Women's Treatment Counsellor

Under the direction of the Treatment Program Assistant Manager - Women's Treatment, the Addiction Counsellor is responsible for the following areas: counselling, clientele relations, classroom instruction, group facilitating, administrative co-operation and spiritual input.

Clientele Relations

• Ensure that clients are seen in a timely manner & monitor client's participation in the program and hold them accountable to program requirements as well as principles of recovery.
• Ensure that the client becomes acclimatized to their new environment, is aware of all rules and gains confidence in the staff.
• Develop outcome-oriented treatment plans with individual clients to direct them towards a continuum of care that covers both mental health and substance use disorder.
• Ensure that confidentiality of all information regarding clients is maintained. Have knowledge of the "Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act."
• Ensure that assistance is given to the client in accessing any outside resources (MHR, EI, clergy, support groups, Community Advocate etc.).
• Ensure that passes are given in accordance with established guidelines
• In rotation with other staff, dispense medications to clients as per policy.
• Ensure that clients are aware of the client grievance procedure available to them.
• Participate in the yearly client focused events: Client Christmas Party (usually early December) and summer baseball tournament(s).
• In collaboration with the Intake Counsellor / Caseworker, assists clients/residents in establishing goals, monitoring progress, and prepares discharge plan
• Upon unplanned discharges, pack clients room as per policy.
• Ensure that infractions of the rules are dealt with and reported to the Treatment Program Manager.
• Participates in routine intake processes and decisions, following standard procedures
• Liaises with referral sources and other external agencies as needed (e.g. welfare, police, parole, urgent situations)
• Ensure program participants' movements are restricted to their department and approved areas only.
• Engage with clients in a trauma-informed, ethical and collaborative way

Counselling

• Responsible for client relations through psychoeducational and process groups, weekly individua counselling as well as a minimum of 7.5 hours of group counselling.
• Conduct group sessions 1-2x a day in accordance with the program manual and monthly schedule.
• Provides weekly individual recovery-focused counselling for clients throughout their stay, ensuring a minimum of one session per client per week. All sessions are to be documented.
• Be available on a daily basis for unscheduled meetings/sessions with clients.
• Ensure that an individual needs assessment and exit plan is developed prior to leaving. Provide assistance including but not limited to finding housing resources and referrals.
• Ensure that group activities, classes, and lectures are prepared and given in a manner acceptable to the Treatment Program Manager, and in accordance with the program manual and the monthly schedule.
• Ensure that class discussion, support groups, etc. are conducted as per monthly schedule.
• Ensure that client attendance is monitored for all classroom activities.
• The Counsellor 3 designation may only be qualified for clinical therapy as needed.
• Understands program limitations, and refers clients to appropriate internal and external resources for counselling needs outside the scope of the Women's Treatment program.

Documentation & Reporting

• Documentation is an essential component of Harbour Light's Treatment Program.
• Maintains all documentation to industry best practices and TSA standards
• Must complete assessment documentation and maintain each client's personal file as per Harbour Light Policy.
• Maintain client interaction and session notes in provided, secure database; notes include but are not limited to behavioural concerns, weekend/late passes, medication changes
• Maintain clients program file as per Harbour Light policy.
• Create CRF progress reports as per policy.
• Maintains statistical information as required.
• Assists with creating and maintaining other internal and external reporting requirements as required.

Spiritual Input

• Ensure that clients have access to spiritual input and counselling if desired and as a part of the rehabilitation process.
• Support the Executive Director to ensure the global mission of the Harbour Light maintains its focus as "the place of new beginnings".

Administrative & Inter-departmental Co-operation

• Maintains respectful & ethical relationships with clients and colleagues, in accordance with TSA policies and professional standards
• Participate in clinical supervision meetings, as an individual and member of the team
• Attends in-service and staff development programs as approved by Executive Director/Director,Operations & Residential Services.
• Attendance is compulsory at all General Staff Meetings, Case Review, and devotional/reflections services during normal working hours etc. as scheduled.
• Maintains a current knowledge of and complies with all facility policies and procedures. This would include, but is not exclusive to, The Salvation Army Standards & Review procedures.
• Works closely with and co-operates in a courteous, respectful manner with other staff, volunteers, visitors & clients.
• Ensure that information, even of a confidential nature, is passed on to the Treatment Program
• Manager, Director of Residential Programs, or Executive Director if it might endanger or seriously affect another person or the safety of the building.
• Ensure that all legitimate requests to assist by colleagues is considered and acted upon.
• Ensure that requests to Counsellors by individuals or outside agencies for information or presentation on Harbour Light are communicated to the Treatment Program Manager, Director of Residential Programs, or Executive Director.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• The Counsellor - Women's Treatment works closely with adults seeking recovery from substance use, typically in an office and/or classroom setting in a residential social services facility.
• Candidates must be comfortable with working in Vancouver's downtown eastside - our facilities are on the 100-block of East Cordova and the 100-block of East Hastings, between Columbia and Main. They will work primarily in our Cordova St location, but occasionally need to visit our Hastings location or within the neighbourhood. Our programs include community meals, 24-hour and overnight shelters, residential addiction treatment, a halfway house for men on parole, low income housing, and other services.
• During some working hours, the Counsellor - Women's Treatment may be working alone in the program space but is never alone in the facility. During these hours, the worker must carry a radio and wear a panic button.
• The Counsellor - Women's Treatment must follow precautionary measures and all health & safety policies, including but not limited to:

1. Universal precautions.
2. WHMIS, Mental Health First Aid, and Non-violent Crisis Intervention training
3. Proof of immunization for Hepatitis B and Tuberculosis; proof of TB testing (licensing requirement); proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (Provincial Health Order requirement)

Education, Qualifications and Certifications:

• Minimum of two (2) years of community college in a counselling field.
• The ideal candidate will be a member in good standing with a Canadian counselling certification body, holding a designation such as ICADC, RCC, RPC, RSW, MSW or equivalent.
• Criminal Record Review Program clearance to work with vulnerable adults
• Ability to receive enhanced federal reliability status to work with federal correctional clients
• Current Certification or willingness to obtain certification in:
• First Aid/CPR
• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (or equivalent)
• Mental Health First Aid
• Naloxone Training/Overdose Response
• Documentation confirming compliance with the Province's immunization and tuberculosis control program, per Residential Care Regulations

Experience/Knowledge:

• At least one year of experience in recovery-focused substance use/addiction treatment services, including facilitation and group therapy
• At least one year of experience in a direct service (frontline) role serving women/female identifying clients
• Comprehensive knowledge of evidence-based, trauma-informed practices in addictions treatment, the principles of recovery, and motivational interviewing
• Demonstrated Ability to provide care that acknowledges diverse social, psychological, and cultural needs
• Demonstrated Ability to provide culturally safe care; completion of Indigenous Cultural Safety Training is an asset
• Experience in a community care licensed facility is an asset
• Lived experience is an asset

Required Skills/Capabilities:

• Clear understanding of the needs, strengths, challenges, and opportunities for women and marginalized genders in the DTES, including substance use, mental health, homelessness, and gender-based violence
• Demonstrated ability to provide a healthy, safe, non-judgmental space for clients accessing social services and/or residential care, particularly in programs serving women/female identifying clients
• Demonstrated comfort and skill working with diverse populations
• Strong interpersonal skills, including conflict resolution skills
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally in writing and verbally in English
• Strong sense of integrity and confidentiality with professional ethics and a balanced sense of fairness and flexibility
• Strategic thinking and planning, creative and collaborative problem solving
• Clear, consistent, and values-oriented decision-making
• Strong skills in Windows, Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and client database systems
• Experience with CAMS (Case Administration Management System) or other client database is an Asset

HOURS: Casual

This is a Casual position without guaranteed hours. If scheduled for shifts, hours of work will be 8am-4pm Monday to Friday

Successful candidates, prior to hiring, may be required to provide:

• Background check consent.
• A clear vulnerable sector screening.
• A clean drivers abstract.
• Completion of our online Armatus Abuse Training and required Health and Safety training.

The Salvation Army will accommodate candidates as required under applicable human rights legislation. If you require a disability-related accommodation during this process, please inform us of your requirements.

We thank all applicants, however, only those candidates to be interviewed will be contacted.

Internal Applicants, please advise your managing supervisor of your intentions prior to submitting your application.