Counsellor I – Travelling

Northwest Employment Works; Sioux Lookout; On-site; CAD 69,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental benefits

Pension plan

Fitness reimbursement

Professional development opportunities

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority is seeking a Counsellor I – Travelling in Sioux Lookout, Ontario. This entry-level role provides on-the-job training, mentorship from peers and a clinical supervisor, and opportunities to travel to First Nations communities to offer counselling services.

The position emphasizes building practical experience with clients, documentation, and skills development, with potential progression to Counsellor II – Travelling after one year of experience.

Qualifications

• Preference given to First Nations ancestry.
• High school graduation plus a recognized college diploma in mental health.
• Registration with a regulated psychotherapy body in Ontario (CRPO/OCSWSSW/CPO).
• New graduate with limited to no work experience.
• Familiarity with talking therapies (CBT, group, motivational counseling).
• Strong interpersonal skills to establish rapport with clients and partners.
• Willingness to work with diverse age groups and communities.

Responsibilities

• Travel extensively to First Nations communities to provide counselling and group work.
• Conduct mental health assessments and help clients define goals and treatment plans.
• Assess risk factors and develop safety plans.
• Lead group therapy sessions and deliver mental wellness workshops.
• Coordinate care and refer to community resources as needed.
• Maintain accurate records of clinical care and client progress.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Counselling aptitude

Self-motivated

Adaptability

Time management

Documentation

Education

High school diploma

College mental health diploma

Tools

Typing

Computers

Job description

Internal/External Posting. This posting is to fill a current vacancy. Reference Number: MENTA001144. If applying by email, indicate the reference number in the subject line.

Job Type: Full Time position. Location: Sioux Lookout, Ontario. Rate of Pay: Annual : $68,778 – $100,438 / Hourly $37.790 – $55.186. Annual travel stipend available. Hours of Work: 35 hours per week. Application Deadline: Open until filled.

Position Summary: Nodin Mental Health Services is a department of Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority. It is a resource available to First Nations children, youth, adults, and families from 33 remote northern communities served by SLFNHA. Nodin has several services: intake, counsellors travelling to communities, a crisis response program, community-based children’s mental health and addiction workers, on-call, traditional healing, youth school counsellors, an outpatient mental health service, and also mobile outreach mental health and addiction counsellors who are a part of a Crisis Response and Harm Reduction Mobile Outreach Team for Sioux Lookout.

The Counsellor I – Travelling position is an entry level position for new graduates with little to no experience. The goal for the entry level counsellor is to first receive on the job training, supportive mentoring from peers and clinical supervisor for a period of time in Sioux Lookout before starting to travel into First Nations communities to provide counselling. Under this mentorship, the new counsellor will gain practical experience with clients and documentation, receive knowledge transfer, and build skills/confidence relevant to counselling in First Nations communities. Once readiness is determined that the counsellor can perform the job effectively, they will commence travelling to First Nations communities to provide counselling. A Counsellor I – Travelling may move to a Counsellor II – Travelling after gaining one year of experience.

Accountability

The Counsellor I – Travelling is accountable to the Supervisor – Clinical, Outreach Service.

Qualifications

• Persons of First Nations ancestry will be given preference (OHRC, Part II, Special Employment)
• Minimum level of education required is equivalent to high school graduation and completion of a diploma training program, specific to mental health at a recognized college
• Registration with a recognized professional body that is regulated to practice psychotherapy in Ontario (e.g., CRPO, OCSWSSW, CPO).
• New graduate with limited to no work experience
• Knowledge and experience with different talking therapies (e.g. cognitive behavioural therapy, group therapy, motivational counselling, family systems therapy)
• Can approach work holistically using a wellness model which highlights and encourages client’s strengths
• Strong set of interpersonal skills to establish and maintain rapport effectively with clients and partners
• Asset to have training in assessing risk of suicide, suicide intervention, trauma informed care, substance abuse/addiction, intergenerational trauma, grief, self-harm, psychiatric disorders etc.
• Ability to work with children, youth, adults and families
• Knowledge of mandatory reporting requirements
• Must have experience assessing high risk clients and responding appropriately
• Experience developing presentations and facilitating group work/therapy
• Proficient in typing and competent in the use of computers
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Accuracy and strong attention to detail is a must
• Strong interviewing, analytical, problem-solving, organizational and time management skills
• Self-starter to work independently with initiative and highly adaptable
• Support system and self-care strategies in place to maintain own wellbeing
• Knowledge of the people, culture and mental health priorities of First Nations communities in the Sioux Lookout region
• Ability to communicate in one or more of the First Nations dialects of the Sioux Lookout region will be an asset
• Previous experience working with First Nations communities is an asset
• Ability to communicate in one of the First Nations dialects of the Sioux Lookout region is an asset
• The ability to perform the requirements of the position on a regular basis.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Extensive travel to First Nations communities to provide counselling, support/guidance, intervention, crisis management, family counselling, group work and case management
• Conduct mental health assessments, help clients define goals and develop treatment plans
• Assessment of risk factors, clinical management of risk, stabilization, development of safety plans
• Develop therapeutic processes to guide clients in the development of skills and strategies for dealing with their problems
• Focus sessions on recovery, modification of behaviours or better management of conditions
• Evaluate client’s progress on a regular basis and adjust interventions as necessary
• Coordinate care, collaborate and refer to community/regional resources or specialists
• Maintain accurate, factual, and objective typewritten records in a timely manner on all aspects of clinical care
• Monitor files closely to ensure there is active care, and close inactive files without delay
• Protect client confidentiality, secure all records, and maintain integrity of client record
• Follow duty to report requirements as necessary
• Lead group therapy sessions and conduct mental wellness workshops
• Participate in regular supervision meetings to review all cases/issues, receive education and direction, and for debriefing
• Planning community trips/schedules in advance to ensure clients and communities receive services in a timely and effective manner
• Participate in ongoing education on mental health issues and team meetings
• Develop and deliver presentations and group work in-house as requested
• Develop and maintain good working relationships with community-based mental health workers and provide mentoring support
• Other duties that may be deemed necessary by your immediate Supervisor

About Working with Us

The Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority (SLFNHA) serves 33 First Nation communities in the Sioux Lookout region in Ontario, Canada. Mandated by the leadership in these communities, our organization is dedicated to strengthening First Nations by contributing in unique ways to a strong health system for the Anishinabe.

We value respect, relationships, culture, equality and fairness. Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority focuses on hiring Indigenous employees whenever possible.

Employment Benefits

• Health and dental benefits
• Competitive time off plans that increase with years of service
• Pension plan & comprehensive insurance coverage
• Fitness reimbursement program
• Professional development opportunities
• Relocation assistance

Candidates are encouraged to self-identify on their application. Self-identification is voluntary and the information is used to assist SLFNHA in hiring Indigenous people from the region whenever possible and to support candidates in their application.

If you require accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us at:

Human Resource Department

Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority

P.O. Box 1300, 61 Queen Street

Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1B8

Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

No resumes received after application deadline will be accepted. SLFNHA wishes to thank all applicants in advance. However, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

For additional information regarding the Health Authority, please visit our website at www.slfnha.com

SLFNHA is a proud supporter of Mikinakoos Children’s Fund. To find out more, visit www.mikinakoos.com