Mental Health and Addictions Counsellor

salvationarmyca; Saskatoon; On-site; CAD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

The Salvation Army in Canada is seeking a Mental Health and Addictions worker to assess and support addiction clients, develop treatment and safety plans, and coordinate services. The role involves counseling individuals or groups and collaborating with the Spiritual Care team to address holistic needs.

Responsibilities include maintaining client records, participating in team meetings, and liaising with external agencies, while upholding confidentiality and ethical standards.

Qualifications

• Conduct initial and ongoing assessments, treatment plans, safety plans, and referrals.
• Maintain and update client records and submit reports on caseload.
• Counsel clients individually or in groups using best practices.
• May chair planning meetings for clients.

Responsibilities

• Engages in staff meetings and service training.
• Represents the organization professionally.
• Intervenes in crisis situations and relapse prevention.
• Maintains confidentiality and SAMIS records.
• Liaises with police and social service agencies.

Skills

Counselling

Case management

Documentation

Interpersonal skills

Job description

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

ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• The incumbent may perform all, some, or similar range of duties.


• Conduct initial and ongoing assessments, treatment plans, safety plans, referrals, and integration of required services for addiction clients.


• Attends and facilitates case conferences with the Case Management Team.


• May chair monthly (or as needed) planning meetings for clients and other Social Services Workers.


• Maintains and updates all appropriate documentation related to clients/residents; submits written reports on case load.


• Maintains a broad knowledge of addiction treatments and explanatory theories, homelessness, mental illness, and community resources.


• Participates fully and constructively in staff meetings and service training.


• Engages in formal evaluation sessions with the direct supervisor after the probation period and annually thereafter.


• Represents the organization in a professional manner


• Counsels clients/residents individually or in a group setting according to counselling best practices


• Develops and implements case management of assigned clients/residents.


• May support clients with appointments (medical, counselling, etc.).


• Supports the efforts made to meet the client's spiritual needs and cultural practice by working with the Spiritual Care team.


• Builds and maintains a therapeutic environment with clients. Confront in a therapeutic manner, if necessary, to de-escalate tensions and resolve conflict. Document observances of the clients along with actions taken by the staff.


• Develops and implements treatment plans for clients, including establishing goals, monitoring progress and program completion.


• Provides education to individuals and families about the causes and effects of addictions.


• Refers clients to appropriate sources for the purpose of personal care, employment, educational, practical everyday needs, and other recovery needs.


• May perform intake and discharge procedures for clients/residents as assigned.


• Intervenes in crisis situations, relapse prevention, early intervention, follow-up, and aftercare and provides addiction counselling services as required.


• Presents case reports and progress of clients at regularly scheduled team meetings and provides input into the individual plans.


• Presents to the Residential Services Manager or designate, when required, a written or oral report on the progress of each assigned client.


• Promptly reports incident reports in accordance with policy.


• Liaises with the Police, Ministry of Social Services, Provincial Court, community agencies, family, and other staff members.


• Maintains confidentiality and keeps accurate statistical records (SAMIS)


• Provides statistical and evaluative information to management and funders.


• Maintains an active interest in all phases of the residential program and suggests improvements to the same.


• Adheres to standards consistent with the values and philosophy of The Salvation Army. Reads and follows the Policy & Procedures Manual and the Employee Handbook.


• Practices The Salvation Army professional code of ethics and communicates and cooperates with all co-workers, partners, and clients in a respectful, open, and honest manner, maintaining confidentiality at all times.


• A large part of the work of Mental Health and Addictions worker involves people and health information, therefore, courtesy and confidentiality are imperative. Employees are to show respect and dignity to fellow community partners, employees, clients, and members of the public. All employees are expected to abstain from using profane language while in the facility or representing The Salvation Army as an employee.


• Required to work in cooperation with other staff members in job-related areas and treat all clients, staff, volunteers, and members of the public with respect, dignity, and confidentiality.


• Performs other work-related duties as assigned.

CRITICAL RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT

Internal: Case Management team, residents, staff, residents' families

External: Police, Ministry of Social Services, Provincial Court, community agencies

MANAGERIAL/TECHNICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Reports directly to