Evening Counsellor

**Position Title**:Evening Counsellor/Supervisor

**Department**:Clinical

**Supervisor**:Clinical Director

**Position Summary**:
The primary function of the Evening Counsellor is to identify, evaluate and treat persons who experience problems related to the use of mood-altering chemicals and/or behaviors, and to deal with the relationship between these experiences and the use or abuse of these chemicals. Evening Counsellor will lead their team in ensuring the safety of the patients and facility. The goal of the process is for the counsellor to:

- Assist the person to recognize that his/her use of chemicals and/or behaviors are maladaptive and destructive, and ultimately accept the illness and its seriousness.
- Help or assist the person to make a commitment to him/her to eliminate or minimize these problems by taking appropriate action relative to his/her use of mood-altering chemicals and/or behaviors.
- The activities outlined will of necessity cover a broad range of such activities equal to the infinite variety of persons suffering from chemical dependency and other addictions.
- It is also a major responsibility of an addictions counsellor to be able to recognize problem areas beyond the scope of his/her training, skill or specialty, and to assist others to utilize the knowledge and skills of other professionals.

**Duties and Responsibilities**:

- Ensure company policies are followed.
- Authorize overtime and time off per Edgewood policy.
- Direct employees to duties and tasks.
- Complete patient assessment utilizing psychosocial history.
- Conduct extensive chemical use history with patient.
- Counsel with patient in individual sessions.
- Plan and conduct conferences with family members or other persons significant to the patient.
- Act as a facilitator/therapist in assigned group sessions.
- Meet on a regular basis with all members of the multidisciplinary treatment coordination.
- Consult with the family program staff on the needs of the family or significant others for therapy, education or information, and assists with referring to appropriate programs.
- Participate in in-service workshops as assigned.
- Act as a resource person for the Addictions Training Program as assigned.
- Establish safeguards and keep current assigned patient treatment files.
- Supporting evening staff and on call counsellor.
- Administer psychological testing as required.
- Respond to routine correspondence.
- Develop continuing care plan with patients and refer for appropriate aftercare counselling.
- Convene and lead meetings as required.

**Experience and Qualifications**:
Demonstrated competency in evaluation of performance is the most logical approach to the qualification system. This approach emphasizes competency rather than simply education or experience; it emphasizes being able to do the job, and perform appropriate tasks assigned at whatever level.
- One year continuous responsible full-time employment in the chemical dependency field and/or possessing personal qualities indicative of competence as a counsellor; or
- A general working knowledge of the 12 steps of AA or other step program.
- Updated knowledge of substance use disorder, eating disorders, pathological gambling and sexual addiction.
- Must possess superior reading, writing and communication skills; both verbally and in writing.
- Must be able to understand and follow directions.
- Basic computer skills.
- Must be willing to give and receive feedback.

**Conditions of Employment**:

- Reports directly to Clinical Director.
- Six-month probation period.
- Annual performance review.
- Annual vacation and statutory holiday as per personnel policy.
- Sick leave as per personnel policy.
- Normal work hours: Friday, Saturday and Sunday; 10 hour shifts per the averaging agreement
- Overtime may be required. See personnel policy.
- Salaries will be review annually and may be adjusted according to budget and performance.
- Leave of absence as per personnel policy.
- Travel allowance and insurance as per personnel policy.
- Employee benefits as per personnel policy.
- Dress code as per personnel policy.
- Will conduct themselves according to the Counsellor Code of Ethics.