Addictions Counsellor, Safe Beds

Become part of the ADAPT team; the team that makes a difference, supports its employees in their career development and creates a positive environment to work in.

**POSITION**: Addictions Specialist for the Safe Beds Program

**LOCATION**: This position is part of the ADAPT hybrid model of operation and is a combination of remote work and in-office/ community/ partner sites work

**This position will be classified as a permanent 1.0FTE**

**WHAT'S THERE FOR YOU?**

You will work with a fun, cooperative and diverse team. This group will provide you many opportunities to learn from other professions and enhance your skills and abilities when providing services to your clients. It's an extremely interesting and unique role, with excellent work-life balance.

**SUMMARY**:
Delivers clinical services to clients (16 years of age and older) with addictions (and mental health concerns) who are in crisis, for example identified by police or mobile crisis teams, and who are or have been using short-term residential services of the Safe Beds program. The incumbent will take a multidisciplinary approach working closely with the ADAPT community partners when providing clinical assessments and developing and implementing clinically sound treatment plans, including linkages to other community services. Through group and individual therapy they will facilitate active warm transfer and navigation to subsequent needed services upon discharge.

**ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**:

- Assesses client needs through the use of diagnostic tools and structured interviews;
- In consultation with the client and other members of the case management team and significant persons, conducts case conferences/consultations, develops an individual treatment plan for the client and conducts appropriate case management services with respect to the client’s treatment plan;
- Provides individual and/or group and family counselling to address the clients’ needs; family engagement, support and education;
- Crisis support;
- Assists the client when transitioning from the Safe Beds residential services to housing in the community;
- Continues to offer client counselling and case management support as needed post Safe Beds discharge;
- Identifies next stage (post-Safe Beds) services in the community and facilitates navigation and warm transfer to these services to reintegrate clients into the community and reduce their risk of recidivism; refers clients to other appropriate support services and agencies according to the clients’ needs, with specific attention to supporting referrals between addictions and housing services;
- Provides support specific to life skills, daily living skills, conflict resolution, crisis intervention and prevention, budgeting assistance, community integration, etc.,
- Participates (as required) in: community outreach and advocacy in the field of addictions committees, community education and public awareness initiatives, and professional development activities;
- Attends/provides services at the Safe Beds facility and allied locations;
- Is an active member of the Situation Table;
- Travels throughout Halton and Peel Regions;
**EDUCATION**

University degree (undergraduate or graduate level) in Social Work, Health and Social Science and/ or Health related field plus Addiction Studies certification required;
**LICENSES, CERTIFICATION AND CREDENTIALS**
- Professional registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers an asset;
- GAIN certificate an asset;
- Non-violent crisis intervention, First Aid, CPR and ASIST certifications;
**RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE**
- At least 3 years working experience with clients 18 years of age and older in the area of addictions, and mental health; additionally, experience in transitional housing case management an asset;
- Experience in: Individual, family, and group therapy; Community development and networking; Record keeping and file management; Basic life skills counselling, supportive counselling, crisis intervention, advocacy, and group work; Managing clients with complex needs in varying stages of change;
**REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE**
- Broad knowledge of addictions treatments and explanatory theories (with an emphasis on harm-reduction), mental illness, and community resources is required;
- Ability to provide trauma-informed care is required;
- Ability to provide, or support the provision of, community withdrawal management services;
- Familiarity with community services and resources;
- Strong communication and active listening;
- Ability to: function independently, maintain effective working relationships with others, work effectively under pressure or deadlines and work outside regular office hours as required, use good judgement to make sound decisions;
- Experienced sense and awareness of ethical boundaries and clinical reporting obligations;
- Good organizational skills;
- Ability to communicate effectively with clients, employees a