Mental Health Counsellor

Keewaytinook Okimakanak; Northwestern Ontario; Hybrid; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Keewaytinook Okimakanak (KO) is seeking a qualified mental health professional to provide counselling services to KO First Nations clients, run group programs, and collaborate on treatment plans.

The role requires cultural awareness, strong communication, risk assessment, and willingness to travel to KO communities and offices across the region; a valid driver’s license is needed.

Qualifications

• Experience in mental health-related fields.
• Knowledge and understanding of indigenous culture and regional context.
• Excelled leadership, management, motivation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to speak one of the KO local dialects is an asset.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (written and oral).
• Valid Class G Driver’s License and must be willing to provide a police criminal background check.

Responsibilities

• Provides counselling services to KO First Nations clients.
• Provides group programs and services to clients.
• Participates in community development and education.
• Maintains accurate and confidential client records electronically.
• Carry out thorough risk assessments and monitoring of clients.
• Collaborate with other professionals to develop treatment plans for clients.
• Assist clients to manage their emotions through de-escalation strategies.
• Use trauma-informed best practices.
• Provide regular updates to KO Mental Health Program Supervisor and Chief and Council.
• Build relationships with community health staff and community leadership.
• Crisis response, intervention and promote harm reduction.
• Provide pandemic support, vaccination rollout support, RAPID testing site support.
• Attend weekly meetings with the KO Health Team.
• Travel regularly to KO First Nations communities, often by small aircraft.
• Travel to other KO regional offices such as, Winnipeg, Dryden, Sioux Lookout, Balmertown and Thunder Bay as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Leadership

Problem-solving

Indigenous cultural knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree or better in Counseling Psychology or related field

Job description

730 S. Syndicate Avenue
Thunder Bay, ON P7E1E9, CAN

General duties and responsibilities included are not exclusive or limited to the following.

• Provides counselling services to Keewaytinook Okimakanak (KO) First Nations clients.
• Provides group programs and services to clients.
• Participates in community development and education.
• Maintains accurate and confidential client records electronically.
• Carry out thorough risk assessments and monitoring of clients.
• Collaborate with other professionals to develop treatment plans for clients.
• Assist clients to manage their emotions through de-escalation strategies.
• Use trauma-informed best practices.
• Provide regular updates to KO Mental Health Program Supervisor and Chief and Council.
• Build relationships with community health staff and community leadership.
• Crisis response, intervention and promote harm reduction.
• Provide pandemic support, vaccination rollout support, RAPID testing site support.
• Attend weekly meetings with the KO Health Team.
• Travel regularly to KO First Nations communities, often by small aircraft.
• Travel to other KO regional offices such as, Winnipeg, Dryden, Sioux Lookout, Balmertown and Thunder Bay as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

ACCOUNTABILITY

• This position reports to the KO mental health program supervisor.

COMPETENCIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree or training, and experience working in mental health-related fields.
• Knowledge and understanding of indigenous culture and values in a regional context.
• Excelled leadership, management, motivation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to speak one of the KO local dialects is an asset.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (written and oral).
• Valid Class G Driver’s License and must be willing to provide a police criminal background check.
• Able to work effectively with others and to work independently.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

This is an existing position

Salary range: $70,000.00 - $90,000.00

We encourage applicants to self Identify if they are Indigenous. More specifically if they are a member from one of the six First Nation communities Keewaytinook Okimakanak serves.

Only those chosen for interviews will be contacted.

Qualifications

Education

Preferred

Bachelor's degree or better in Counseling Psychology or related field.