Position Summary Under the supervision of the Supervisor, Health Promotion and Outreach, the Social Prescribing Counsellor provides crisis and brief intervention services, information, assessment and referral to clients identified by social prescribing physician partners.

Principal Responsibilities And Duties This position builds capacity in health promotion and prevention activities. Using a lens of the Social Determinants of Health, this role collaborates with residents, Primary Care partners, and others to support initiatives that promote well-being, prevent illness and enhance access to resources.

Recognizing the challenges of our rural geography, this is a mobile role, with capacity to offer programming in local medical clinics, at WOCRC and in rural community settings .

Service Coordination And Referral Support Provide Direct Service

• Provide initial contact to new clients of the WOCRC, establish rapport, assist in identifying needs and provide information about services;
• Make and follows up on referrals to health and social services, ensuring seamless access to appropriate supports;
• Provide support to clients - referred by a health provider - in clinics, at WOCRC or in community settings by connecting them to programs or services that holistically support their health and wellbeing across the social determinants of health;
• Connect clients with appropriate internal and community resources;
• Assist clients in accessing desired basic need services, such as child care, transportation, etc;
• Connect individuals and families to learning opportunities, such as city-wide training sessions, community conversations, and wraparound services;
• Assess level of risk and provide follow-up as required;
• Facilitate education and support groups as required;
• Provide crisis intervention services through telephone contacts and on a walk-in basis; and
• Provide brief intervention counselling using evidence-based techniques;

Advocate on behalf of clients

• Participate in advocacy and coordination committees about services available, gaps in services, and issues affecting individuals, couples and families;
• Promote participation of clients and community in general, in activities designed to educate and/or advocate for prevention.

Partnership Development and Collaboration

• Act as a consultant to colleagues, agencies and the community regarding crisis services in the Ottawa area;
• Respond to community requests for information or presentations;
• Serve as a staff resource for training and development;
• Participate as a staff member in public relations and fundraising events, as requested.

Ensure coordination of policy and service

• Participate as a direct intervention team member at internal and external meetings;
• Advocate for coordinated planning of services;
• Establish and maintain links with community groups and agencies to facilitate referrals and positive working relationships;
• Coordinate inter-agency referrals.

Serve as a staff resource for training and development

• Offer in-service training to colleagues;
• Provide training to community groups;
• Provide support and training to students as required;
• Provide support and training to volunteers as required. [AN3]

Ensure evaluation of service

• Participate in WOCRC evaluation processes;
• Prepare and maintain all necessary documentation and statistics related to intake and counselling activities on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis.

Other All WOCRC employees have some fundamental responsibilities that go beyond the confines of their occupations. These include:

• Ensuring that the commitment to diversity is understood and respected.
• Working in a manner that incorporates health promotion and recognizes the determinants of health
• Maintaining up-to-date professional skills and knowledge through formal and informal training;
• Acting as an “ambassador” for WOCRC within and outside the Centre by creating an awareness of WOCRC programs and promoting services offered;
• Compliance with all mandated legal/regulatory requirements related to working at WOCRC (Employment Standards Act, Occupational Health and Safety, standards of professional conduct);
• Maintaining awareness of and compliance with WOCRC policies and procedures;
• Maintaining awareness of and compliance with funder requirements, policies,
• procedures and regulations;
• Working in a manner that preserves confidentiality and seeks to minimize risk in keeping with Privacy and Confidentiality Policies and Procedures.
• Supporting the Centre’s student and volunteer placement programs.
• Working during both regular and extended hours of operation in locations identified by the Centre.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications Education and Experience

• Bachelor of Social Work or equivalent in education and training;
• Two-year pertinent experience in direct service, crisis intervention and brief therapy.
• Obtain and maintain membership in CRPO or the college of Social Workers.
• Demonstrated commitment to and knowledge of community-based model of intervention and health equity principles;
• Demonstrated ability to co-create and refine approaches to emerging community needs
• Proven ability to develop, nurture, and sustain strategic partnerships with community organizations, including collaborating on initiatives that advance organizational objectives and strengthen community impact.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
• Experience working with Healthcare Professionals preferred
• Knowledge of the Child and Family Services Act;
• Knowledge of the Mental Health Act;
• Knowledge of social services delivery in Ottawa;
• Excellent assessment skills;
• Strong organizational and communication skills;
• Strong public speaking and popular education skills;
• Multitasking abilities;
• Demonstrated commitment to anti-racist/anti-oppression principles;
• Ability to work well autonomously, as well as in a team environment.

Languages

• Ability to communicate fluently in English, spoken and written mandatory;
• Ability to communicate fluently in French, spoken and written, an asset.

Computer Competencies

• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office suite of products
• Familiarity with Data Management Systems
• Clinical note taking and documentation

Join Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre and be part of a passionate team dedicated to improving lives, while making a tangible impact on your community.

The WOCRC values the diversity of its employees and the knowledge, skills and contributions that each brings to the organization. Our work is meaningful, fulfilling, and can be demanding, so we are committed to offering our staff compensation that is fair and competitive for our industry along with a comprehensive suite of benefits to support staff health, wellness, and financial security. Subject to status of position, we offer, generous paid time off policies, including 4-weeks annual vacation, 3-weeks annual sick leave, salary top-up plans, a superb Employee Assistance Program, Health, Dental and Disability Insurance, a world-class Pension Plan (HOOPP), discounted gym memberships and a flexible, supportive work environment, we believe in providing what staff need to thrive, grow, and feel connected and included in our mission.

WOCRC has an accommodation process in place that provides accommodations for employees with disabilities. If you require a specific accommodation because of a disability or a medical need, please do not hesitate to let us know how we can best accommodate you. We are an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are based on business and job requirements. All qualified applicants will receive considerations for employment based on individual qualifications, without regard to age, ancestry, colour, race, citizenship, ethnic origin, place of origin, creed, disability, family status (including single status), gender identity, gender expression, record of offences (in employment only), sex (including pregnancy and breastfeeding), sexual orientation or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in Ontario. This is a unionized position. Terms and conditions of employment, including compensation and benefits, are governed by CUPE Local 5530's Collective Agreement.