Group Facilitator (Online Concussion Support Group)

JOB POSTING – 3 Year Contract Position (Full-time)

 

Group Facilitator (Online Concussion Support Group)

 

The Ontario Brain Injury Association (OBIA) is a charitable organization whose mission is to enhance the lives of Ontarians living with the effects of acquired brain injury (ABI) through education, awareness and support.

 

Overview:

The group facilitator will be responsible for the online concussion support groups, including registration, connecting with potential participants, preparation, facilitation, participation follow-up and all documentation and reporting. Responsibilities also include working closely with the members of the OBIA support services team, assessing when a group member requires further support or advocacy and referring that person to the appropriate support services staff member. Each group runs for 8 weeks. Multiple support groups will be running concurrently.

Multiple support groups will be running weekly.

The goal of the online concussion support group is to provide a safe space where members can render and receive support from one another while at the same time the facilitator provides emotional and educational support to group members.

 

 Why Should You Apply?

  • You have experience with group facilitation
  • You possess knowledge of concussion/brain injury, and its effects on individuals, families and professional systems or knowledge and experience working with trauma
  • You have great interpersonal skills, enthusiasm, warmth and ability to empathize

 

Primary Duties and Responsibilities: 

  • Understand, communicate, and promote the purpose and value of OBIA’s online concussion support group.
  • Work with the marketing and promotional staff team members to promote the Online Concussion Support Groups
  • Schedule dates and times for concussion groups
  • Oversee registration of participants
  • Follow-up personally with each interested participant by email or phone (phone is preferably)
  • Develop pre and post evaluations based on best practices and funding requirements
  • Distribute and collect pre and post evaluations to and from participants
  • Develop evidence based educational components for support groups
  • Convey knowledge about concussion, its symptoms and strategies to cope
  • Set the tone for appropriate behavior of the group through empathy, humour, and openness.
  • Build a strong sense of group sharing, by listening to the concerns of others in the group, assisting participants in articulating feelings, and encouraging all members of the group to do the same.
  • Moderate sharing during group discussion to keep the group within appropriate limits.
  • Assess when a group member requires further support or advocacy and refer that person to the appropriate support services staff member.
  • After each weekly group write up clinical notes and upon completion of each group submit a report (including evaluations) to the  Executive Director and/or designate
  • At the completion of an 8 weeks group, set up monthly follow-up for the next 6 months.

 

Qualifications:

  • Registered Social Worker in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW)(Masters Preferred);

OR

  • Registered Psychotherapist in good standing with the College of Registered Psychotherapists Ontario(CRPO)

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Experience with group facilitation
  • Knowledge of concussion/brain injury, and its effects on individuals, families and professional systems or knowledge and experience working with trauma
  • Lived experience with concussion an asset
  • Effective listening, observation, and facilitation skills
  • Self-awareness
  • Ability to create and maintain a safe environment where participants’ thoughts and feelings are valued and group members are treated with fairness, equity and respect.
  • Strong mediation, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills
  • Knowledge of other community resources, funding agencies, treatment centres, social service networks, and organizations
  • Good understanding of the roles of other health care professionals

 

OBIA is an equal opportunity employer.  In accordance with the AODA (Accessibility of Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005), OBIA will provide accommodations throughout the recruitment, selection and / or assessment process to applicants with disabilities.  If you require disability-related accommodations, please inform us.  All personal information is collected under the authority of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

 

Interested applicants are invited to submit their resumé and cover letter to:

Ruth Wilcock, Executive Director

at employment@obia.on.ca or fax 905-641-0323

Resumés must be received no later than May 18th, 2018

 

We thank all applicants for their interest in our organization; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.