Become part of the ADAPT team; the team that makes a difference, supports its employees in their career development and creates a positive environment to work in.

SUMMARY

The Harm Reduction Case Manager works as a member of the greater outreach & case management programming at ADAPT) The Harm Reduction Case Manager provides preventive, educational and/or supportive care. Services will include community outreach, harm reduction & withdrawal education, immediate safety planning including overdose prevention information, comprehensive assessment, treatment planning, referral and bridging to other ADAPT programming, counselling, monitoring of health status, case management, referral/ advocacy/ system navigation to community partners based on client need and transitional case planning.

EDUCATION

University degree/ diploma in Social Work and/ or Health-related field plus Addiction/ Concurrent Disorders studies certification, or equivalent combination of experience and education.

RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE

Minimum of 1-3 years of relevant experience.

Experience in:

• Community development and networking;
• Record keeping and file management;
• Basic life skills counselling, supportive counselling, crisis intervention, advocacy, and group work;
• Managing clients with complex needs in varying stages of change;

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Working knowledge of substances and withdrawal symptoms, with strength in complex care, opioid and polysubstance use and withdrawal, risk mitigation to relapse and overdose.
• Good knowledge of mental health issues and related legislation, specifically Ontario’s Mental Health Act and PHIPA.
• CBT/DBT/MI counselling skills an asset.
• Demonstrated skill in addiction assessment and treatment.
• Demonstrated skill and knowledge about concurrent disorders.
• Knowledge of and comfort with the outreach approach to treatment.
• Comfort and experience with Harm Reduction as a treatment approach/philosophy.
• Ability to successfully deliver culturally responsive services.
• Cultural knowledge of key populations in Halton Region that will be served to address disparities in specific services.
• Ability to communicate and effectively interact with people across cultures, ranges of ability, genders, ethnicities, and races.
• Knowledge of the history of discrimination in America, particularly as it relates to race and racism, and how this history has led to disparities experienced by marginalized communities such as BIPOC, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ communities, and others.
• Knowledge of French language an asset
• Must undergo a police record check

OTHER SKILLS

• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients and staff through both oral and written means
• Strong organization and time management skills
• Attention to detail and effective documentation capabilities
• Ability to build effective rapport and active listening skills
• Keen sense of ethical boundaries and confidentiality obligations
• Ability to work under pressure and to deadline
• Proficient in computer skills and experience with electronic medical record systems;

ABOUT US

ADAPT (Halton Alcohol Drug and Gambling Assessment Prevention and Treatment Services) is one of the largest and most diversified treatment agencies in Ontario. We offer a full spectrum of services to clients experiencing concerns with addictions, mental health or concurrent disorders, as well as to their families and loved ones.
At ADAPT we are committed to building a warm, inclusive, and diverse environment. We believe that our employees are our greatest asset; that they will do their best work when they feel supported and empowered. That is why we offer an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Direct Clinical Services: co-ordinates and participates in the direct clinical care of individuals with complex needs with a portion of those who are currently or formerly opioid/ polysubstance users at high risk of relapse or overdose, specifically:

• Provides a full range of assessment, treatment planning, counselling, and case management services, including specialized opioid/ polysubstance use and assessment services through a combination of diagnostic tools, individual structured interviews and motivational interviewing. Completes initial safety planning education for all assigned clients including harm reduction, withdrawal information, safe withdrawal management planning (including referral to CWMS programming or other supervised withdrawal), overdose prevention education, and supervised medical treatment like OAT.
• Assesses both short and long term existing and potential risks to the client’s health and safety and educates/plans for these accordingly.
• Develops a comprehensive treatment plan in partnership with the client (and additional health care providers where appropriate) that is based on thorough review of assessment information and a harm reduction approach to change.
• Facilitates the implementation of the treatment plan including the provision of individual counselling, coordination and monitoring of appropriate and timely referrals to additional programs /services (e.g. inpatient programs, mental health services, medical care services).
• Completes regular reviews of treatment plan and client progress with treatment goals and identifies revisions to planning as required.
• Supports the client in addressing basic needs which may include creation of a crisis and/ or safety plan, referral/ advocacy/ assistance in navigating to and applying for services like primary care, housing, immigration, justice, education, employment, financial supports (OW or ODSP), and/ or life skills instruction.
• Identify and establish a circle of care of family/ friends/ other informal supports who will voluntarily support the treatment plan (and consents obtained if needed) toward identifying and building social capital and community supports/ social and recreational activities (including culturally specific supports) and establishing pathways to lesser intensive services or graduation from service.
• Collaborates with community partners through case conferences and consultation for the purposes of coordinated case management and client care, substance use and substance dependence education.
• Facilitate psycho-educational client groups as well as groups for family and friends as required.
• Participates in community education and public awareness events as required.