Counsellor – Care and Treatment – Genesis

JOB SUMMARY:

Care and Treatment programs are intensive, structured, therapeutic, non-residential school-based programs for children exhibiting moderate to severe emotional, social, and behavioral difficulties. The Care and Treatment Program is designed to serve the needs of children with problems such as emotional disturbance, and anti-social behavior and who are otherwise unable to function within a regular school classroom for reasons associated with emotional behavioral disorders. The Genesis program is a harm reduction program for youth with Concurrent Disorders.

Care and Treatment - Genesis is not an extension of the education services, but a non-residential harm reduction-based day treatment program aimed at helping youth with moderate to severe social/emotional/behavioral difficulties and also issues with substance misuse to improve their self-esteem and social interactions through learning new skills so that they can return to community schools as soon as possible. In this program, it is with hope that a youth and his/her family can receive the necessary treatment and support without the child having to leave the community.

MINIMUM EDUCATION/REGISTRATION

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work or a degree in the Social Sciences accepted along with a Child and Youth Worker Diploma
• Crisis Intervention Certification is preferred
• Concurrent Disorder and Harm Reduction education preferred
• Current registration and in good standing with a regulated professional college (RSW, RP) is required. MINIMUM EXPERIENCE
• One year clinical experience working in children’s mental health or related fields preferred • Experience working with youth with substance misuse preferred Equivalent combinations of training and experience may be considered

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Thorough understanding of child and family development, parent-child interaction, concurrent disorders, and attachment theory.
• Demonstrated ability in working with emotionally dysregulated children/youth in a Care and Treatment setting.
• Sound knowledge of and ability to apply basic child and adolescent behavioral management approaches.
• Ability to create and maintain a therapeutic milieu within the Care and Treatment program.
• Experience and demonstrated ability in the provision of strengths-based, goal-oriented, and evidence based mental health services (CBT, Child and Adolescent Management approaches for example).
• Demonstrated ability and maturity to act calmly in situations demanding quick assessment and immediate action.
• Knowledge of pertinent legislation, such as The Child, Youth and Family Services Act, The Education Act, and the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
• Ability to develop and maintain professional working relationships with Agency staff, consultants, referral sources, service providers, education personnel, and parents
• Proficiency with technology such as computers/tablets and software, especially Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and data MIS.
• Ability to write clear, concise reports and attention to detail.
• Ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively, to negotiate effectively with collateral agencies at the system level, and to access community/professional resources.
• Demonstrated ability to independently make sound decisions, and carry them out and/or delegate.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of an interdisciplinary team
• Knowledge of the application of clinical instruments as part of evaluative practice is an asset (i.e. CAFAS).
• Clear understanding of parameters of confidentiality and reporting responsibilities under pertinent legislation, such as The Child, Youth, and Family Services Act, The Education Act, The Mental Health Act of Ontario, The Personal Health Information Protection Act, and the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
• Possession of a current First Aid Certificate and CPR is required
• Possession of a valid Ontario Driver’s License (minimum of Class G if over the age of 19 and Class G2 license if 19 and under), ability to travel within the district of Algoma, and use of a personal vehicle.
• Availability to work flexible hours including evenings and occasional weekends.
• The ability to provide services in both official languages (English/French) is an asset.
• Full COVID-19 Vaccination.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. To maintain and secure confidential client information in the execution of professional responsibilities in a manner that is consistent with required legislation, and AFS policies and procedures.

2. To possess a working knowledge of required legislation governing practice, specifically the Psychotherapy Act; also to fulfill the professional “Duty to Report” any suspected child abuse as required under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act.

3. To work as an AFS interdisciplinary team member to provide:

• Counselling services to children, youth and families
• Short-term assessment and stabilization services including post-crisis intake, assessment, intervention, and referral services to: children, youth and their families who have been referred by the Sault Area Hospital Crisis Service and require crisis follow-up;
• Intake, assessment, intervention, and referral services to children and youth admitted to the Sault Area Hospital’s Child and Adolescent Program (CAP) and their families;
• Brief Narrative Therapy through Walk in Counselling Service (scheduled hours after 4:30 p.m. on a voluntary basis) and Single Therapy Sessions
• Therapeutic and psychotherapeutic groups

4. To develop and maintain a clinical treatment plan with the child/youth and family, in collaboration with service providers and the medical community, as appropriate.

5. To provide a brief clinical intervention service to those clients deemed to be most appropriately serviced through a brief therapy model.

6. To work in cooperation with all clinical staff assigned to ensure client information is shared, and the clinical treatment plan is coordinated and supported in a timely and efficient manner.

7. Provide individual, family and group services where applicable.

8. To provide referrals and appropriate transitional support to other services and programs within AFS or in the community as required on a case by case basis.

9. To demonstrate a thorough working knowledge of community resources, especially in the area of child, youth, and family services, including health and medical services, and a willingness to liaise with local service providers and other key resources.

10. To accurately and promptly maintain client file documentation according to agency policy and procedure and to prepare and distribute documentation for case review or complex case discussion by an internal and/or interagency team if certain prescribed conditions exist and as appropriate.

11. To be prepared to conduct clinical work outside the formal office environment, that is, within the hospital setting, client homes, schools, medical clinics, etc.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: OTHER

1. To participate in annual service planning as appropriate, also in program evaluation in accordance with established policies and procedures.

2. To assist in the development of community mental health through active participation and leadership in establishing and supporting community networks, self-help groups, community planning, etc.

3. To interpret the AFS services system to clients, collateral agency representatives, and the community at large.

4. To take initiative for professional development on a personal and team level. 5. To assume other responsibilities as assigned by the Clinical Supervisor/Clinical Manager.

Algoma Family Services (AFS) is dedicated to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community in which we live and serve. AFS encourages applications from all qualified individuals. Applicants who may require accommodation during the selection process are encouraged to notify HR when contacted for an interview.

PLEASE SEND YOUR COVER LETTER AND RESUME TO [email protected] QUOTING REFERENCE # CCS-0113-01