Mental Health And Addictions Counsellor

Marillac Place offers housing to women who are pregnant, have children under the age of two or are attempting to regain care of their child. Marillac Place can accommodate children up to the age of two years of age. Residence is permitted for up to 364 days.

Marillac Place provides new mothers and mothers-to-be facing homelessness in Waterloo Region by providing a safe living environment, support in parenting and life skills and developing supportive relationships.

Our vision is every mother and child facing homelessness in Waterloo Region has the opportunity to recover and rebuild to ensure a successful future.

The Mental Health and Addictions Counsellor position will be responsible to provide support, counselling, and coaching based on a support plan developed with participants as they work to strengthen their wellbeing and Mental Health. Counsellors will create individualized treatment plans with participants to address their goals. Professional registration, in good standing, is required (OCSWSSW, CRPO).

Marillac Place employees are expected to demonstrate respect, empathy and accountability to the people who access our services.

This is a full-time, permanent, salaried position with personal time off, vacation and group health benefits. This role offers 36 hours per week. Primarily Tuesday to Saturday 11am to 6pm and will be required to rotate with the staff team to provide on-call/on-site support.

Key Responsibilities:

• Substance use assessments and program screening, intake, completion, discharge and referral
• Develop treatment plan collaboratively with participant, monitor and evaluate participant progress
• Develop and implement psycho educational programming.
• Individual delivered both in person
• Case management including case consultation, treatment planning and working collaboratively with external and internal partners
• Assess complex situations and make appropriate decisions independently and as part of a team including crisis intervention, risk assessment and safety planning.
• Establish strong, therapeutic rapport and maintain appropriate professional relationships
• Complete documentation and data entry in accordance with agency and legislative requirements
• Maintain confidentiality in compliance with Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA)
• Participation and involvement in other programs, Addiction Services and broader agency activities
• Work as part of a team including attending the team meetings and regular supervision meetings
• Coach the staff on supporting participants dealing with addiction and Mental Health issues and work as a team to develop wrap around treatment plans.
• Enroll in required training within 3 months of employment (i.e., Food Safety Training).
• Support onboarding and training of new team members
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and training
• Utilize Motivational Interviewing skills and support participants in exploring their thoughts and feelings.
• Support and advise on healthy coping mechanisms.
• Provide trauma informed therapeutic approaches and interventions.
• Support staff in ensuring residential setting meets Health and safety (light housekeeping).

Requirements include:

• University degree in social work or counselling or a related field from an accredited university.
• Professional registration, in good standing, as either a Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) or a Psychotherapist (including qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)
• Minimum 1 year experience in an addiction and/or counselling setting
• Knowledge of substances, problematic substance use, recovery issues and evidence informed practices and clinical treatment modalities
• Proficient in MS Suite.
• Significant experience in a similar setting working with women and families experiencing homelessness, substance use disorders, Mental Health issues.
• Experience in the treatment of addictions, Mental Health disorders and motivational interviewing.
• Possess the ability to perform independently without supervision.
• Understanding of multi-cultural communities and values diversity.
• Hold a current certificate in First Aid and CPR and WHIMIS.
• Able to provide a recent vulnerable sector criminal reference check (within 3 months).
• Vaccine verification – as a condition of employment you are required to provide confirmation that you have been vaccinated against COVID-19 or have proof of valid exemption satisfactory to the employer or will be required to submit written proof verifying medical exemption and agree to rapid testing.

In support of the staff and participants, Marillac Place has an immunization requirement for all employees, including COVID-19. The successful candidate will be made an offer on the condition of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The requirement to be fully vaccinated is subject to the Ontario Human Rights Code. If the candidate is unable to vaccinate for a reason protected by the Code, they will be required to provide to submit written proof verifying the medical reason or by submitting a request under the Ontario Human Rights Code and agree to regular rapid testing. When documentation has been received and approved Marillac place will provide accommodation up to the point of undue hardship in compliance with the Code and may follow up to receive further information and or documentation as required.

Working Conditions

• 36 hours per week

• Primarily Tuesday to Saturday 11am to 7pm.
• Required to participate in a on-call rotation with the staff team to provide on-call/on-site support as required.
• Required to work intensively with program participants in stressful situations
• Required to assess situations and make decisions under pressure with minimal supervision or working alone
• Encountering participants who may be under the influence of alcohol and other drugs and/or experiencing symptoms of mental illness can be expected

We strive to remove barriers that may prevent qualified applicants from fully participating in the recruitment and selection process. Accommodation in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and other applicable legislation is available throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process. Accommodations will be provided upon request.

Rate of pay range: $28.30 to $35.69 (depending on experience)

Marillac Place is committed to equity for all and to delivering the highest quality service through a qualified workforce that reflects diversity of the communities we serve. Upon request, we will provide reasonable accommodation in the hiring process to support applicants.

We thank all applicants. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: $28.30-$35.69 per hour

Expected hours: 36 per week

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Dental care
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Flexible schedule
• On-site parking
• Paid time off
• RRSP match
• Vision care

Flexible Language Requirement:

• French not required

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Every Weekend
• On call

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree (required)

Work Location: In person