Residential Counsellor

The John Howard Society of Durham Region has an exciting opportunity for you. If you have a passion to support young adults with resources who require assistance with life skills, housing, day to day counselling supports, an appreciation for the not-for-profit sector and would like to work for the John Howard Society of Durham Region, we encourage you to apply.

**Residential Counsellor **(INTERNAL to JHS Durham Employees ONLY)**

**Division**: Residential Services

**Work Status**: Full Time

**Location**: Oshawa

**About the Role**:
The Oshawa Residential Programs are a safe, structured, supportive environment for male and female youth (primarily but not exclusively) in the Durham Region. The Residence Programs are designed to assist in learning the skills necessary to live independently in the community. This includes key areas of self-sufficiency such as: Budgeting, Time Management, Menu Planning, Job Keeping, Food Preparation, Communication Skills, Goal Setting, Problem Solving and Decision Making. The programs also take into account the individual needs of the clients by providing counselling in areas such as anger management, substance abuse, family and relationship problems, and taking responsibility for their own lives.

**You will be working on things like**:
**Service User Support**
- Conduct intake and reference checks
- Utilize counselling, crisis intervention, conflict resolution, mediation, and positive reinforcement skills
- Facilitate life skills groups and residents’ weekly house meetings
- Problem solving with clients
- Manage crisis situations preventing self-harm and suicidal behaviour ensuring client has proper medical and psychological treatment i.e., crisis calls, hospital visits
- Role modelling appropriate life skills, healthy relationships including boundary setting and labelling emotions in a respectful manner
- Assist clients with various mental health issues i.e., assessment, appropriate referrals, information seeking
- Assist with meal preparation and housework chores
- Complete move in and move out procedures
- Ensure a safe atmosphere for clients and ensure the residence is secure
- Assist clients with transportation to various appointments i.e., medical, mental health, apartment search
- Motivate and assist clients with all steps of employment search from resume writing to obtaining employment and all areas in-between

**Case Management/Documentation**
- Development and implementation of individual service plans, plans of care, counselling supports and contact logs
- Contract and monitor medications upon client request and document accordingly
- Service planning at exit to include employment search, apartment search, accessing food banks and referrals
- Ensure Bed Bug Procedure is undertaken thoroughly
- Conduct Room Checks and Searches
- Train, instruct and work with relief and newly hired staff/students
- Participate in donation acquisition for Christmas and special occasions
- Assist in activity fund generation

**Administration**
- Complete Incident Reports and Serious Occurrence Reports as per Ministry Guidelines
- Knowledge of and adherence to John Howard Society of Durham Region's policies and procedures
- Complete documentation of all pertinent information in client files and staff logbook
- Ensure information release forms are current
- Balance cash, ensure forms are up-to-date, answer phones/return calls, process receipts, statistics compilations, FAX attendances to Ontario Works and Children’s Aid Society
- Attend all residential staff meetings, and agency meetings as assigned
- Computer literacy
- Process Program Fees, PCPB and other cash responsibly
- Ensuring monthly schedule is completed/Updating regularly with relief staff
- Filling in when coverage is not available i.e., drop ins, staying late, working holidays etc
- Adhere to and follow Alarm Procedures and Fire Procedures
- Complete monthly Fire Procedures

**Community**
- Liaise with community partners which may include probation, Ontario Works, ODSP, ancillary service providers, family, employers, health care providers and educators
- Represent the agency in the community when required
- Attend training as required

**If you have the followingwe would like to hear from you**
- Minimum: Two Year - Social Service Worker Diploma
- Previous employment experience working with at risk young adults (males and females) in a residential setting
- Valid Class G driver's license with appropriate 2 million liability insurance
- Valid Standard First Aid/CPR Certification
- Crisis Intervention training and certification
- ASIST Certification is an asset
- If selected employment is conditional upon a satisfactory Police/Vulnerable Sector Check and a Children’s Aid Society Child Protection Screening.

**Status: Full Time**

**Duration: Continuous**

**Hours: 35 hours per week**

**Location: Oshawa**

**Reports to: Coordinator**

**Travel: Yes, as required (mileage reimbursement)**

**Salary: $22.00 to $22.44 per