Community Support Counselor

POSITION SUMMARY :

The Community Support Counselor participates as a member of a multidisciplinary team to provide crisis intervention treatment, rehabilitation, addiction counseling and support services to persons with severe and persistent mental illness, allowing them to live successfully in the community by demonstrating best practice competencies in psychosocial rehabilitation. The Community Support Counselor is a primary resource to the team regarding assessments, interventions and programming. The Community Support Counselor provides case management services for a set of assigned clients and contributes to all team services of rehabilitation, treatment and support.

QUALIFICATIONS :

• Post secondary education (BA in Psychology, Sociology or relevant discipline) or Minimum of two year community college diploma in human services or relevant discipline
• Experience working with individuals with concurrent disorders is required
• 1-2 years experience working with individuals with chronic and persistent mental illness
• Strong knowledge of harm reduction principals
• Knowledge of the Brant region and Six Nations Territory would be considered an asset
• Experience in administering the Standardized Assessment Tools (MSE, ATR, C-SSRS Screener, etc.)
• Excellent assessment, crisis intervention, problem solving and organizational skills
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and organizational skills and demonstrated ability to function effectively in a team
• Demonstrated ability to be flexible and accountable in work assignments
• Demonstrated commitment to personal professional development
• Sound knowledge and understanding of systems issues, legislation, Mental Health Reform and patient entitlements for the seriously mentally ill
• Good family counseling skills and experience with dysfunctional family systems
• Demonstrated best practice competencies in psychosocial rehabilitation
• Basic understanding of psychotropic medications and their adverse effects
• Knowledge of housing, social, financial, vocational and other community resources
• Good working knowledge of the ACT Model is essential
• Ability to work effectively under pressure
• Working knowledge of MS Word, Excel, Outlook, Clinical Connect, Dovetale, etc.
• A valid driver’s license, cell phone and use of a vehicle with relevant insurance to transport clients
• Sound knowledge of serious and persistent major mental illness symptoms and impact on functioning
• Willing to support clients with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and / or Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) including but not limited to : assisting / supporting with housekeeping, shopping, prompting for personal hygiene, environmental cleanup, budgeting / financial management, etc.
• Good attendance and work record are essential

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