Mental Health Counselor, Full-time

**External/Internal posting**

job title: Mental Health Counselor

job ID #: IHS MHCFT 25-0919

department: Integrated Health Services

reports to: Senior Manager, Mental Health and Harm Reduction

salary range: (CS4) $34.66 to $43.00 per hour

status: Full Time, Permanent

hours: 37.5 hours per week

vacancy: 2

**Who we are**:
Sherbourne is a leading provider of quality health care and transformative support to people who face social, economic, and other systemic barriers. Our mission is to be a dynamic provider of integrated health services, community programs and capacity-building initiatives that enable people and diverse communities to achieve wellness.

Sherbourne provides innovative health care and social services to the diverse urban population of southeast Toronto. While our doors are open to everyone, we focus on people experiencing homelessness or who are under-housed; 2SLGBTQ+, and newcomers to Canada. We are funded by the Ministry of Health, Ontario Health, Ministry of Community, Children and Social Services, the City of Toronto and many generous donors and foundations.

**about the role**:
The Mental Health Counselor is a member of the Mental Health and Integrated Health Services Team and provides services and support to 2SLGBTQ community members; immigrant, refugees and newcomers to Canada; and people who are homeless and under-housed, with a broad range of mental health, emotional health and/or substance use issues.

**Working at Sherbourne**

At Sherbourne Health, we care about our staff and recognize that our biggest strength is our people. We have a solid commitment to life-long learning which is demonstrated through our professional development program. We invest in collective work and staff training to improve client care. We supplement this by creating a low-barrier work environment built on equity and respect, while working together in caring, cohesive teams and providing opportunities for advancement.

**we believe in work-life balance and offer**:

- A competitive salary.
- Membership in Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP).
- Up to five weeks of vacation per year (to start).
- Up to four personal days per year.
- An extended healthcare and dental package.
- Long-term disability insurance.
- Life insurance.
- An employee assistance plan.
- A generous professional development plan: up to $1,300 to be used towards learning activities.
- Up to six fully paid professional development days per year - related to position/responsibilities.

**day to day responsibilities**:

- **Direct Service**_**:

- Provides holistic assessment and support services to individuals presenting with mental/ emotional health or substance use issues.
- Ensures that appropriate treatment plans are developed, implemented, and evaluated in collaboration with clients.
- Monitors client progress adjusting plans as necessary, links to and coordinates required services while coordinating client care.
- Offers counseling or therapy services through both our Brief Therapy Service and our Psychotherapy Service or makes referrals to a more suitable service outside Sherbourne.
- Assists clients to access community supports, housing, welfare, legal or other social or health services and advocates on their behalf where needed.
- Active member of a multidisciplinary team:

- Participates in regular client conferences;
- Engages in discussion of possible resolutions to client care issues;
- Discusses initiatives and improvements to increase the quality of service provided to clients.
- Works with clients and community groups to diminish social isolation and promote participation in community networks and activities.
- Provides clients with opportunities to evaluate their progress and make choices regarding treatment/healing alternatives.
- Develops, delivers and evaluates groups or workshops in partnership with other staff or other community organizations.
- Completes forms, reports, and statistics as required by professional guidelines and Sherbourne policies.
- Communicates effectively with other team members/caregivers to ensure optimum care within the boundaries of confidentiality and appropriate disclosure.
- Acts as a resource to staff regarding mental health issues and participates with the multidisciplinary team in care planning.
- Participates actively in the training of students from all disciplines.
- **Professional, Community and Program Development, Education and Research**_
- Identifies gaps in services or problems in service delivery and works with team members, other organizations and client groups to promote new or improved services.
- As requested, attends organizational and community networks and committees to work on issues that are relevant to Sherbourne's priority populations.
- Participates in the development of policies and strategies that assist clients and communities to address the broad determinants of health.
- Interest and ability to participate in research projects and education programs