Counsellor - Men's Addiction Treatment

Who We Are

For more than 130 years, The Salvation Army has served people in need in communities across Canada and Bermuda. Building on our roots as a world-wide Christian church, each year we help more than 2 million people, providing necessities such as food, clothing and shelter. In addition, we support people experiencing unemployment, addiction and family challenges. We continually adapt and innovate to meet emerging needs and live out our mission, vision and values of hope, service, dignity and stewardship. As a faith- and values-based organization, we hire and serve people of all backgrounds and walks of life - there is a place for everyone to belong here.

Mission Statement

The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

Job Description:

Position Purpose summary:

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

Accountabilities:

The incumbent may perform all, some, or similar duties to the listed below:

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; Assist client(s) with updating/renewing prescriptions and maintain medication records as per policy.

• •Ensure that clients are aware of the client grievance procedure available to them.
• •Participate in the yearly client focused events, including but not limited to: Client Christmas Party (usually early December) and summer baseball tournament(s).
• •In collaboration with the Treatment team, 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 individual 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 Men’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.

CRITICAL RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT

Governance Boards and Councils: None

Internal:

• •Treatment Department Team (Counsellors, Intake, Peer Support Workers, management, etc.)
• •Education & Skills Development Counsellor, Chaplains, Shelter department
• •Director of Residential Programs.

External:

• •Pharmacy provider
• •External client service providers (with client consent)

MANAGERIAL RESPONSIBILITY:

• •Reports directly to: Treatment Assistant Manager – Men’s
• •Direct reports for this position: N/A
• •May occasionally supervise practicum students and/or volunteers

FINANCIAL AND MATERIALS MANAGEMENT:

• •Financial: The Counsellor is rarely involved in financial matters, but may be authorized to spend, disburse, or collect small amounts of cash. They have little input into the annual budget.
• •Material: May manage clients belongings. Maybe required to manage office supplies

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The Counsellor works Monday through Friday, 8:00am to