Addiction Counsellor I

at  Lakeridge Health

OPSEU

Addiction Counsellor I (x2)
Casual Part Time
Department - Addictions Withdrawal Mgt
Mental Health & Addictions
Days, Nights, Weekends - 8, 12 Hour Shifts (Subject to Change)
Lakeridge Health Pinewood Centre
Salary - $30.540 - $36.340 per hour

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Community College diploma in social sciences and, if recommended, registration with professional college, as regulated;
• Additional graduate certificate in Mental Health and Addictions preferred;
• Thorough working knowledge of withdrawal management protocols, models of addiction, concurrent disorders, motivational interviewing, pharmacology, risk and harm reduction, community withdrawal management;
• Experience in crisis intervention, suicide assessment and intervention techniques;
• Demonstrated experience with substance use populations;
• Well-developed counselling skills in both individual and group formats;
• Effective interpersonal, communication and organizational skills;
• Ability to work closely with others in a team environment, under clinically challenging situations
• Experience in applying counselling principles to practice;
• Ability to recognize and diffuse escalating or potentially violent clients;
• Knowledge of community resources and provincial addiction system;
• Commitment to client centered philosophy of care;
• Ability/willingness to use computer program catalyst and LEADS;
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to Lakeridge Health’s comprehensive safety programs and practices including staff safety, patient safety and environmental safety and participation in regular in-service education sessions in this area;
• Demonstrated commitment to our core values of Inclusion, Compassion, Innovation, Teamwork and Joy;
• Proven good work performance; and,
• Proven good attendance record with ability to maintain the same.

• Providing information, supportive counselling and/or crisis intervention to clients on a walk-in or telephone call-in basis, within a team based environment;
• Providing motivational interviewing and/or referral to those clients in need of withdrawal management and early recovery services;
• Providing short-term, individual support to those clients presenting with barriers to treatment;
• Knowledge of current opioid issues including risks, overdose prevention and opioid replacement therapy;
• Providing groups specific to the development of life skills, relapse prevention and problem solving;
• Assessing clients presenting with suicidal ideation to match them with the most appropriate referral source and advocating on their behalf when necessary;
• Collaborating with Addiction Counsellors and other professionals within the Pinewood and Mental Health program, wider hospital programs, and community as required;
• Considering the need for medical clearance prior to admission to RWMS and for emergency assistance;
• Liaising with emergency medical and mental health services as well as pharmacies to coordinate client needs;
• Maintaining close observation and documentation of withdrawal symptoms, physical and emotional health status within a team based environment;
• Providing telephone Community Withdrawal Management Services;
• Providing discharge planning to RWMS clients during times when the Discharge Planner is not available;
• Contributing to clinical meetings, safety issues and workgroups;
• Being committed to ongoing professional development and clinical supervision;
• Compliance with Personal Protective Equipment use as required;
• Entering required data on computer programs;
• Compliance with Mental Health and Addiction standards and corporate policies of Lakeridge Health;
• Other duties as assigned.