Concurrent Disorders Outreach Worker

PAARC is a non-profit, community-based agency, providing a wide variety of services to persons with substance use and gambling concerns, and those living with concurrent emotional and mental health concerns. PAARC offers a person-centred philosophy, including a harm reduction approach, to a wide range of client populations and partners with many other agencies to provide integrated care.

PAARC is seeking mature, confident, responsible, professional individuals to join our Street Outreach Team, which is led by the Canadian Mental Health Association-Peel Dufferin Branch. The Concurrent Disorders Worker will provide high-quality services to those who are precariously housed or homeless with substance use, co-occurring emotional health and mental health issues, and people concerned about gambling and gaming behaviour and internet dependency. This position includes working within strong collaborative partnership programs that promote and celebrate diversity, inclusivity and accessibility.

Under the supervision of a clinical supervisor and the program manager, the majority of work will be conducted in the community, visiting clients in their homes, at other organizations, in PAARC’s various office locations, or at mutually-agreeable and safe locations within our geographic area. This position requires strong case management skills, and supportive counselling skills to provide care both in-person and using virtual platforms. Due to the vulnerability of the population served, most client-related care will take place in person.

PAARC offers a 35-hour workweek, with 8-hour shifts that cover the operating hours from 8:00 AM- 6:00 PM, with an unpaid hour for meals. Shifts are typically from 8:00 AM- 4:00PM, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM or 10:00 AM-6:00 PM.

PAARC offers competitive benefits for eligible employees, with a strong commitment to coaching and professional development.
- Are you professional, mature, and humble?
- Do you see the best in others and support their strengths?
- Do you seek learning opportunities to build knowledge, skill and character?
- Do you demonstrate a high level of accountability and integrity?
- Do you seek to contribute to the success of others?
- Do you demonstrate adaptability and resiliency? Are you results-oriented?
- Do you have a strong work ethic?
- Do you demonstrate good work habits and stand up as a positive role model?
- Can you demonstrate good clinical skills that include engagement, case management and group facilitation, supportive counselling, appropriate boundaries and closure skills?
- Do you have a balanced sense of self and demonstrate excellent emotional health? Can you demonstrate excellent record keeping?
- Are you productive in a fast-paced environment with distractions?
- Can you work in various settings, including interior office space, shared space, and with various levels of noise?

Key Responsibilities:

- Engage with clients to conduct comprehensive assessments for substance use, emotional and mental health concerns and other social determinants of health
- Prepare treatment plans, tailored to each client, for substance use and emotional and mental health concerns
- Prepare goal plans that serve as a roadmap for clients to optimize their wellness and make referrals to appropriate resources
- Conduct risk and psychosocial assessments, using appropriately validated tools
- Engage in the functions of case management with clients to support their achievement of goals
- Facilitate group sessions
- Engage in individual supportive counselling sessions with clients
- Provide coordinated care to family members and significant others Engage with other service providers to optimize integrated care
- Positively participate in team meetings, supervision, case conference, service resolution meetings, planning meetings, and staff meetings
- Maintain current information about community resources
- Maintain thorough and timely documentation, files, related reports and data entry, based on best practices and policies
- Work collaboratively as part of a multi agency multi-disciplinary team, which may include supporting the efforts of the Street Response Team and Mobile Health Clinic

Key Qualifications:
A bachelor-level degree in a related field, from an accredited educational institution

Some positions require three to five years of experience, preferably working with persons living with substance use, gambling, gaming, emotional and mental health concerns

Excellent knowledge of substance use and co-occurring issues

Strong engagement and assessment skills

Strong case management skills

Demonstrated ability to provide supportive counselling

Awareness of the systemic issues of racism, oppression, poverty, and marginalization

Knowledge of various philosophies regarding substance use, with a balanced approach

Exceptionally strong practice of professional ethics, boundaries, and accountability

Strong and healthy communication and critical thinking skills

Proven ability to work i