Vocational Counsellor

Posting #: 32915

Department: Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACTT) - Brant

Employee Type: Regular, Full Time

If Temporary, Number of Weeks:

Union: OPSEU

Openings Remaining: 1

Work Days: Monday to Sunday, Weekends, Holidays

Time of Day: Days, Evenings

Shift: 7.5 hour

Shift Start: Hours are subject to change based on operational requirements.

This position may be scheduled at any of the following sites: Marquis House, St. Joseph's Lifecare Centre (Brantford)

Opening Date: 27/11/2025

Closing Date: 04/12/2025 Applications must be received online by 12:00 midnight on the Closing Date

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Manager, the Vocational Counsellor participates as a generalist on a multi-disciplinary team to provide intensive case management, crisis intervention, treatment, rehabilitation and support services to persons with severe and persistent mental illnesses, allowing them to live successfully in the community by demonstrating best practice competencies in psychosocial rehabilitation, provide assessment, treatment, rehabilitation and crisis intervention/support services as well as complex physical health issues in the clients' environment of choice (e.g.: ACTT meet with clients in their homes or in the community). ACTT interventions are client goal driven and some clients might need ADL and IADL assistance.

The Vocational Counsellor is a primary resource to the team regarding vocational assessments, interventions, programming and contributes to all team services of rehabilitation, treatment, and support. The Vocational Counselor will coordinate, plan, develop, implement, support and evaluate vocational services for individuals living with a mental illness/addiction. Vocational Rehabilitation services are provided in accordance with the College of Vocational Rehabilitation Professionals (CVRP) Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Post-Secondary Degree or Diploma in Vocational Rehabilitation, Adult Education, Social Work or Human Services related field with core course work in career counseling and mental health/addiction
• Must be a member of Vocational Rehabilitation Association Canada (VRA) with eligibility to hold RRP, RVP designation; member of the College of Vocational Rehabilitation Professionals (CVRP)
• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to implement a broad range of current vocational rehabilitation practices using best practices and evidence informed strategies in mental health and addiction, including psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery approach
• Formal training in Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR) preferred
• Minimum 3-5 years' experience providing vocational counselling in a vocational rehabilitation environment to persons with a mental illness/addiction preferred
• Two (2) years case management experience in a community-based setting preferred and an understanding of OCA preferred
• Ability to plan and coordinate multiple vocational rehabilitation services and other resources for clients
• Clear understanding of Mental Status Exam
• Excellent observation, interviewing and evaluative skills
• Familiarity with psychotropic medications with knowledge of relevant side effects
• Knowledge of current health care and mental health legislation (Health Care Consent Act, Substitute Decisions Act, Mental Health Act, etc.) as well as knowledge of relevant community resources at the federal, provincial and local levels
• Excellent case management skills and the ability to conduct and complete the required documentation and assessments in a timely manner
• Clear understanding of recovery and client-centred approach when working with individuals with mental health/addictions
• Ability to develop concrete treatment plans that are individualized to clients' needs
• Effective interpersonal skills and excellent oral and written communication skills
• Sound knowledge of the principles of Psychosocial Rehabilitation
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and responsibility and to work under minimal supervision
• Research and critical appraisal skills
• Organizational skills to identify needs and establish priorities among competing demands
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to interprofessional team
• Experience in forensics/dual diagnosed/developmental delay an asset
• Excellent assessment, crisis intervention, problem solving and organizational skills
• Ability to advocate on behalf of clients
• Demonstrated ability to be flexible in work assignments
• Demonstrated commitment to personal and professional development
• Good family counseling skills and experience with dysfunctional family systems
• Knowledge of housing, social, financial, vocational and other community resources
• Good working knowledge of the ACT Model
• Ability to work effectively under pressure
• Demonstrated computer skills
• Participate on relevant hospital-and community-based committees
• Current CPR and First Aid required
• Must have a good attendance record
• Valid driver's license, adequate insurance and use of a vehicle to transport clients as needed.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide case management for group of primary clients and all Brant ACTT clients as needed including coordinating and monitoring the activities of the individual treatment plan
• Conduct comprehensive assessment of psychiatric history (onset, course and effect of illness, past treatment and responses and risk behaviors)
• Consult with team and community agencies and families to maintain coordination in treatment process
• Communicate information, both oral and written, regarding assessments, treatment plans and evaluations to the treatment team, client, referral source and other caregivers within practice/agency/legal guidelines
• Participate in daily client care, discussion and treatment planning and to provide the vocational needs perspective
• Maintain current vocational community resources knowledge base and expertise in vocational interventions
• Provide ongoing assessment of clients' mental illness symptoms and clients' response to treatment
• Provide symptom education to enable clients to identify their mental illness symptoms
• Provide direct clinical services to clients on an individual, group, and family basis in the office and in community settings
• Develop a trusting relationship with clients and advocate for client needs
• Participate in providing vocational and rehabilitation services and provide individual vocational-supportive counseling
• Plan and provide work-related supportive services, such as assistance with grooming and personal hygiene, securing of appropriate clothing, wake-up calls and transportation
• Teach job-seeking skills and develop individualized jobs based on clients' needs, abilities, and interests
• Conduct on-the-job performance assessments and evaluations
• Provide ongoing assessment, problem solving, side-by-side services, skill training, supervision (prompts, assignments, monitoring, encouragement) and environmental adaptations to assist clients with activities of daily living.
• Provide nutrition education, meal planning, grocery shopping, and food preparation.
• Assist clients to find and maintain a safe and affordable place to live
• Assist and support clients to perform household activities, including house cleaning and laundry
• Provide benefits counseling and ensure that clients have adequate financial support and teach money-management skills
• Help clients to access reliable transportation
• Provide individual supportive therapy (problem solving, role-playing, modeling and support), social-skill development, and assertiveness training to increase client social and interpersonal activities in community settings
• Plan, structure, and prompt social and leisure-time activities on evenings, weekends and holidays

St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton (SJHH) is an equal opportunity employer and strives for equity, inclusiveness, and diversity in all our programs, practices, facilities, and people. We foster a culture of patient and staff safety where all positions comply and work in conjunction with the Mission, Vision, and Core Values of SJHH.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. SJHH is committed to a barrier-free recruitment and selection process - please inform us should accommodation be required at any point in the recruitment process.