Autism Counsellor

Job Location**:Hamilton**

Program**:Hamilton Autism Programs**

Job Title**: Autism Counsellor**

Position**:Permanent full time (40 hours/ week)**

Pay**: $**56,786**

Start Date of Employment**:ASAP**

Reports to**:Area Manager**

Application Deadline**: ASAP**

**What Do We Do**:
Woodview Mental Health & Autism Services offers a broad spectrum of services for children, youth and their families facing mental health challenges. We work in direct partnership with children, youth and their families as well as with schools and social service agencies to ensure families are receiving the support they need, when and where they need it. “We are committed to providing individualized, client-centered services and supports based on our values of accountability, respecting others, working together, leading, innovation and learning and our commitment to staff”. Woodview goes above and beyond to engage individuals and families by providing high quality mental health and autism services and supports that inspires hope and strengthens lives.

**Employees receive**:

- A meaningful job that inspires hope and strengthens lives
- A positive culture and supportive environment that offers flexibility
- A comprehensive benefits package including extended healthcare and dental coverage as well as a RRSP contribution program
- A generous vacation entitlement (entry-level full-time employees can expect to receive 3 weeks paid vacation to start)
- A commitment to wellness in the workplace as well as ongoing professional development and training opportunities

**Position Summary**:
**Job Responsibilities (may include but are not limited to)**:
Client Service and Support- Serves in a professional and caring manner that respects the needs, wishes, and abilities of the clients, and respects the philosophies and values of the Centre, the community, and the profession.-
- Actively engages clients, teaching a variety of age-appropriate skills/activities to ensure ongoing learning to increase independence.-
- Provides training and client support related to a variety of activities-
- 4.Implementing Behaviour Support Plans (BSP), recording and maintaining relevant notes (ex. Behavioural Data Collection, etc.), tracking client progress and other relevant data as determined by the Program Manager-
- Communicating and collaborating with families, as well as a variety of professionals and community agencies-
- Taking leadership and initiative in planning and implementing children, youth, and adult groups, including communicating with families concerning goals, progress, future planning, etc.-
- Participating in ongoing evaluation and appraisal of the effectiveness of all activities and programs-
- Ongoing communication and collaboration with Teammates-
- Facilitates a client-centered approach that fosters collaborative decision making with clients.-
- Builds on the strengths of clients to encourage skill development, self-determination and inclusion within the community.-
- Encourage skill development and integration of goals into on-going service delivery.-
- Knows, respects and advocates for the rights of clients.-
- Builds an effective professional rapport with clients by focusing on respect, dignity, inclusion, and maintaining personal boundaries.-
- Personal Care - Assists clients with personal hygiene, with consideration for and attention to the respect and dignity of the individual.-
- Activities of Daily Living - Participate in meal planning, with consideration for nutrition, budgeting, client preferences and dietary restrictions, working collaboratively with co-workers.-
- Prepare and cook nutritious and varied meals, integrating client goals where appropriate.-
- Assist clients with personal finances, facilitating opportunities to purchase the goods and services of their choosing.-
- Transports individuals or groups of clients in agency vehicles or in their personal vehicles.**Skills and Knowledge**:
- Diploma or Degree from a recognized University or community college in the fields of Autism Spectrum Disorders, Behavioural Sciences, Psychology, Human Services, Child & Youth Worker (CYW), or equivalent in education and experience and professional training deemed acceptable to serve the needs of the client population.-
- Knowledge of and demonstrated experience implementing strength-based and evidence-based practices and supports, particularly the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis, in an environment working with children/youth and adults with autism spectrum disorder is an asset to the role.-
- Ability to interpret and comply with the policies and procedures of the Agency and Ministry directives with the assistance of the Program Manager.-
- Good judgment, initiative, and demonstrated high standard of service delivery and professional skills.-
- The ability to work independently and as a supportive and active member of an interdisciplinary team.-
- Demonstrated good health. (A certificate indicating the absence of communic