Addictions Counsellor, Safe Beds

Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

Salary:

Become part of the ADAPT team; the team that makes a difference, supports its employees in their career development and creates a positive environment to work in.

POSITION:Addictions Specialist for the Safe Beds Program

LOCATION: Safe Beds facility in Oakville + outreach in Halton Region

SUMMARY

As an integrated member of the Safe Beds team the Addictions Specialist will play a key role in supporting clients with substance use concerns and implementing preventative programming and supports. With a trauma informed lens, the Addictions Specialist will provide meaningful support to individuals in all stages of change.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Case Management Support

• Acts as co-case manager alongside a CMHA staff and work collaboratively to complete case management duties as follows:

• Case Management Planning
• Assessments and Referrals
• Development of Individual Treatment Plans
• Support specific to life skills, daily living skills, conflict resolution, crisis intervention and prevention, budgeting assistance, community integration, etc.

Documentation

• Maintains up to date and accurate case notes, and act as an agent to the custodian for personal health records, as per the standards of the Personal Health Information Protection Act.

Assessment/ Crisis Planning and Support

• Creates a tangible substance use plan for all substance involved residents.
• Works collaboratively with CMHA staff on creation of a plan of care that will be utilized for residents in the program.
  
• Attends residents rooms on daily basis to encourage attendance in group/1:1s, etc.; physically view clients mental and physical state to determine a need for increased crisis support or if substance use is occurring.
  
• Books 1:1 with all substance involved clients at least weekly.

Education/ Skills Building

• Takes the lead in facilitating morning group.
• Provides psychoeducation rooted in best practices to staff and residents.
• Staff: once a month Addiction Specialist to provide psychoeducation to Safe Beds staff team on a topic the addiction specialist sees fit
• Residents: can be facilitated through regular 1:1s or group sessions

Programming

• Designs a curriculum outlining instructional material the programing will follow, which could include PowerPoint modules, worksheets and other sources of media.
• Facilitates programming in topics such as coping, triggers, stages of change, harm reduction, addiction and substance use education

ADAPT Program and Community Support outside of Safe Beds Program

• Assists client with continuing addictions goals when transitioning from the Safe Beds residential services to housing in the community;
• Continues to offer client counselling and case management support as needed post Safe Beds discharge;
• Provides support specific to life skills, daily living skills, conflict resolution, crisis intervention and prevention, budgeting assistance, community integration, etc.,
• Maintains a collaborative working relationship with housing partners;

Harm Reduction Supply distribution

• Distributes harm reduction supplies and educate/ counsel clients on safe use and harm reduction practices both within the Safe Beds program site and to ADAPT clients in the Community

EDUCATION

• University degree/ diploma in Social Work/ Social Service and/ or Health related field plus Addiction Studies certification, or equivalent combination of experience and education

LICENSES, CERTIFICATION AND CREDENTIALS

• Professional registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers an asset;
• GAINcertificate an asset;
• Non-violent crisis intervention, First Aid, CPR and ASIST certifications;

RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE

• At least 3 years working experience with clients 18 years of age and older in the area of addictions, and mental health; additionally, experience in transitional housing case management an asset;
• Experience in:

• Individual, family, and group therapy;
• Community development and networking;
• Record keeping and file management;
• Basic life skills counselling, supportive counselling, crisis intervention, advocacy, and group work;
• Managing clients with complex needs in varying stages of change;

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Broad knowledge of addictions treatments and explanatory theories (with an emphasis on harm-reduction), mental illness, and community resources isrequired;
• Ability to provide trauma-informed care isrequired;
• Ability to provide, or support the provision of, community withdrawal management services;
• Familiarity with community services and resources;
• Strong communication and active listening;
• Ability to: function independently, maintain effective working relationships with others, work effectively under pressure or deadlines and work outside regular office hours as required, use good judgement to make sound decisions;
• Interpersonal skills that require an attention to detail and rapport building with clients;
• Experienced sense and awareness of ethical boundaries and clinical reporting obligations;
• Ability to successfully deliver culturally responsive services
• Cultural knowledge of key populations in Halton Region that will be served to address disparities in specific services
• Ability to communicate and effectively interact with people across cultures, ranges of ability, genders, ethnicities, and races
• Knowledge of the history of discrimination in America, particularly as it relates to race and racism, and how this history has led to disparities experienced by marginalized communities such as BIPOC, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ communities, and others
• Must undergo police records check
• Knowledge of French language an asset

WORK CONDITIONS

Work conditions depend on the ADAPT and/ or Safe Beds model of operations, and may, but do not have to, include a combination of remote and in-person work arrangement

• Working at the Safe Beds location;
• Working remotely from home-office;
• Working in a busy office environment with frequent interruptions;
• Community: public places and partners facilities;
• Flexible hours;
• Manual dexterity required to use desktop computer and peripherals.
• Various physical actions of mobility are required (minimal lifting, sitting for periods of time, moderate wrist motions).

TRANSPORTATION

• To successfully fulfill duties of the role, current valid driver's licence and regular access to a dependable vehicle is required.

ABOUT US

ADAPT (Halton Alcohol Drug and Gambling Assessment Prevention and Treatment Services) is one of the largest and most diversified treatment agencies in Ontario. We offer a full spectrum of services to clients experiencing concerns with addictions, mental health or concurrent disorders, as well as to their families and loved ones.

At ADAPT we are committed to building a warm, inclusive, and diverse environment. We believe that our employees are our greatest asset; that they will do their best work when they feel supported and empowered. That is why we offer an attractive compensation and benefits package.

You may be a great candidate even if you dont have everything listed above. We believe in growth and curiosity. If you have some of these qualities and believe this is the position that will make you excited, then we want to hear from you!

At ADAPT, we strive to be an equitable and inclusive employer. Our commitment to equity is grounded in an institution-wide commitment to achieving a working, environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

ADAPT seeks candidates from First Nations, Mtis and Inuit, racialized and LGBTQ2S+ communities, women, and people with disabilities (including people who have experienced mental health and substance use challenges).

We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.

All new hires must be fully compliant with our COVID-19 Vaccination Policy as a condition of employment with ADAPT. Successful applicants will be required to provide proof of vaccination or proof of a documented medical exemption as part of the hiring process.

In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code, ADAPT will provide accommodations throughout the recruitment and selection process. If you require an accommodation, we will work with you to meet your accommodation needs to ensure your equal participation.

All personal information is collected under the authority of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

We thank all those who apply but only those individuals selected for further consideration will be contacted.