Who We Are

For more than 130 years, The Salvation Army has served people in need in communities across Canada and Bermuda. Building on our roots as a world-wide Christian church, each year we help more than 2 million people, providing necessities such as food, clothing and shelter. In addition, we support people experiencing unemployment, addiction and family challenges. We continually adapt and innovate to meet emerging needs and live out our mission, vision and values of hope, service, dignity and stewardship. As a faith- and values-based organization, we hire and serve people of all backgrounds and walks of life - there is a place for everyone to belong here.

Mission Statement

The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

Job Description:

Position Purpose summary:

The Intake Counsellor / Caseworker is responsible for the intake, initial counselling, and casework processes for clients in Harbour Light’s Treatment program. They interview and screen potential clients, determine client suitability, and support clients through the intake process. They perform initial assessments and provide individual and/or group counselling to clients during the pre-treatment phase of the Treatment program. They support casework, relapse prevention, and discharge planning for all clients, including referrals to other services. They provide counselling support and facilitate recovery activities for all clients. They contribute to regular and special program activities, development, and evaluation, as a collaborative member of the Treatment team.

Accountabilities:

Intake & Counselling

• Engage with clients in a trauma informed, ethical and collaborative way

• Performs all aspects of the intake process, following standard procedures

• Screens potential clients according to program requirements, makes intake decisions, and reviews complex applications with the Assistant Manager of Treatment Program.

• Coordinates intake with the counselling team; attends case management meetings to report on new intakes.

• Keeps detailed records of intake processes, and decisions, and prepares case histories for all incoming clients/residents.

• Prepares a relapse prevention and exit plan in collaboration with the client

• Conducts comprehensive program orientation for all clients/residents; room assignments, linen distribution, outline client handbook and assessment kit, and taking of client photo.

• Acts as a support and point of contact for all treatment clients

• May assist as a relief counsellor (non-clinical)

• Intervenes in crisis situations, provides emotional support and advocacy as required

• Monitors the waitlist and ensures that the TX beds are full.

• Liaises with external agencies regarding treatment referrals.

Casework

• Identifies, liaises, and networks with referral sources, community resources, and other external agencies as needed (e.g. social assistance, funders, police, parole, urgent situations)
• Assists clients to access external services such as communicating with community and government agencies on behalf of the client(s), assisting or advocating where necessary to help clients access the services or resources they require, e.g. identification, housing referrals, employment resources
• Works with Treatment team to implement case management of assigned clients/residents;
• Assists clients/residents in establishing goals, monitoring progress, and prepares discharge plan
• Develops, implements, and documents case plans as it pertains to each individuals’ goals and objectives; document client progress and interactions, incidents and other required information.
• Encourage ongoing engagement with the case plan.
• Monitors and ensures the safety of clients and the facility by performing duties such as screening clients, admission/discharge of clients.
• Participates as a team member with other staff to ensure a safe and caring environment by performing duties such as responding to crisis/emergency issues and supporting others through methods such as sharing knowledge and information.
• Supports clients in identifying and reducing barriers to recovery, and becoming program-ready by creating plans to manage healthcare, legal, financial, and family caregiving responsibilities
• Ensure program participants’ movements are restricted to their department and approved areas only.

Documentation & Reporting

• Documentation is an essential component of Harbour Light’s Treatment Program.
• Maintains all documentation to industry best practices and TSA standards
• Must complete intake documentation, ongoing case notes, and maintain each client’s personal file as per Harbour Light Policy.
• Maintain client interaction and session notes in provided, secure database; notes include but are not limited to behavioural concerns, weekend/late passes, medication changes
• Prepares of comprehensive reports for billing that are submitted to finance.
• Coordinates client room assignments and room changes; maintains and sends client room lists to Harbour Light departments.
• Creates discharge reports.
• Create CRF progress reports as per policy.
• Maintains statistical information as required.
• Develops surveys, stats, reports for the funding agency; assists with creating and maintaining other internal and external reporting requirements as required.

Administrative & Inter-departmental Co-operation

• Maintains respectful & ethical relationships with clients and colleagues, in accordance with TSA policies and professional standards
• Participate in clinical supervision meetings, as an individual and member of the team
• May assist in providing orientation to new employees or students by performing duties such as familiarizing individuals with the policies and procedures or equipment of the facility and/or work area and demonstrating work procedures.
• Supervise practicum students.
• Participate in the yearly client focused events: Client Christmas Party (usually early December) and summer baseball tournament(s).
• In rotation with other staff, dispense medications to clients as per policy.
• Maintains medication records and liaisons with the pharmacy as needed.
• Ensure that confidentiality of all information regarding clients is maintained. Have knowledge of the “Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.”
• Ensure that assistance is given to the client in accessing any outside resources (MHR, EI, clergy, support groups, Community Advocate etc.).
• Attends in-service and staff development programs as approved by Executive Director/Director, Operations & Residential Services.
• Attendance is compulsory at all General Staff Meetings, Case Review, and devotional/reflections services during normal working hours etc. as scheduled.
• Maintains a current knowledge of and complies with all facility policies and procedures. This would include, but is not exclusive to, The Salvation Army Standards & Review procedures.
• Works closely with and co-operates in a courteous, respectful manner with other staff, volunteers, visitors & clients.
• Ensure that information, even of a confidential nature, is passed on to the Treatment Program Manager, Director of Residential Programs, or Executive Director if it might endanger or seriously affect another person or the safety of the building.
• Ensure that all legitimate requests to assist by colleagues is considered and acted upon.
• Ensure that requests to Counsellors by individuals or outside agencies for information or presentation on Harbour Light are communicated to the Treatment Program Manager, Director of Residential Programs, or Executive Director.

Performs other duties as assigned

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• The performance of the job requires a moderate amount of keyboarding/manual record keeping, and occasionally lifting/packing clients/resident’s property/personal effects.
• The Intake Counsellor / Caseworker Treatment program works closely with adults seeking recovery from substance use, typically in an office and/or classroom setting in a residential social services facility.
• Candidates must be comfortable with working in Vancouver’s downtown eastside – our facilities are on the 100-block of East Cordova and the 100-block of East Hastings, between Columbia and Main. They will work primarily in our Cordova St location, but occasionally need to visit our Hastings location or within the neighbourhood. Our programs include community meals, 24-hour and overnight shelters, residential addiction treatment, a halfway house for men on parole, low-income housing, and other services.
• This position requires strong concentration, including attentive listening skills and observation of body language, continuously monitoring the environment, multitasking, data entry, and record keeping.
• During some working hours, the Intake Counsellor / Caseworker may be working alone in the program space but is never alone in the facility. During these hours, the worker must carry a radio and wear a panic button.
• This role works with clients experiencing heightened emotions or in crisis. They may experience verbal abuse from time-to-time. They may be exposed to vicarious trauma.
• Staff may be at risk of physical attacks (e.g. violent/aggressive client acting out physically), exposure to infectious diseases, sharp objects, and/or emergency situations.
• The Intake Counsellor / Caseworker must follow precautionary measures and all health & safety policies, including but not limited to:
  • Universal precautions
  • WHMIS, Mental Health First Aid, and Non-violent Crisis Intervention training
  • Proof of immunization for Hepatitis B and Tuberculosis; proof of TB testing (licensing requirement); proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (Provincial Health Order requirement)
• The Intake Counsellor / Caseworker is responsible for their own time and effort only. They may demonstrate work methods to new employees, volunteers and/or students.
• This position requires minimal local travel, such as program activities, community events, and off-site training.

**HOURS OF WORK:**The Intake/Caseworker works Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:00pm as needed. The normal workday is comprised of 7.5 paid hours and 0.5 hours unpaid lunch break per day. The Intake/Caseworker will occasionally be requested, in advance, to work a modified schedule with evening and/or weekend hours to accommodate program/client special events.

The above responsibilities must be performed in keeping with The Salvation Army’s Mission, Vision and Values, in a professional manner, upholding our code of conduct.

Education and Experience Qualifications:

Education, Qualifications and Certifications:

• The Counsellor will hold a minimum of two (2) years of community college in a counselling or social work field.*

• The ideal candidate will be a member in good standing with a Canadian counselling certification body, holding a designation such as ICADC, RCC, RPC, RSW, MSW, or equivalent.* -Criminal Record Review Programclearance to work with vulnerable adults

• Ability to receive enhanced federal reliability status to work with federal correctional clients

• Current Certification or willingness to obtain certification in:

  • First Aid/CPR
  • Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (or equivalent)
  • Mental Health First Aid
  • Naloxone Training/Overdose response

• Documentation confirming compliance with the Province’s immunization and tuberculosis control program, perResidential Care Regulations

• Proof of COVID vaccination, as required by the current version of the “Hospital and Community (Health Care And Other Services) Covid-19 Vaccination Status Information And Preventive Measures”Provincial Health Order

• As per the collective agreement, the Counsellor wage rate is determined by level of education/certification.

Experience and Skilled Knowledge Requirements

• At least one (1) year frontline casework or counselling experience in recovery-focused substance use or related setting, including facilitation and group therapy
• At least one (1) year experience in a direct service (frontline) role serving men and women clients
• Knowledge of evidence-based, trauma-informed practices in addictions treatment, the principles of recovery, and motivational interviewing
• Demonstrated ability to provide care that acknowledges diverse social, psychological, and cultural needs
• Demonstrated ability to provide culturally safe care; completion of Indigenous Cultural Safety Training is an asset
• Experience in a community care licensed facility is an asset
• Lived experience is an asset

Skills and Capabilities:

• Clear understanding of the needs, strengths, challenges, and opportunities for marginalized population in the DTES, including substance use, mental health, homelessness, and gender-based violence
• Demonstrated ability to provide a healthy, safe, non-judgmental space for clients accessing social services and/or residential care, particularly in programs serving women/female-identifying clients
• Demonstrated comfort and skill working with diverse populations
• Strong interpersonal skills, including conflict resolution skills
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally in writing and verbally in English
• Strong sense of integrity and confidentiality with professional ethics and a balanced sense of fairness and flexibility
• Strategic thinking and planning, creative and collaborative problem solving
• Clear, consistent, and values-oriented decision-making
• Strong skills in Windows, Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and client database systems
• Experience with CAMS (Case Administration Management System) or other client database is an asset

Compensation:

The target hiring range for this position is $30.35 to $34.53 with a maximum of $38.71.

Placement in the salary range will be based on factors such as market conditions, internal equity, and candidate experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role.

The Salvation Army will provide reasonable accommodation upon request. Please email

Recruitment.Accommodations@salvationarmy.ca

if you have a need for any accommodation and we will be pleased to discuss this with you.