Academic Social Worker

at  Evoke Learning

ACADEMIC SOCIAL WORKER (REMOTE)

Evoke Learning is seeking an experienced academic social worker specializing in integrative support for students facing academic challenges resulting from executive dysfunction or/and ADHD, to join our team on a part-time, independent contractor basis.
The academic social worker plays a crucial role in helping high school and postsecondary students overcome their challenges and reach their full potential by addressing the disorder’s symptoms and supporting them in shifting from frustration to empowerment. This role is a unique hybrid model that combines the principles of CBT and the elements of ADHD and EF coaching to help foster the development of time management, organizational, and planning skills in students with ADHD and executive dysfunction.
In this role, the academic social worker brings expertise in the principles and strategies of CBT and a strong understanding of ADHD and executive dysfunction to their work with students. The academic social worker has a well-informed understanding of how CBT can target executive dysfunction, overcome emotional obstacles, and build essential skills.

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

• A master’s degree in social work, psychotherapy, psychology, counselling psychology, or a related field.
• ICF-certified coaching training and/or certification is a significant asset.
• At least two years’ experience in a similar student service or advising role within a diverse secondary and/or postsecondary context.
• Relevant experience in a mental health and/or education setting is preferred.
• CBT certificate recognized by the Canadian Association of Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies (CACBT).
• An active member of the CACBT-ACTCC.
• A registered member in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.
• Practitioners are required to hold current liability insurance.
  Hours: A minimum commitment of six hours per week over a minimum of three different days of the week, including after school, evenings, and possibly weekends.
  This is a remote, independent contracted position. Independent contractors are responsible for providing tools and equipment (i.e., laptop, mobile device, webcam, headphones, etc.) and creating schedules. Evoke does not provide in-home services to clients. All services are delivered virtually.
  Successful candidates will need to complete a background check and submit references. The salary range for this position is $63-$69 per client hour.
  At Evoke, we value diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all our clients, contractors, and employees. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals and will consider all applicants for employment without discrimination based on race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or other legally protected factors.
  To apply for this position, please submit a cover letter and resume. In your cover letter, please provide details on your qualifications, experience working with diverse populations, and availability to work at least six hours a week, three days a week, including after school, evenings, and possibly weekends. We appreciate every applicant’s interest; however, we contact only those selected for an interview.
  Job Type: Freelance
  Pay: $63.00-$69.00 per hour
  Expected hours: 6 – 25 per week

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Flexible schedule
• Work from home

Application question(s):

• Do you have formal training (at least 40 hours) and certification in CBT?
• Do you have expertise in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in the context of managing ADHD and executive function deficits in students?
• Are you proficient and comfortable using educational technology?
• Are you available to commit to a one-year contract?
• Do you have experience counselling, mentoring, and/or delivering programming and/or curricula to youth and young adults with ADHD or executive dysfunction?
• Are you a registered social worker or psychotherapist in Ontario?
• Do you have a well-informed understanding of how CBT can target executive dysfunction, overcome emotional obstacles, and build essential skills?

Education:

• Master’s Degree (required)

Work Location: Remot

Executive Functioning and Skill Development:

• Using cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) approaches, along with other evidence-based strategies, to address the executive functioning deficits regularly seen in students with ADHD and executive dysfunction. This includes aiding them in essential skills like time management, organization, planning, emotional regulation, motivation, and activation

Skill Application:

• Assisting students in understanding, planning, and breaking down their assignments into manageable steps.
• Helping students initiate assignments and set actionable, realistic personal, behavioural, and academic goals based on their learning plans

THE ROLE

As an academic social worker, you will empower high school (Grades 9-12) and postsecondary students to set and reach personal and academic goals. Using cognitive-behavioural techniques, you will assist in overcoming barriers to success by:

• Labelling and addressing cognitive distortions and emotional obstacles.
• Teaching evidence-based strategies for helping students with ADHD and executive dysfunction build essential skills for time management, prioritizing work, sustaining motivation, time management, and organization.
• Helping students to challenge and correct automatic thoughts and manage emotional distracters.
• Addressing the principal executive function deficits that characterize ADHD and help students to manage their disorder more effectively.
• Encouraging students to commit to growth.

This virtual, one-on-one role is pivotal in fostering a supportive environment to mitigate ADHD symptoms, enhance self-regulation, executive functioning, learning skills, and ultimately, academic performance and well-being.
The role requires a reliable and professional individual who can work independently and demonstrate excellent judgement, initiative, patience, organization, strong English communication skills, and theory of mind.

CONTRACT DUTIES AND DELIVERABLES INCLUDE:

Executive Functioning and Skill Development:

• Using cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) approaches, along with other evidence-based strategies, to address the executive functioning deficits regularly seen in students with ADHD and executive dysfunction. This includes aiding them in essential skills like time management, organization, planning, emotional regulation, motivation, and activation.

Understanding Challenges:

• Assisting students in comprehending the nature of their challenges, including how emotions affect efficiency, self-criticism, avoidance patterns, and other barriers.

Skill Application:

• Assisting students in understanding, planning, and breaking down their assignments into manageable steps.
• Helping students initiate assignments and set actionable, realistic personal, behavioural, and academic goals based on their learning plans.

Cognitive Reframing:

• Guiding students to recognize and change their distorted thoughts, replacing them with realistic thinking. This includes aiding them in adopting helpful mantras, like “If it’s not in the planner, it doesn’t exist,” to promote positive thought patterns.

Addressing Emotional Challenges:

• Assisting students in addressing daily social-emotional challenges such as procrastination, motivation, and task avoidance.

Growth and Empowerment:

• Promoting the development of student confidence, self-esteem, and self-efficacy.
• Equipping students with knowledge and usage of assistive technology.
• Encouraging and guiding students in developing self-advocacy skills.

Monitoring and Reporting:

• Proactively tracking student academic progress using Evoke progress tools and keeping stakeholders like parents and Evoke informed.
• Ensuring maintenance of accurate, detailed, and current records of student sessions, which include outcomes, growth, progress, feedback, and performance, while also ensuring confidentiality.

Collaboration with Evoke:

• Preparing as required for student sessions.
• Taking responsibility for personal scheduling, including booking and modifying sessions with Evoke clients via Evoke’s Jane App
• Actively collaborate with Evoke to support student needs and participate in orientation to understand Evoke materials and any new content.