Addiction Counsellor

Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre; Canada; On-site; CAD 48,000 - 49,000; Part time

Job summary

Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre is seeking an Addiction Counsellor to provide comprehensive counselling and supportive services in a Live-In pre-treatment program. You will facilitate admissions, assessments, individual and group counselling, life skills coaching and discharge planning with a client-centred approach.

The role requires 1–3 years of direct care with substance use and mental health issues; education and certifications are highlighted, including CPR/First Aid and an ICAD/CCAC

Qualifications

• Degree or Diploma in Health or Social Science is required.
• College certificate in Addiction Studies from a recognized institution is required.
• Addiction Counsellor certification (ICAD/CCAC) preferred.
• Membership with a relevant college/registering body is an asset.
• CPR and First Aid certifications current.
• Training in CBT/DBT/Supportive counselling is an asset.
• Suicide Prevention training is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group counselling.
• Complete addiction-related assessments.
• Provide health teaching and education in individual and group settings.
• Facilitate psychoeducational and life skills groups.
• Maintain clear, timely documentation including admission notes, progress and discharge summaries.
• Utilize crisis intervention techniques as required.
• Complete referrals and facilitate transition to community supports.
• Develop transition plans with clients and supports; involve family information sessions as needed.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team to ensure continuity of patient care.
• Act as liaison between patients and community partners for discharge planning.
• Complete intakes, assessments, and case management with a client-centred, harm-reduction approach.
• Coach clients in activities of daily living and life skills.
• Support safety planning and recovery goals with services.

Skills

Addiction counselling

Group counselling

Crisis intervention

Documentation

Team collaboration

Assessment

Life skills coaching

Discharge planning

Education

Degree or Diploma in Health or Social Science

College certificate in Addiction Studies

ICAD/CCAC certification

Membership with relevant college

CPR and First Aid

CBT/DBT/Supportive counselling training asset

Suicide Prevention training asset

Job description

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Job Title

Addiction Counsellor

Program & Department

Regular / Temporary

Casual

Full / Part Time

Part-Time

Temporary End Date (Anticipated)

Union

Requisition Close Date

26 October 2026

Salary Plan / Job Grade

$34.57 - $35.37 ( SE_08 )

Job Posting Reason

Current Vacancy

Job Summary & Requirements

RVH’s Supportive Pre-Treatment Program provides a low-barrier, substance-free, live-in based service for individuals who do not require intensive Live-In Treatment or are awaiting admission to more intensive treatment services.

The Addiction Counsellor is responsible for providing a broad range of addiction counselling and related supportive services to clients and their family. The Addiction Counsellor is responsible for facilitating client activities within a Live-In program and ensuring clients participate in daily activities that support their recovery goals. In collaboration with other team members, they will ensure clients and their families are supported through the completion of admissions, on-going assessments, individual and group counselling, life skills and discharge planning.

Qualifications:

Education:

• Degree or Diploma in Health or Social Science field or equivalent required.
• College certificate in Addiction Studies from a recognized institution required.
• Certification as an Addiction Counsellor (International Certified Alcohol and Drug Counsellor (ICAD) or Canadian Certified Addiction Counsellor (CCAC) preferred.
• Membership with a relevant college/registering body considered an asset ie) College of Nurses of Ontario, College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario
• Certification in non-violent crisis intervention considered an asset.
• Formal training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy/Dialectical Behavioural Therapy /Solution focused Therapy/Family Therapy and/or Supportive counselling considered an asset.
• Suicide Prevention ie) ASSIST training considered an asset.
• Current Basic CPR and First Aid certifications

Experience:

• 1-3 years direct care experience working with individuals with substance use disorders and mental health concerns.
• Experience working with individuals who face co-existing socio-economic barriers such as poverty, isolation, difficulty accessing programs and service, physical isolation, discrimination, criminalization, and homelessness.
• Experience with principles of risk management and de-escalation techniques.
• Working knowledge of community resources to support addictions and mental health.
• Knowledge of pharmacology and prescription medications is preferred.
• Use of supportive counselling techniques to assist clients to gain self-confidence and progress in their goals.
• Experience facilitating psychoeducational group sessions and facilitating discharge planning considered an asset.
• Assist clients in determining how their support systems are involved in their care and work collaboratively with clients to acquire and maintain needed services and resources.
• Maintaining clear, accurate and timely documentation, including but not limited to admission notes, daily progress reports and related reports.
• The ability to identify additional/alternative services and complete appropriate referrals as required.
• Demonstrated ability to work closely with an multidisciplinary team and community partners.
• A strong commitment to the provision of client-centered care.

Responsibilities:

• Providing individual and group counselling
• Completing addiction related assessments
• Providing health teaching and education in individual and group settings
• Facilitation of psychoeducational and life skills groups
• Maintain clear, accurate and timely documentation, which will include admission notes, daily progress reports and discharge summaries.
• Utilizing crisis intervention techniques as required
• Completing referrals to community partners and facilitate transition to alternative community supports
• Develop transition plans with clients and their supports and facilitate family information/support sessions as required.
• Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team to ensure continuity of patient care
• Act as liaison between patients and community partners, ensuring patients are connected with the appropriate community agencies prior to time of discharge
• Complete intakes, assessments, and case management services, utilizing a client-centred, strength-based, harm reduction approach to clients experiencing substance use and mental health challenges.
• Coach or assist clients in the development/maintenance of abilities relating to activities of daily living, self-care, crisis management strategies, symptom management, maintaining a support network, and skills teaching such as budgeting, grocery shopping and other life skills.
• Supporting patients in the coordination of safety plans and liaising with services that will support the individual’s recovery goals.
• Other duties as assigned

Equity & Inclusion
RVH is committed to recruitment and selection practices anchored in principles of equity and inclusion that contribute to an anti-oppressive, respectful, and culturally safe workplace.

We invite applications from individuals who belong to groups that have been historically marginalized on the grounds identified by the Ontario Human Right Code, including but not limited to race, disability, age, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, family or marital status, and status as a First Nation, Métis, or Inuk person.

Accommodations
RVH is dedicated to ensuring every applicant has a fair and equitable opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and abilities throughout our recruitment and selection process. We are continuously working to create an accessible, barrier-free process, and recognize each applicant’s needs are different.

We encourage applicants with a disability or circumstance that could be supported with an accommodation to contact People Recruitment at [e-mail].

RVH does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to screen, assess, or select applicants.

Equity & Inclusion
RVH is committed to recruitment and selection practices anchored in principles of equity and inclusion that contribute to an anti-oppressive, respectful, and culturally safe workplace.

We invite applications from individuals who belong to groups that have been historically marginalized on the grounds identified by the Ontario Human Right Code, including but not limited to race, disability, age, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, family or marital status, and status as a First Nation, Métis, or Inuk person.

To learn about how RVH is taking steps to create and sustain an equitable, inclusive, accessible and culturally-safe environment, please visit: https://www.rvh.on.ca/about-rvh/equity-inclusion/

Accommodations
RVH is dedicated to ensuring every applicant has a fair and equitable opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and abilities throughout our recruitment and selection process. We are continuously working to create an accessible, barrier-free process, and recognize each applicant’s needs are different.

We encourage applicants with a disability or circumstance that could be supported with an accommodation to contact People Recruitment at [e-mail].

RVH does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to screen, assess, or select applicants.