Travelling Mental Health Counsellor, Level 2

Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority; Sioux Lookout; On-site; CAD 88,049 - 113,338; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive employment benefits

Job summary

Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority is seeking a full-time Mental Health Counsellor to provide counselling services to First Nations communities in Ontario. This position involves extensive travel to offer support and intervention for individuals and families, as well as crisis management and group work. Candidates must possess relevant educational qualifications, registration with a professional body, and experience in mental health counselling. Knowledge of First Nations culture and languages is an asset.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year related mental health counselling experience required.
• Knowledge and experience with various talking therapies.
• Understanding of First Nations communities and mental health priorities.

Responsibilities

• Travel to First Nations communities for counselling and crisis management.
• Conduct mental health assessments and develop treatment plans.
• Lead group therapy sessions and workshops.

Skills

Communication skills

Crisis intervention

Mental health assessment

Group therapy facilitation

Problem-solving skills

Education

Diploma in Mental Health

Registration with a professional body in Ontario

Tools

Computer proficiency

Job description

Nodin Mental Health Services (MHS) is Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority’s mental health department. It is a resource available to First Nation children, youth, adults and families from 33 remote northern communities served by SLFNHA. Nodin MHS has several services: intake, counsellors travelling to communities, a crisis response program, community-based children’s mental health and addiction workers, traditional healing, youth school counsellors, and an outpatient mental health service (OMHS).

The Mental Health Counsellor travels to First Nations communities to provide counselling to children, youth, adults and families, support/guidance, intervention, crisis management, group work and case management services. This counsellor works in close collaboration with all community resources and assists with capacity building. When not travelling, upon request, this position may also be required to work in the Sioux Lookout based outpatient mental health service.

Salary Range: $88,049 - $113,338 per annum.

Position Type: Full-time

Posting Type: This job posting is for an existing vacancy.

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).
• Minimum 1 year related mental health counselling experience is required
• 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.

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 requestedDevelop 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

Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority focuses on hiring Indigenous employees whenever possible.

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.

We offer competitive and comprehensive employment benefits to Full-Time employees: