EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelors or Master’s degree in counselling, psychology, social work, criminology or a relevant human services field; and
• Up to date registration and in good standing with professional regulatory body; and
• Advanced training in threat/risk assessment and/or trauma response Occupational Certification; and
• 3 to 5 years of experience working with complex social systems; or
• Equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Minimum 2 years working with threat/risk and trauma assessment, intervention and post-intervention;
• Experience working from a trauma informed, culturally sensitive perspective;
• Experience working with First Nations people and communities;
• Experience preparing funding proposals for mental health and addiction programs and initiatives;
• Experience creating documents, spreadsheets, memos, messages etc. with Microsoft programs;
• Experience maintaining records, filing and correspondence tracking;
• Class 5 driver’s licence, reliable vehicle and a clean driver’s abstract and appropriate insurance is required;
• Valid first aid and CPR “C” certificate required;
• Clean criminal record check with Vulnerable Sector required;

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Thorough knowledge of client centered mental health and addictions interventions, practice methods and professional skills;
• Thorough knowledge of community resources, treatment centres, social service networks and organizations;
• Thorough knowledge of funding agencies available to assist clients in accessing needed support services and community resources;
• Thorough knowledge of cultural safety and agility.
• Sound knowledge of various therapeutic and counselling modalities.
• Sound knowledge of assessment and screening tools and modalities in determining suicide and violence risk and threat.
• Sound knowledge of relevant socio-historical events relevant to First Nations in Canada.
• Sound knowledge of the importance of critical reflection in practice.
• Working knowledge traditional healing practices, customs, values and traditions of local First Nations
• Advanced interpersonal skills to work with diverse client groups with varying levels of comprehension and language capability;
• Ability to use critical self-reflection in practice.
• An understanding of rural and remote communities and their inherent challenges and barriers.
• Understanding and ability to practice with a Nation- based, community driven philosophy.
• Ability to practice from an individual/family/community perspective.
• Ability to balance western and traditional Indigenous worldviews in practice.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information and situations with a high level of integrity, professionalism, and trust;
• Aware of and applies professional ethics and approaches to resolve ethical dilemmas.
• Ability to establish and maintain strong working relationships with a variety of allied
• Ability to work independently with limited direction, act on own initiative, set priorities and meet deadlines;
• Strong work ethic including attending work on a regular and consistent basis, and to demonstrate a collaborative approach to problem solving.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

To provide advanced level expertise in community-based clinical mental wellness counselling services to those seeking help, including mental health and addictions counseling as well as crisis and trauma incidents in community. The Clinical Counsellor (CC) practices in a culturally safe, trauma informed way, while recognizing and respecting the values, beliefs and customs of individuals, families and community as well as adhering to best practices current to the field.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides crisis support, intervention and prevention for individuals on and off reserve and in the event of a community based critical incident;
• Provides mental wellness counselling services including individual, group and family sessions, healing/treatment planning, collaborative discharge planning and after care to those impacted by community-based incidents;
• Coordinates, attends and/or facilitates workshops, healing groups and speaking engagements with the community and in the schools;
• Collaborates with community health staff, Traditional Knowledge Holders and Healers, families, and community resources as needed;
• Provides assessments and screenings as needed upon discovery of the presence of suicide risk and mental health related issues;
• Provides referrals to external agencies, internal services, Traditional Knowledge Holders and Healers and other culturally relevant resources;
• Provides consultation, education and information to individuals, families, community and caregivers about mental wellness;
• Evaluates treatment outcomes to ensure effectiveness of services through continuous follow-up plans and actions;
• Collaborates with the Tsartlip Health Team to identify and address gaps, barriers and challenges of service delivery and offer solutions;
• Provides quality access to mental wellness counselling to community and provides advocacy to address barriers of services;
• Mediates, negotiates and resolves conflict resolution when responding or assisting in emergency situations;
• Builds and/or enhances relationships between Tsartlip community members and external service providers;
• Documents, and tracks clinical records as per the provided document tracking forms (i.e.: EMR, incident reports, workplans);
• Works to incorporate Cultural ceremony, tradition and customs into and around related duties where appropriate and as needed;
• Assesses and documents systemic barriers and challenges identified as potential pre-disposing factors related to the incident;
• Ensures client/family/community confidentiality and privacy in accordance with professional regulatory guidelines and following standards of practice and legal requirements;
• Identifies and pursues funding for mental health and addiction programs and initiatives through existing and new funding sources;
• Manages, tracks and reports on the spending of all grant funding received;
• Works with the Manager to develop the annual program budget;
• Attends relevant training and workshops identified by the Manager;
• Monitors areas of responsibility for opportunities for improvement and proactively implement them;
• Attends departmental and staff meetings and events as required;
• Adheres to departmental policies and procedures, and all other policies, bylaws and laws adopted by Council as well as legislated policies;
• Ensures that service quality standards are maintained and consistently delivered in all areas of responsibility;
• Presents a professional, positive and helpful attitude at all times;
• Promotes a safe work place; ensures that all established safety procedures are followed;
• Carries out other duties essential to the position as directed by the Manager.