Counsellor (Wellness, Fhs Education Services)

**Schedule**

Monday-Friday, 8:30AM-4:30PM,

35 hours/week

**Education Level**

Master's degree in Counselling Psychology, or a related field of study.

**Career Level**

Requires 3 years of relevant experience.

**Job Description Number**

JD00181
- Should the successful applicant be a Unifor Unit 1 bargaining unit member, who meets the eligibility conditions of Article 19.02 of the Unifor Unit 1 Collective Agreement, then the Limited Term Assignment will be defined as a Career Growth Opportunity in accordance with Article 19 of the Unifor Local 5555 Unit 1 Collective Agreement._

Ranked as one of the world’s Top 100 universities, **McMaster University** is devoted to the **cultivation of human potential**, realized through our innovative educational programs, cutting-edge research, and the diverse students, faculty, staff and alumni who make up the McMaster family. Dedicated to creating a _Brighter World_, we recognize that **our people are our most valuable resource**. **Those who join McMaster** **will find a community of talented individuals who are inspired by the university's commitment to embodying the values of integrity, quality, inclusiveness and teamwork. It is through these talented individuals, their creativity and drive for results that McMaster University has earned its reputation as being Canada's most innovative university.

The Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS), the largest Faculty within McMaster, has an unwavering commitment to collaboration, strategic partnerships, accountability, innovation, excellence, integrity and optimism. Our pioneering approaches to education and our reputation for world-class research has consistently placed McMaster among the top 50 universities in the world for health and medicine. The Faculty enjoys close relationships with its academic hospital partners, as well as strong collaborations with researchers in Canada and around the world.

**Unit/Project Description**:
Student Affairs, Undergraduate Medical Education (UGME) and Resident Affairs, Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME) are seeking a new Wellness Counsellor to join the Faculty of Health Sciences, Education Services team. The main responsibilities of this role are to provide:

- Brief short-term counselling for a range of personal concerns (examples: acute stressors during medical school or residency, adjustment to clerkship or residency) to medical students and residents in a timely manner. The emphasis is on rapid access to resources, care and support that is sensitive to the academic and learning culture of the learner. For psychiatric diagnosis and treatment, the counsellor would provide liaison with on-campus and off-campus mental health resources to facilitate diagnosis and treatment and, to avoid duplication of service.
- Building wellness and mindfulness programming geared to the specific needs and contexts of trainees in collaboration with the Chair and Directors, Student Affairs; Director, Resident Affairs; the Student Wellness Centre; counsellors and support services in other medical program/campuses; professional competencies; Undergraduate and Postgraduate Medical Education; McMaster Medical Students’ Council; among other stakeholders.
- Liaison and consultation with faculty and staff to provide information and advice regarding mental health.
- Liaison with regional campuses around wellness curriculum, if required, and available for student and resident support via secure telehealth connection, proportional to numbers of students.

The position works closely with the UGME Student Affairs Chair, Director(s) Student Affairs, and MD Program Career Counsellors, as well as the PGME Resident Affairs Assistant Dean and Directors. This role reports jointly to the UGME and PGME Program Managers.

**Job Summary**:
The Counsellor is responsible for promoting student development, student success, and student retention by designing, and providing a comprehensive range of psychological and educational services to aid students in achieving improved academic performance, enhanced personal and social effectiveness, and appropriate educational and career plans.

**Purpose and Key Functions**:

- Identify, assess, develop, and implement effective treatment plans.
- Conduct in-depth counselling and therapy interviews and utilize existing theoretical models to interpret information.
- Provide assessments of mental health and risk factors and coordinate referrals with professionals within the Student Wellness Centre and the community.
- Aid clients in identifying and solving emotional and interpersonal problems that may be affecting their academic success, well-being, and bio-psycho-social development.
- Provide psychological counselling services such as personal counselling, group counselling, and crisis counselling.
- Interact and assess the level of risk when students present with indications of harm to self or others, or suicidality.
- Consult with others regarding how to manage difficult or disrupti