Addiction Counsellor I

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Providing information, supportive counselling and / or crisis intervention to clients on a walk-in or telephone call-in basis, within a team based environment;
• Providing motivational interviewing and / or referral to those clients in need of withdrawal management and early recovery services;
• Providing short-term, individual support to those clients presenting with barriers to treatment;
• Knowledge of current opioid issues including risks, overdose prevention and opioid replacement therapy;
• Providing groups specific to the development of life skills, relapse prevention and problem solving;
• Assessing clients presenting with suicidal ideation to match them with the most appropriate referral source and advocating on their behalf when necessary;
• Collaborating with Addiction Counsellors and other professionals within the Pinewood and Mental Health program, wider hospital programs, and community as required;
• Considering the need for medical clearance prior to admission to RWMS and for emergency assistance;
• Liaising with emergency medical and mental health services as well as pharmacies to coordinate client needs;
• Maintaining close observation and documentation of withdrawal symptoms, physical and emotional health status within a team based environment;
• Providing telephone Community Withdrawal Management Services;
• Providing discharge planning to RWMS clients during times when the Discharge Planner is not available;
• Contributing to clinical meetings, safety issues and workgroups;
• Being committed to ongoing professional development and clinical supervision;
• Compliance with Personal Protective Equipment use as required;
• Entering required data on computer programs;
• Compliance with Mental Health and Addiction standards and corporate policies of Lakeridge Health;
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS :

• Community College diploma in social sciences and, if recommended, registration with professional college, as regulated;
• Additional graduate certificate in Mental Health and Addictions preferred;
• Thorough working knowledge of withdrawal management protocols, models of addiction, concurrent disorders, motivational interviewing, pharmacology, risk and harm reduction, community withdrawal management;
• Experience in crisis intervention, suicide assessment and intervention techniques;
• Demonstrated experience with substance use populations;
• Well-developed counselling skills in both individual and group formats;
• Effective interpersonal, communication and organizational skills;
• Ability to work closely with others in a team environment, under clinically challenging situations
• Experience in applying counselling principles to practice;
• Ability to recognize and diffuse escalating or potentially violent clients;
• Knowledge of community resources and provincial addiction system;
• Commitment to client centered philosophy of care;
• Ability / willingness to use computer program catalyst and LEADS;
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to Lakeridge Health's comprehensive safety programs and practices including staff safety, patient safety and environmental safety and participation in regular in-service education sessions in this area;
• Demonstrated commitment to our core values of Inclusion, Compassion, Innovation, Teamwork and Joy;
• Proven good work performance; and,
• Proven good attendance record with ability to maintain the same.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The terms and conditions of employment are in accordance with the Collective Agreement between the Hospital and OPSEU Local 348.

Successful applicants must provide a satisfactory Criminal Investigation Reference for the vulnerable sector, dated within the past six (6) months.

Accommodation will be provided in all parts of the recruitment and assessment process in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) .

Applicants need to make their needs known in advance.

At Lakeridge Health we value inclusion and diversity. We are committed to fostering a culture that is respectful, inclusive and accessible and to employing a workforce that is representative of the diverse community we provide services to.

As an equal opportunity employer we welcome applications from all qualified applicants.

Lakeridge Health is committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment and to preventing the transmission of COVID 19 infections among Lakeridge Health team members and our patients.

New Lakeridge Health team members will be required to provide proof of full vaccination for COVID-19 during their Post-offer / Pre-employment Health Assessment, subject to any exemptions recognized under the Ontario Human Rights code.