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.

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

**Schedule Monday to Friday, generally daytime hours (8:30am to 4:30pm). Some flexibility required, including working one (1) evening shift per week.**

**G class driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle are required.**

**Successful completion of a Police Records Check (Vulnerable Sector) required.**

**Key Responsibilities**:

- Substance use assessments and program screening, intake, completion, discharge and referral
- Develop treatment plan collaboratively with participant, monitor and evaluate participant progress
- Develop accommodation plans for participants as needed
- Develop and implement evidence-based programming including creating and promoting specialized workshops that address the needs of the community
- Individual and group counselling delivered both in person and virtually using an eclectic therapeutic approach
- Case management including case consultation, treatment planning and working collaboratively with external and internal partners
- Assess complex situations and make appropriate decisions independently and as part of a team including crisis intervention, risk assessment and safety planning
- Establish strong, therapeutic rapport and maintain appropriate professional relationships
- Complete documentation and data entry in accordance 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
- Work as part of a team including attending the team meetings, trainings and regular supervision meetings
- Support onboarding and training of new team members
- Commitment to ongoing professional development and training

**Job Specific Knowledge/Skills**:

- Sensitivity to and knowledge of issues relating to and impacting on all genders and all marginalized populations
- Commitment to stage matched, strengths based, person-centred quality psychotherapy services
- Knowledge of and training in substance use including associated health risks
- Knowledge of community resources and provincial addiction treatment services
- Demonstrated capacity for accurate and efficient documentation and computer data entry
- Demonstrated ability to calmly problem-solve in a fast-paced, sometimes stressful environment
- Strong communication and listening skills
- Ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team
- Experience working within a non-profit and/or social services environment
- Commitment to work with and support training of students, volunteers and new employees as required
- Commitment to ongoing professional development and training
- Group facilitation and management skills

**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
- Demonstrated understanding of working with individuals experiencing concurrent disorders
- Knowledge and understanding of the complexities of substances, problematic substance use and recovery oriented interventions, evidence informed practices and clinical treatment modalities required

**Critical Skills**:

- Commitment to understand and