Purpose Provide direct professional addiction counselling to clients and family members. To provide and promote quality psycho-social needs of the clients and enable them to achieve their optimal level of health through counseling, education and use of appropriate resources.

Duties

• Provide advanced and/or specialized social work service and counseling to clients and/or their families either on an outpatient basis or for those clients entering the designated units.
• Interview clients individually, in the family context or in groups to determine and evaluate the client’s social, financial, psychological, cultural and family situation and total needs to provide a comprehensive assessment and treatment plan.
• Analyze findings of assessment to assist in developing a care plan with the appropriate referral source.
• Develop therapy practice(s) to assist in resolving complex problems related to substance abuse, problem gambling and concurrent disorders.
• Plan programs of assistance for clients including referral to agencies that provide financial assistance, medical treatment and other services
• Serve as a member of an interdisciplinary team of professionals working with client groups
• Provide consultation to members of hospital staff, community agencies and other persons or groups seeking guidance in an effort to address the problems of the clients
• Participate in In-Service programs regarding the social and emotional components of health/illness and their effects on patients and families, as assigned
• Maintain accurate client records and statistical reports as required
• Provide ongoing patient/family education and support
• Evaluate the effectiveness of counseling and social programs
• Provide public education and consultation to professionals or groups regarding counseling services, issues and methods
• Assuming other duties as may be assigned

Qualifications

• Masters of Social Work Degree or Masters of Counseling is required.
• Registration with an appropriate professional college.

Experience

• Experience in an addiction counseling setting with demonstrated expertise in a variety of evidence based individual and group therapies for substance abuse, problem gambling and concurrent disorders required.

Skill & Ability

• Demonstrated skills in providing therapeutic services with mental health and addictions client population required.
• Specialized skills in providing evidence based therapy including mindfulness based interventions, cognitive behavioral therapy, and/or trauma work is required.
• Knowledge of local and provincial resources is required.
• Demonstrated strong communication skills including the ability to relate well with others and adapt style as needed.
• Excellent writing skills including the ability to synthesize information into clear, concise messages both for detailed analytical reports and executive summaries.
• Ability to work under pressure and use good judgment in assessing difficult situations
• Ability to work as a team member and deal effectively with management, staff and physicians
• Excellence in problem solving techniques, conflict resolution skills, ability to work effectively on an interdisciplinary team and with the public
• Ability to take a system wide and novel approach to opportunities
• Demonstrated ability to maintain successful working relationships; ability to meet and deal with people in a pleasant, professional, responsible and reassuring manner, both in person and on the telephone; tact, courtesy and alertness in public contacts
• Demonstrated behaviour consistent with the Hospital’s mission statement and core values
• Proficiency in English and French preferred.

Note: Because of the changing nature of the work and work to be done, other responsibilities and duties may by assigned and qualifications may be adjusted from time to time.

Individuals will be selected on the basis of their ability, experience and qualifications as identified in the resume which they have attached to the posting application form. The Hospital reserves the right to conduct a formal interview and/or testing where required.