Addictions Counsellor 2

at  Addiction Services Central Ontario

ADDICTIONS COUNSELLOR 2 – UMBRELLAS PROGRAM AND

Supporting other teams, programs and services as required
Addiction Services Central Ontario (ASCO) is a charitable, community-based addiction services organization with its main office located in Aurora, Ontario and provides programs and services in York Region, South Simcoe and some parts of Toronto. To better reflect the people and communities we serve, our name has changed from Addiction Services for York Region to Addiction Services Central Ontario. Be sure to visit our website: https://helpwithaddictions.ca.
ASCO unites to offer hope and promote recovery through outstanding service and innovation. Addiction Services Central Ontario takes pride in its passion for client service. Each day presents new opportunities to demonstrate leadership and expertise in addictions to the community. ASCO embraces a holistic, biological, psychological, social and spiritual approach to addiction. A holistic approach places the person at the centre. The agency uses a harm reduction approach in addiction treatment and equally respects individuals who choose abstinence or harm reduction. ASCO’s four strategic priorities are: Organizational Excellence, Building Awareness, Service Expansion and Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations.
Addiction Services Central Ontario is seeking an experienced, highly motivated and energetic individual to work as an Addictions Counsellor 2 within our Umbrellas program. This position will be supporting other teams, programs and services within ASCO as required.
The Umbrellas Program is designed to support women aged 16 or older, who are pregnant and/or parenting young children ages 0-10. This program is for women who identify with a present substance use/gambling concern, or who may have past substance use concerns and are looking for support to maintain their recovery goals and reduce the risk of relapse. We strive to work from a collaborative approach with our community partners and referring agencies to support the women, children and family unit. We believe in working from a strengths-based approach, and pride ourselves in working from a trauma informed, culturally sensitive, inclusive, and anti-oppression framework. The Umbrellas Program is a wrap-around service. We have a team of staff who have various areas of training and specialization in order to support our clients with their identified needs.
With ASCO’s current increase of in-person services, this position will be based in the Aurora office location, as well as other satellite office locations and clinics including York Region, North York and South Simcoe, reporting to the Assigned Supervisor. The incumbent will provide direct service to an assigned caseload of clients presenting with addictions and/or mental health concerns and their families in accordance with the agency’s guidelines.
ASCO is required to follow all public health and provincial directives as well as of those of our Ontario Health Team partners as related to the pandemic and other health issues that may come forward, including but not limited to vaccination requirements.
The Addictions Counsellor 2 position is a full-time contract position to October 31, 2025, for 35 hours per week, with a minimum of two evenings per week, weekend work is also expected (i.e., some Saturdays). The hourly wage rate is $34.44.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences or a health-related discipline OR minimum 5+ years’ direct clinical experience in addictions and/or mental health
• Member or member in progress with one of the regulatory colleges under the Regulated Health Professionals Act ex: College Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario; Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
• Minimum of 2 years of addictions counselling experience
• Knowledge and experience working with a range of clients presenting with substance use and concurrent disorders a definite asset
• Extensive training and experience working with trauma
• Solid experience and awareness of the needs of working in very marginalized communities and with marginalized populations
• Strong knowledge of crisis intervention and recovery principles
• Strong knowledge of concurrent disorders a definite asset
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse and interdisciplinary team
• Ability to evaluate programs/services considering client needs and service delivery within a complex environment.
• Ability to do addiction assessments independently and provide comprehensive treatment planning and treatment to clients with addiction issues; GAIN-Q3 certification, a definite asset
• Ability to facilitate treatment, psycho-educational and process groups to diverse clients with substance use issues
• Ability to foster a strong therapeutic alliance with clients
• Ability to assess and provide treatment through a strengths-based framework
• Sound knowledge, awareness and understanding of anti-oppression and anti-racism (AOAR) practices
• Knowledge and experience in harm reduction strategies
• Excellent organizational and administrative skills
• The ability to work independently
• A working knowledge of data management systems (Catalyst preferred)
• Excellent English communication skills, both verbal and written
• The ability to provide services in French and any additional languages a definite asset

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• A valid driver’s license and access to an insured vehicle
• A successful Police Vulnerable Sector Check, as per agency policy and procedures
  Please apply by sending your resume and cover letter detailing what interests you about this opportunity and experience you have that sets you apart from others. External Applicants: Apply Online. Deadline to apply: Until Filled.

The process we will undertake to recruit for this role includes:

• Initial screening of resumes and covering letters
• Those who are successful in moving through the initial screening process, will be asked to participate in a brief telephone interview
• Those who are successful in the telephone interview will be asked to attend a face-to-face interview to gain a better understanding of the role, as well as, provide you the opportunity to discuss how your experience fits well with this opportunity.

We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from diverse individuals who self-identify on the basis of any of the protected grounds under the Human Rights Code, and we encourage you to reflect upon the diversity you would bring to this role within your application. We are wholly committed to integration and to building a diverse, inclusive, accessible and respectful workplace where every employee has a voice and is given the opportunity to fully contribute, ensuring an equal employment environment without discrimination or harassment, while maintaining the independence of individuals and removing barriers to accessibility in the workplace. We remain committed to full compliance with the Human Rights Code, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and all other applicable legislation.
ASCO is committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons/persons of colour, women, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2 persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. Applicants who require special accommodation in order to complete their application/interview are encouraged to contact our HR representative of the accommodation measures required which will enable you to be interviewed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• Assess the level, pattern, and dynamics of the alcohol and/or drug use by an individual, as well as the client’s overall functioning, including physical and mental health, and their social location including social status and support network dynamics.
• Evaluate specific aspects of the client’s functioning by using tools and processes designed for specialized assessment purposes.
• Re-assess the client’s substance use, functioning, and situation regularly & in consultation with the larger interdisciplinary RAAM team.
• Develop a treatment plan and select appropriate treatment strategies on the basis of information gathered through the assessment processes.
• Provide either written or verbal information regarding the assessment findings and the case formulation to the client and to referral sources that request this information, including physicians, NPs working to support the medical aspect of the client’s care.
• Redirect individuals whose assessed needs cannot be met on a short-term, outpatient basis to appropriate specialized (e.g. medical, psychiatric, inpatient or day addictions treatment, family therapy) programs.
• Provide formal, structured follow-up and intervene as necessary and appropriate.
• Provide consultation and problem-solving assistance to professional colleagues and members of the community who are concerned about substance abuse and mental health of an individual who is not likely to become a client of the agency.
• Assist the client to identify problems and goals around their substance use.
• Develop and implement, with the client, a formal, systematic, and ongoing goal setting process that includes; identification of perceived problems, negotiation of specific functional targets and attendant courses of action as well as ongoing re-evaluation of the goals and plans.
• Provide skills teaching to clients and/or staff in selected areas of functioning attendant to rehabilitation for substance abuse through general instruction.
• Formal skills teaching to clients and/or staff using counselling approaches, skills coaching and related activities.
• Support and guide the client in reaching his/her goals and in addressing identified issues.
• Ensure counselling is conducted with an Anti-Oppression and Anti-Racism (AOAR) framework and through an AOAR lens.
• Provide systematic, short-term, and structured counselling to individuals, groups or families in relation to specific issues.
• Provide systematic interpretation using multiple psychotherapeutic modalities, and direction of the client’s functioning and situation in order to facilitate the development of specific insights and solutions.
• Identify that client requires medical/psychiatric intervention and assist the client to obtain appropriate help.
• Provide appropriate clinical intervention and counselling to agency clients.
• Provide supportive intervention and problem-solving assistance related to practical issues.
• Provide supportive counselling to clients’ significant others on how best they can support themselves and a loved one with addiction.
• Ensure continuity of service to clients through a continuous process of service matching, co-ordination, outreach to resources frequently used by the client population, referral, and follow-up.
• Collaborate & provide feedback to interdisciplinary team members to ensure continuity of care using client-centred approach.
• Collaborate with third party organizations who are also involved in the client’s care ie. Children’s Aid Society, Probation and Parole Officers, or other health practitioners, etc.
• Act on behalf of and/or with the client by representing the client’s needs as required in order to both accomplish the client’s goals and teach self-advocacy skills.
• Coordinate and facilitate psycho educational and therapeutic counselling groups to diverse clients with substance use issues that are consistent with program services and goals.
• Participate in Group Services delivery upon completion of orientation, shadowing and training.
• Work with the client and/or significant others to develop or restore the client’s natural support system - family, friends, co-workers, church, etc.
• Establish relationships with other community groups and relevant services that will support the client’s functioning. Participate in inter-professional collaboration with the local hospitals in providing services.
• Engage in group casework meetings that are consistent with program services and goals and appropriate to the Counsellor’s training and experience.
• Provide family or couples counselling (if trained to do so) which is consistent with program services and goals and appropriate to the Counsellor’s training and experience.
• Provide accessible casework services that are tailored to the local community’s needs within ASCO’s satellite offices.
• Maintain client records including case notes, assessments, treatment plans, service activity logs and discharge summaries.
• Contribute to management information systems and program statistical reports.
• Provide data on an ad hoc basis for special purposes.
• Develop special reports including Ad-Hoc reports as requested.
• Participate in regular administrative team meetings and in improving service delivery process.
• Educate community agencies and professional groups as assigned by the Supervisor.
• Participate in both regular individual supervision/and group clinical supervision and regular observation of casework with your assigned Supervisor.
• Support the development of clinical programs and initiatives in conjunction with the Clinical Supervisor.
• Participate in in-house peer consultation/supervision and staff training programs.
• Continuously upgrade skills by attending related courses and reading relevant literature.
• Provide direct service to clients as assigned by Program/Clinical Supervisor
• Provide Outreach services on the LOFT Street Outreach van, when assigned
• Perform agency duties as assigned (e.g. Education groups, Treatment groups, Aftercare groups, Friends and Family groups, presentations, etc.).
• Support other teams, programs and services within ASCO as required
• Other duties as assigned

The process we will undertake to recruit for this role includes:

• Initial screening of resumes and covering letters
• Those who are successful in moving through the initial screening process, will be asked to participate in a brief telephone interview
• Those who are successful in the telephone interview will be asked to attend a face-to-face interview to gain a better understanding of the role, as well as, provide you the opportunity to discuss how your experience fits well with this opportunity