Counsellors and Case Managers

PAARC is seeking mature, confident, responsible, professional individuals to join our team to provide high-quality services to those living with substance use, and co-occurring emotional health and mental health issues.

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.

Under the supervision of a clinical supervisor, the majority of the work will be conducted in the community, with some work being conducted at one of PAARC’s office locations or at the offices of one of our partner agencies. Community work will include visiting clients in their homes, or at mutually agreeable and safe locations within our geographic area. Counselling positions require a combination of individual and group counselling, using various therapeutic modalities as appropriate, in person and using virtual platforms. Strong trauma-based counselling skills are required. Case management positions require strong case management skills with some counselling.

Some positions have a specific focus, such as opioid use, youth, and problem gambling.

PAARC offers a 35-hour work week, and the working schedule may include a combination of day and afternoon shifts. Day hours are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, with an unpaid hour for meals, and afternoon hours are 12:30 pm to 8:00 pm, with an unpaid half hour for meals. PAARC does not offer remote working options.

PAARC offers competitive benefits for eligible employees, with a strong commitment to coaching and professional development.

□ Are you professional, mature, and humble?

□ Do 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 strong clinical skills that include engagement, counselling in various modalities within a trauma-informed framework, case management, 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 individual 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
- Link clients with other healthcare providers, such as Nurse Practitioners and Family Physicians, as required
- Engage in individual counselling sessions with clients, utilizing a variety of validated counselling modalities within a trauma-informed framework
- Engage in case management with clients to support their achievement of goals
- Conduct group counselling sessions
- 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 conferences, service resolution meetings, planning meetings, and staff meetings
- Maintain current information of community resources
- Maintain thorough and timely documentation, files, related reports and data entry, based on best practices

Key Qualifications:

- Bachelor’s or Master’s level in a related field, from an accredited educational institution
- Demonstrated experience working in a clinical role with persons living with substance use, emotional and mental health concerns
- Excellent knowledge of substance use and co-occurring issues
- Strong engagement and assessment skills
- Strong case management skills
- 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 independently and in a team context
- Ability to work in multiple office and commun