Counsellor

Scope and Summary

of Primary Responsibilities

This position is focused on the provision of counselling intervention to clients accessing Vision Loss Rehabilitation Services. The role requires the ability to demonstrate professional ethics and practices expected of a counsellor, while offering a service that is responsive, confidential, client centred, and focused on adjusting to vision loss.

The role is positioned to enable clients to work towards and receive service provision offered by Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada. Where necessary, external referrals to other agencies are actioned.

II. Essential Functions

The position entails, but is not limited to the following general responsibilities:

· Provides high quality, professional, and confidential adjustment to vision loss counselling services to individuals with vision loss.

· Conducts an initial assessment or case history collection to establish counselling services that would be helpful to the client in their adjustment to vision loss.

· Provides information, advice, and guidance to ensure that clients continue to be supported throughout their sight loss journey.

· Evaluate the effectiveness of counselling programs and interventions, and clients' progress in their adjustment to vision loss.

· Where the client is a youth, working with parents to determine their specific needs related to their family situation and support required for the youth and caregiver/parent

· Develops a structured and agreed set of counselling sessions that will meet the needs of the client followed by a formal re-assessment and review of these plans with the client at a predetermined time. The client base may include the parents of a youth

· Documents at the level of required professional standard of a provider of counselling and meets the organizational reporting requirements.

· Encourages individual independence but acknowledges at times support is a necessary part of achieving this outcome and prepares clients for this transition.

· Utilizes the most appropriate method of counselling to meet the clients' individual needs and assist with achieving their outcomes.

· Responds appropriately and in a timely manner to crises situations, including assessing and addressing high-risk behaviors (I.e. self-harm or suicide).

· Provides professional and appropriate referrals to other internal and external programs/teams that will benefit the client.

· Communicates effectively and confidentially with colleagues and external organizations.

· Records all required data in data system in a timely manner, consistent with VLRC standards.

· Delivers services in keeping with VLRC’s standards and provides effective and timely management of caseload.

· Other duties as assigned.

Relationships

· Builds relationships and partnerships with external stakeholders, partners, including local groups/agencies.

· Provides appropriate support and consultation to individuals, clients, and their families.

· Contributes as part of multidisciplinary team.

· Works collaboratively with other agencies to ensure relationships and client needs are communicated and understood within ethical boundaries.

· Refers to other counselling agencies when individual requires services that are outside of the scope of the Vision Loss Rehabilitation counselling mandate.

Problem Solving/Time Frame of Impact

· Utilizes established business rules, service standards and practices, and ensures policy and procedures are followed in a timely fashion.

· Ability to creatively and quickly problem solve and respond to unique individual needs.

· Participates in service evaluation and program planning processes, as needed, to maintain and improve service outcomes.

Decision Autonomy

· Works under the general direction of national/divisional guidelines and standards but has latitude in making decisions on routine tasks.

· Consults with supervisor on issues that are more complex or may require upper-level approval.

· Exercises judgment and tact when working with individuals and knows when to elevate issues to the next level such as referring unusual client needs to appropriate person for service planning.

· Committed to maintaining privacy and confidentiality.

Leadership

· Takes initiative to keep abreast of new and changing community resources and VLRC policies & procedures.

· Participates in professional development activities and remains current with developments in a specialized field of study.

· Facilitates and enhances team efforts on a professional level and shares specialized knowledge, resources, experience, concepts, and skills.

Requirements

III. Qualifications

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

• Personal or professional experience relating to blindness and vision loss is considered an asset
• Bilingualism is an asset
• Well-developed interpersonal and communications skills, with emphasis on interviewing skills
• Self-directed, organized, and detail oriented
• Demonstration of a client-centered approach with commitment to excellent customer service
• Demonstration of sound interviewing skills, good judgment, and ability to work under pressure
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing
• Ability to work in a team environment and independently, with minimum supervision
• Proficient in use of both standard office software and specialized client management technology

Experience and Education

· Bachelor’s degree in counselling, therapy or mental health.

· Master’s degree in counselling is considered an asset.

• Minimum three years of experience working with individuals with a disability in a rehabilitation setting

· Lived experience or experience working with individuals with a disability in a rehabilitation or community setting.

Work Environment

· Willingness to work flexible hours.

• Provides services in a variety of locations, including the clients' homes, places of work, community locations, etc.

· Occasional travel may be required.

Benefits

At VLRC, your work has real impact. Join a team that empowers Canadians with vision loss to live independently, and where your growth, well-being, and contributions matter. We offer:

• Comprehensive benefits for health, vision, dental, corporate discounts employee and family assistance program
• Flexible work arrangements, generous paid time off, and work-life balance initiatives
• Career development through training, mentorship, and advancement opportunities
• Inclusive work culture with supportive teams, employee recognition, joy in work wellness program, and mental health supports

Join us to grow your career and make a difference everyday.

Inclusion, Accessibility & Accommodation
VLRC is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive, equitable, and accessible workplace. We welcome applications from members of groups that have been historically marginalized, including but not limited to Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, including those who are blind, partially sighted, or deafblind, women and 2SLGBTQ+. We strongly encourage applications from applicants with sight loss to apply. Direct lived experience is valued as an asset. The successful candidate will be required to complete a standard Vulnerable Sector Check.

If you require an accommodation to apply or participate in the selection process, please contact . We’ll be happy to work with you to meet your needs.

Not sure if you qualify? Think about applying anyway!
We understand that not everyone brings 100% of the skills and experience for the role. If you bring passion, transferable skills, and a desire to make a difference, we encourage you to apply!VLRC does not use AI tools in its screening, assessment, or selection process.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.