At House of Friendship, we believe in what we are doing. We get out of bed each day to make a difference in our community; to walk with and to serve. We are not happy with the status quo. We get energy from ongoing learning and growth. We lead with passion and believe without a doubt that everyone deserves to belong and thrive. We live and breathe our values of Compassion, Inclusion, Justice, Dignity and Hope. And we have fun!
Sounds pretty great, doesn’t it? It is!
We are looking for individuals committed to strength-based, person focused care to join our team as an Addiction Counsellor. The successful candidate will work as part of the Addictions Services staff treatment team.
Addiction Counsellors work intensively with program participants, meeting with participants in the office, via phone or videoconferencing. Counsellors are required to assess complex situations and make appropriate decisions under pressure with minimal supervision.
Community Counselling is a community-based addiction treatment program providing individual and group counselling. Counsellors will conduct intake, assessment, referral and treatment planning. Counsellors will create individualized treatment plans with participants to address their goals.

JOB SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:

• Sensitivity to and knowledge of issues relating to and impacting on all genders and all marginalized populations
• Commitment to stage matched, strengths based, person-centred quality psychotherapy services
• Knowledge of and training in substance use including associated health risks
• Knowledge of community resources and provincial addiction treatment services
• Demonstrated capacity for accurate and efficient documentation and computer data entry
• Demonstrated ability to calmly problem-solve in a fast-paced, sometimes stressful environment
• Strong communication and listening skills
• Ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team
• Ability to accept and apply feedback and take initiative
• Experience working within a non-profit and/or social services environment
• Commitment to work with and support training of students, volunteers and new employees as required
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and training
• Ability to accept and apply feedback and take initiative
• Group facilitation and management skills

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• University Degree in Counselling, Social Work or a Related Field of Study
• Professional registration, in good standing, as either a Social Worker or Social Services 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
• Demonstrated understanding of working with individuals experiencing concurrent disorders
• Knowledge and understanding of the complexities of substances, problematic substance use and recovery oriented interventions, evidence informed practices and clinical treatment modalities required

CRITICAL SKILLS:

• Commitment to understand and uphold the mission and values of House of Friendship is expected
• Exemplary emotional intelligence, resilience, communication, conflict management and problem solving skills required
• Ability to work professionally as a team member with staff, participants and community members
• Experience or strong interest in working with diverse populations including people from various cultural backgrounds, income levels, and sensitivity to their needs
• Experience with and commitment to using an anti-racism, anti-oppressive and trauma informed approach to consultation, program design, evaluations of processes and service delivery
• Demonstrated ability to create and maintain a positive work environment including the ability to navigate change in a positive and productive manner
• Must be dependable, professional, flexible, a team player, and have a positive attitude
• Respectful, supportive and engaging approach to persons with physical and/or cognitive disabilities, addictions, mental illness and other life challenges
• Excellent project, timeline and deadline management skills including skills in logistics, planning and detailed record keeping

• Substance use assessments and program screening, intake, completion, discharge and referral
• Develop treatment plan collaboratively with participant, monitor and evaluate participant progress
• Develop accommodation plans for participants as needed
• Develop and implement evidence-based programming including creating and promoting specialized workshops that address the needs of the community
• Individual and group counselling delivered both in person and virtually using an eclectic therapeutic approach
• 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, trainings and regular supervision meetings
• Support onboarding and training of new team members
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and training