Addictions Counsellor

**Job Description**:
RVH’s live-in treatment center provides clients with comprehensive, evidence-based treatment within a 28-day structured program. The program includes individualized treatment planning, family support, comprehensive discharge planning and aftercare support for individuals struggling with their use of substances.

The Addiction Counsellor is responsible for providing a broad range of addiction counselling and related supportive services to clients within the treatment setting and for those attending on an outpatient basis. The Addiction Counsellor is responsible for facilitating client activities within a structured environment and ensuring clients participate in structured daily activities. In a collaboration with other team members, they will ensure clients, and their families are supported through the provision of telephone support, the completion of intakes, admissions, on-going assessments, individual and group counselling and discharge planning.

**We Currently Have the Following Opportunities Available**:

- **3 Regular Part-Time**:

- **7 Regular Full-Time**

**Qualifications**:
**Education**:

- Degree or Diploma in Health or Social Science field or equivalent required.
- College certificate in Addiction Studies from recognized institution required.
- Certification as an Addiction Counsellor (International Certified Alcohol and Drug Counsellor (ICAD) or Canadian Certified Addiction Counsellor (CCAC) preferred.
- Membership with a relevant college/registering body considered an asset.
- Basic CPR and First Aid certifications.
- Certification in non-violent crisis intervention considered an asset.
- Formal training in CBT/DBT/Solution focused /family Therapy/Supportive counselling considered an asset.
- Suicide Prevention and Crisis Intervention training considered an asset.

**Experience**:

- Minimum 3 years direct care experience working with individuals with substance use disorders and mental health problems.
- Previous related experience with acute and chronic populations using best practices modalities for groups and individuals.
- Sound knowledge and understanding of the process of addiction and recovery, psychiatric illnesses, personality development and dynamics of human behavior.
- Experience with principles of risk management and de-escalation techniques.
- Working knowledge of community resources to support addiction and mental health.

**Competencies**:

- Demonstrated ability to observe the core competencies of an addiction counsellor.
- Ability to conduct comprehensive assessments, develop treatment plans and complete referrals to other programs or agencies as required.
- Demonstrated experience with evidence-based, trauma informed counselling skills.
- Maintaining clear, accurate and timely documentation, which will include admission notes, daily progress reports and discharge summaries.
- The ability to identify additional/alternate services and complete appropriate referrals as required.
- Facilitate aftercare programing for clients and family members.
- A strong commitment to the provision of client centered care.
- Knowledge of pharmacology and prescription medications considered an asset.
- Demonstrated experience in assessment, referral, case management and counselling with individuals living with substance related concerns.
- Extensive knowledge and demonstration of addiction counselling core competencies.
- Knowledge of current models of addiction treatment, best practices, and models of counselling, including CBT, REBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness and Relapse Prevention.
- Maintain knowledge, skills, and abilities by keeping up to date regarding professional standards through reviewing current literature, attending workshops/seminars and networking with colleagues.
- Experience providing support to individuals with concurrent disorders.
- Demonstrated ability to work closely with an interdisciplinary team and community partners.

**Responsibilities**:

- Providing individual, family and group counselling
- Completing intakes, discharges and addiction related assessments
- Providing health teaching and education in individual and group settings
- Facilitation of psychoeducational and therapeutic groups and aftercare sessions with clients and family
- Maintain clear, accurate and timely documentation, which will include admission notes, daily progress reports and discharge summaries.
- Utilizing crisis intervention techniques as required
- Completing referrals to community partners and facilitate transition to aftercare and alternative supports
- Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team to ensure continuity of patient care
- Act as liaison between patients and community partners, ensuring the patient is connected with the appropriate community agencies prior to time of discharge
- Completing appropriate documentation as required
- Other duties as assigned