Withdrawal Management Counsellor

Michael Garron Hospital; Toronto; On-site; CAD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Michael Garron Hospital's Withdrawal Management Service is a community-based facility dedicated to supporting people who use substances and are experiencing withdrawal. The counsellor collaborates with an inter-professional team to ensure safety and wellbeing of clients in a trauma-informed, gender-transformative setting.

The role emphasizes person-centred biopsychosocial assessments, care planning, crisis prevention, and collaboration with diverse communities through health equity principles.

Qualifications

• Accredited college diploma required in human resources counselling or social services.
• ICADC certificate is an asset.
• Baccalaureate degree in social services or psychology preferred.
• Certification in addiction counselling is an asset.
• First Aid/CPR certification required.
• Specialized training in supporting substance use and harm reduction is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Provide biopsychosocial assessments and develop care plans.
• Work within an inter-professional team to support safety and wellbeing of clients.
• Respond to emerging safety concerns and crisis situations.
• Promote collaborative, family-centred care with a health equity lens.

Skills

Biopsychosocial assessments

Interprofessional collaboration

Crisis prevention

Person-centred care

Leadership

Communication skills

Education

College diploma (Human Resources Counsellor or Social Services Worker)

ICADC certificate (asset)

Baccalaureate degree (Social Services or Psychology) (preferred)

Addiction counselling certification (asset)

First Aid/CPR certification

Training in harm reduction/mental health (asset)

Tools

EHR systems

Job description

Overview

The Withdrawal Management Service (WMS) is a community-based, facility dedicated to supporting people who use substances and experiencing withdrawal from substances. WMS has a Male identified unit with a capacity of 30 beds and a female identified unit with a capacity of 16 beds. WMS provides a safe supportive setting that is trauma-informed and gender-transformative for clients who often experience a range of mental health and/or medical issues. As a member of the Toronto East Health Partners network, these services are essential to the continuum of care for our community members living with substance use and mental health concerns.

The ideal candidate is committed to providing high quality, evidence-based care in a fast paced and developing clinical environment where roles and responsibilities are continually evolving to better meet the needs of our clients. The Withdrawal Management Counsellor will work as a member of an inter-professional team comprised of Social Workers (SWs), Counsellors, Registered Nurses (RNs), Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) and Nurse Practitioners (NPs) to support overall safety, health and wellbeing of WMS clients.

EDUCATION

• Accredited College diploma in either Human Resources Counsellor or Social Services Worker required.
• International Certified Alcoholism and Drug Counsellor (ICADC) certificate is an asset.
• Baccalaureate Degree in a related field (Social Services or Psychology) preferred.
• Certification in addiction counselling an asset.
• First Aid/CPR certification required.
• Completion of specialized training/course in supporting individuals who are substance using/dependent.
• Additional training in harm reduction, recovery, mental health, and various therapeutic modalities such as motivational interviewing or crisis prevention/management strong assets.

Qualifications

• Minimum of one (1) year of recent relevant experience working with adults living with substance use/dependency, mental health challenges, and concurrent disorders in a community or hospital-based setting.
• Proven skills and experience in conducting person-centred biopsychosocial assessments and developing care plans with individuals experiencing challenges with substance use/dependency and/or mental health challenges.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a self-directed manner using well developed leadership, critical thinking, organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to evaluate and respond to emerging concerns related client safety and well being.
• Experience with preventing and responding to crisis.
• Demonstrated commitment to collaborative person and family centred care.
• Training, knowledge and experience in anti-oppressive, gender transformative approaches to care/treatment.
• Demonstrated competency and experience working with diverse communities using a health equity lens.
• Knowledge and experience applying conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques.
• Knowledge and experience working with adults with histories of trauma, abuse, self-harm and/or suicidal behaviour.
• Knowledge of adult mental health and substance use/addiction resources.
• Demonstrated ability to work in collaboratively and effectively in an interprofessional team environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing quality improvement and excellence in care.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated professionalism, accountability and positive attitude.
• Proficiency in the use of computer technology and various software applications.
• Excellent work and attendance record required.
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of legislation that guides mental health and addition nursing practice including the Mental Health Act, Health Care Consent Act.
• All employees of Michael Garron Hospital (MGH), a division of Toronto East Health Network (TEHN) [formerly Toronto East General Hospital (TEGH)] agree to work within the legislated practices of the Occupational Health and Safety Act of Ontario.
• All employees of MGH are responsible to contribute to a transparent culture of patient and staff safety by adhering to and abiding by patient and staff safety policies and procedures set by MGH.
• All employees are accountable for protecting the psychological health and safety of themselves and their co-workers through adherence to MGH's policies and practices.

EMPLOYMENT EQUITY & ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT

Michael Garron Hospital (MGH) champions accessibility, diversity and equal opportunity through the creation of an inclusive and diverse work environment. At Michael Garron Hospital, we strive to be an equitable and inclusive employer. We encourage candidates from Black, First Nations, Métis and Inuit, racialized and LGBTQ2S+ communities, people of colour, women, people with disabilities and individuals who identify with the diverse communities that we serve, to join the MGH team.

Through our values of Compassion, Respect, Integrity, Inclusion and Courage, Michael Garron Hospital is committed to providing accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC). Should you require an accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know how we can work with you to meet your needs.

This job posting is a confirmed, active vacancy for which we are currently seeking a qualified candidate.

MGH is committed to leveraging new technologies and working efficiently. As a result, artificial intelligence systems may be used as part of our process to screen, assess, and or select applicants for this position.