Clinical Counsellor

Program Overview – Supportive Housing, Community Care

The St. Hilda’s Supportive Housing Program provides housing for seniors who have been street involved, and who may be experiencing mental health and/or addictions issues. The program provides onsite psychosocial, primary care supports and services including: intensive case management; harm reduction and addiction supports; therapeutic and supportive counseling; 24-hour staffing; assistance with activities of daily living; nursing services; life skills development; social and recreational activities; volunteer opportunities; and follow up support. 

What You Will Do

• Develop good relationships, ensuring regular communication with all tenants in the building. 
• Plan, develop, implement, and evaluate programming, organize, lead, and facilitate groups/ activities in response to tenant needs, promote life skills, independent living and socialization.
• Engage tenants in development of programming, support ongoing tenant input.
• Promote participation in recreational, psychosocial and/or clinical programming.
• Enhance programming capacity through targeted outreach and engagement with external/community providers to increase on-site programming and/or supports.
• Develop and expand peer support programs to support independence, skill building and leadership development on site.
• Undertake the role of Lead Care Coordinator (LCC), and actively participate in the Coordinated Care Planning process, organize and manage ongoing communication in the care team.
• Advocate on behalf of clients as required.
• Link clients to various community resources including Community Agency Notification (CAN), and facilitate appropriate referrals to other community support services as required.
• Work with housing staff and tenants on strategies that support tenants to maintain their housing, transition plans to support move-ins and move-outs as required.
• Support Housing Manager and Building Services with coordination of pest control.
• Respond effectively and professionally to clients, situations and emergencies.
• Complete statistics and maintain all records and forms regarding visits and program/activity enrollment, create and maintain client files in a timely manner as per policies and procedures.
• Mentor, train, and support placement students and volunteers as required.
• Engage in training and education to upgrade skills.
• Keep current about the range of services available within WoodGreen and in other agencies.
• Take part in team and unit meetings, and promote the healthy functioning of the team/unit.
• Participate in regular supervisory sessions and annual performance appraisals.
• Ensure that the anti-racism objectives and community development principles of the organization are achieved in the program.
• Be familiar with organization policies and procedures and site-specific emergency procedures.

What You Bring to the Team

• Master’s in Social Worker (MSW).
• Registration in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, or College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, or an equivalent.
• 3+ years’ experience working with older adults with mental health, addictions issues and street involvement. Demonstrated experience working in client engagement, conflict mediation and community development.
• Effective September 7, 2021, all newly hired employees will be required to provide proof that they have completed an approved course of vaccination against COVID-19 at least 14 days prior to commencing employment or provide documentation to support an exemption based on grounds covered by the Ontario Human Rights Act (i.e. Medical exemption).

What Will Set You Apart

• Experience working with individuals with mental health, substance use/addiction issues, physical health issues, who have experienced chronic homelessness, street involved.
• Experience using a recovery and harm reduction approach.
• Experience developing programming/organizing, leading or facilitating groups or activities.
• Experience with crisis intervention, de-escalation and/or conflict mediation.
• Ability in supportive counselling with strong assessment and case management skills.
• Effective oral and written communication, interpersonal and conflict resolution skills.
• Information and referral skills and ability to effectively link client to supportive services.
• Excellent organizational, time management, documentation and evaluation skills.
• Self-directed and independent, with experience working effectively as a team member.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and flexibility.
• Ability to work from a client-centered approach.
• Knowledge of issues affecting older adults and geriatric populations.
• Comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the health sector and related services.
• Excellent knowledge of community resources.
• Applied computer skills (MS word, excel, Internet).
• Experience with Pirouette database is an asset.
• Second language is an asset.