

**Job Title**:Addictions Outreach Counsellor

**Duration**:Full-Time, contract ending March 31st, 2024 with possible extension

**Location**:Niagara Region

**Hours of Work**:35 hours/week, with evening work as required

**Hourly Rate**: $26.74-$30.96 per hour

**Reports To**:Director of Outreach Services

**Posting Date**:Tuesday April 4th, 2023

**Closing Date**: Tuesday April 11th, 2023 at 4:00 pm

**Application Process: Please include a cover letter and resume**

**Position Summary**

The Counsellor provides services to clients through the agency’s Outreach Services Program. The Counsellor provides services on a daily basis through a continuum of functions that can include: initial and ongoing screening and assessment, treatment planning and ongoing adjustments as required, community treatment, referral and integration of required services, ongoing data entry and clinical file recording, advocacy, potential conjoint family services, group counselling, and collaboration with other service providers.

**Qualifications**
- A relevant undergraduate degree plus two years of addiction experience or a relevant two-year Community College diploma with five years of addiction experience.
- Registered with a regulatory college (i.e. Ontario College of Social Workers/Social Service Workers, College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario) is an asset.
- Current criminal record check for vulnerable sector.
- Valid Driver’s license and insurance.
- Core Clinical training in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and GAIN Q3 MI ONT Site Interviewer certification would be an asset.
- Training in CBT and Solution-Focused Therapy would be considered an asset.
- Current First Aid and CPR certification.
- Experience using Catalyst database
- Experience in harm reductions, safety planning and crisis intervention.
- Proof of an approved completed series of a COVID-19 Vaccination.
- Experience working in a trauma informed care setting.

**Skills and Abilities**
- Demonstrated ability to work co-operatively and negotiate effectively within a multi-disciplinary team of service providers.
- Effective written and oral communication skills, problem solving, advocacy and assessment skills
- Able to manage crisis and adverse situations with staff, clients and families.

**Details of Position/Hours of Work**

Regular work week is 35 hours/week, with evening work as required.

The salary range is $26.74 per hour to $30.96 per hour.

Eligible for health & dental benefits after 3 months and company pension after 6 months

Regulatory College fees covered

Services will be provided in office, the client’s home, community agencies or at locations in the community convenient for the client.

**Duties and Responsibilities**

**1. Entry Services**

Inquiry contact:

- Collect information in enough detail to determine the client’s immediate needs and to provide direction for the next step.
- Complete an intake with a person to determine if eligible for agency services, to complete the intake form and orient the client to services available at agency and process.

**2. Screening and Assessment**
- Conduct a standardized screening and assessment session (if required), using approved documents.
- Determine the client’s specific needs, goals, characteristics, problems and stage of change through motivational interviewing, mutual investigation or exploration.
- Provide clients with information about: the links between their problems and substance use /gambling, addictions treatment services and other community resources to address presenting issues and to initiate the treatment planning process by providing motivational feedback.

**3. Initial Treatment Planning**
- Collaborate with clients to develop individualized treatment plans, based on feedback from the screening and/or assessment results, the client’s strengths, prioritized problem areas, clinical judgement, client’s preference and readiness to change, and identification of potential barriers to treatment entry.
- Develop a clear plan of action; including client’s identified goals, treatment interventions, specific referral as appropriate, duration and frequency of on-going services.

**4. Outreach Services**
- Provide services within an understanding of the context of oppression, poverty and diversity.
- Model and encourage client engagement in all domains of service.
- Facilitate individual and group counselling sessions, relapse prevention, crisis intervention and family counselling.
- Counselling includes brief intervention, lifestyle and personal counselling to assist individuals to develop skills to manage substance abuse and/or gambling and related problems, and/or maintain and enhance treatment goals.

**5. Client Liaison/Advocacy**
- Maintain a professional counselling relationship between the client and counsellor.
- Develop linkages and maintain effective working relationships with other community services and agencies to facilitate contacts and services for clients