Addictions Counsellor, Substance Use Health

**Position Description**:
The Addictions Counsellor serves as a central access point for clients engaging with the comprehensive services offered by the Mental Health and Addictions Treatment (MHAT) Hub. They play a critical role in supporting individuals by conducting intake assessments, identifying specific needs, and providing tailored interventions that address substance use, mental health, and social determinants of health.

Working within an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary team, the Addictions Counsellor ensures that clients accessing the MHAT Hub and Substance Use Health Services receive holistic, person-centered care that promotes stabilization, well-being, and long-term recovery. This is achieved through crisis intervention, culturally safe mental health counselling, and comprehensive wraparound supports that connect clients to social services, employment, and education pathways. Additionally, the counsellor guides clients through the five-step recovery process, supporting them in their contemplation of recovery and facilitating their transition to structured treatment for long-term success.

**Key Responsibilities**:

- Serve as the primary point of access for clients engaging with the MHAT Hub and Substance Use Health Services.
- Conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments to evaluate substance use, mental health, housing, and social factors affecting well-being.
- Provide case management to support service recipients in their recovery goals. Develop individualized care plans that focus on stabilization, harm reduction, and long-term recovery.
- Provide culturally safe, trauma-informed counselling using a recovery-based approach.
- Offer individual and group counselling.
- Support clients in managing substance use and co-occurring mental health concerns.
- Provide immediate crisis intervention and connect high-risk individuals to appropriate support services.
- Ensure wraparound care coordination, linking clients to social assistance supports such as food security, collective kitchens, shower and laundry, hygiene supplies, shelter and housing supports, income supports, referrals and many more.
- Conduct perimeter sweeps around the facility to engage with clients outside the building and inform them about available services.
- Build trust and rapport with individuals who may be hesitant to access services offered by the MHAT Hub.
- Offer on-the-spot support and crisis intervention.
- Monitor safety concerns in the surrounding area and de-escalate conflicts when necessary.
- Develop and facilitate peer support groups, psychoeducational workshops, and mental health programs tailored to high-risk populations.
- Support clients to enhance access to employment and educational opportunities.
- Promote client engagement and empowerment by fostering a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment.
- Act as a resource for CHC staff, providing guidance on addiction, mental health, and recovery based strategies.
- Maintain accurate and confidential client records, including assessments, progress notes, referrals, and care plans.
- Adhere to CHC policies, ethical guidelines, and professional standards for documentation and client care.
- Participate in interdisciplinary case conferences, team meetings, and quality improvement initiative

**Other**:

- Provide mentorship and supervision to students, interns, and new staff.
- Engage in ongoing professional development, including training, literature review, and peer collaboration.
- Support Hamilton Urban Core CHC-wide initiatives, including annual events, advocacy efforts, and client-centered programming.
- Other duties as assigned.

**Qualifications**:

- A Bachelor’s degree in Counselling, Concurrent Disorders, Social Work, Mental Health, Psychology, or a related Healthcare field.
- Registration and good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) is an asset.
- An Ontario Certificate of Qualification as a Mental Health Worker (MHW) or equivalent training is an asset.
- Experience working with clients facing substance use challenges, mental health concerns, homelessness, and complex social barriers.
- Proficiency in individual and group counselling, crisis intervention, and harm reduction strategies.
- Strong knowledge of trauma-informed care, cultural safety, and recovery-oriented practices.
- Experience linking clients to housing, employment, and education supports.
- Excellent counselling, advocacy, and case management skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team.
- Strong understanding of anti-oppressive, anti-racist, and culturally responsive approaches.
- Ability to support clients in identity development, cultural connections, and community belonging.

Hiring Committee - Addictions Counsellor, Substance Use Health

Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre

430 Cannon Street East Hamilton Ontario L8L 2C8
- Hamilton Urban Core is committed to equity in employment._

Pay: