Addictions Counsellor/ Clinical Case Manager

ADAPT (Halton Alcohol Drug and Gambling Assessment Prevention and Treatment Services) is one of the largest and most diversified treatment agencies in Ontario. We offer a full spectrum of services to clients experiencing concerns with addictions, mental health or concurrent disorders, as well as to their families and loved ones.

Become part of the ADAPT team; the team that makes a difference, supports its employees in their career development and creates a positive environment to work in.

We are hiring for an Addictions Counsellor/ Clinical Case Manager (Community Addictions Liaison)

TERM: 1.0FTE, permanent

LOCATION: Oakville, outreach

SUMMARY

While the Community Addictions Liaison/ Case Manager position is a counsellor/ case manager role, ADAPT will also consider a community nurse with relevant experience as a potential incumbent.

The Community Addictions Liaison/ Case Manager works as a member of the Opioid Outreach and Treatment Services team, collaborating with primary health care professional teams through integrated partnerships. The position includes comprehensive community care planning and treatment service delivery to meet the individual needs of program clients. The Community Addictions Liaison/ Case Manager provides preventative, educational and/or supportive care. Services will include withdrawal education, immediate safety planning including overdose prevention information, treatment planning, counselling, group services, family and significant others support, monitoring of health status, case management and transitional case planning (additionally, community nursing assessment and support, if a nurse).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Direct Clinical Services:

  • Liaises with primary health care professional teams through integrated partnerships, including but not limited to the Integrated Addictions Medicine Clinic (IAMC) and other areas of need including Mental Health units, Urgent Care, and Medical units of Halton Health Care Services at the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital.

  • Provides consultation, assessment, treatment and case management for patients/clients and families with recent presentations at the partnering sites, primarily those referred through the Integrated Addictions Medicine Clinic.

  • Provides specialized opioid use and assessment services through a combination of diagnostic tools, individual structured interviews and motivational interviewing.

  • Completes initial safety planning education for all assigned clients including harm reduction, withdrawal information, safe withdrawal management planning, overdose prevention education, needle exchange program information and OAT.

  • Assesses both short and long term existing and potential risks to the client’s health and safety and educates/plans for these accordingly.

  • Creates and implements care plans; develops a comprehensive treatment plan in partnership with the client (and additional health care providers where appropriate) that is based on thorough review of assessment information and a harm reduction approach to change.

  • Provides screening, assessment, case management, and transition to culturally appropriate community support services.

  • Provides assessment, counselling, and referral for patients with a concurrent disorder.

  • Facilitates the implementation of the treatment plan including the provision of individual counselling, coordination and monitoring of appropriate and timely referrals to additional programs /services (e.g. inpatient programs, mental health services, medical care services).

  • Direct services to clients in both individual and group modalities, both in-person and remote/virtual applications

  • Collects appropriate data for reporting purposes.

  • Completes regular reviews of treatment plan and client progress with treatment goals and identifies revisions to planning as required.

  • Assists with program development in terms of changes and developments in best practices with the treatment of opioid, poly-drug, and other substances dependence.

  • Provides clear and consistent documentation on client’s health record.

  • Participates in agency and community committees and Agency and Hospital meetings as required.

  • Collaborates with community partners and hospital staff; collaborates with community partners through case conferences and consultation for the purposes of coordinated case management and client care, opioid use and opioid dependence education.

  • Supports quality improvement initiatives.

  • Provides community outreach services and advocacy in the field of addictions/concurrent disorders where appropriate and required.

  • Facilitate psycho-educational client groups as well as groups for family and friends as required.

  • Participates in community education and public awareness events as required.

  • Provides consultative services to community agencies, professionals or individuals as required.

  • Assists in the promotion of the Opioid and ADAPT programs to community agencies and the general public.

  • Provides input to the Operational and Strategic planning as relates to the Opioid Outreach and Treatment Services.

  • Participates in clinical supervision and performance evaluations as required.

  • Maintains accurate, detailed client file documentation according to agency standards.

  • Maintains accurate computer data entry as per agency standards.

  • Participates in professional development activities as required.

• Nursing Services (if a nurse):

  • Under the Standards of Practice of the College of Nurses of Ontario, and using the RNAO/ RPNAO Best Practice Guidelines, provides client-centred nursing care that is assigned as part of the clinical treatment plan, such as:

    • Conducts assessments, monitors patient responses to pharmaceutical and care interventions, documents interventions and maintains effective, ongoing communication with clinical team members.
    • Supports non-regulated staff through the direct provision of nursing protocols and procedures to their clients, which are restricted to a regulated health professional.
    • Provides consultation to non-regulated staff, with regards to nursing adjunctions to a clients’ plan of care.
    • Liaises with physicians and pharmacists, as appropriate/required.
    • May provide support to external clinics and partners, to the extent determined to be appropriate/allowable in the partnering arrangement or Memorandum of Understanding.
    • Assists in the development/delivery of the programs nursing protocols and ensuring the application of “best practice” standards.
    • Ensures that ADAPT has the equipment and supplies required to fulfill nursing functions as an ADAPT nurse.
    • Ensures that the agency and program meets all regulatory requirements for nursing protocols.

EDUCATION

University degree (Master’s degree preferred) in Social Work/Psychology/ other Health-related field plus Addiction/ Concurrent Disorders studies certification or a University Degree in Nursing/ Diploma in Practical Nursing with specialization in mental health

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS AND CREDENTIALS

• Registered Social Worker (RSW) designation with the Ontario College of Social Workers & Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) or Registered Psychotherapist (RP) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario or Registered Nurse/ Registered Practical Nurse with the College of Nursing of Ontario is an asset.
• Current CPR and First Aid certification is required.
• ASIST training or equivalent is required.
• CPI training is required.
• GAINS certification is an asset.
• Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle;

RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 3-5 years of relevant experience, preferably in case management and counselling to those with substance abuse concerns.
• Experience in:
  • Community development and networking;
  • Record keeping and file management;
  • Basic life skills counselling, supportive counselling, crisis intervention, advocacy, and group work;
  • Working with families of those who have addiction problems.
  • Managing clients with complex needs in varying stages of change;
• Demonstrated experience working in multidisciplinary teams, under pressure and within a fast paced changing environment.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and or facilitating groups for those with drug/alcohol problems.
• Experience in motivational interviewing and trauma-informed counselling.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Working knowledge of substances and withdrawal symptoms, with emphasis on opioids and opioid withdrawal.
• Good knowledge of mental health issues and related legislation, specifically Ontario’s Mental Health Act and PHIPA.
• Demonstrated skill in addiction assessment and treatment.
• Demonstrated skill and knowledge about concurrent disorders.
• CBT counselling skills an asset.
• Demonstrated comfort working within both abstinence-based and harm-reduction models.
• Comfort and experience with Harm Reduction as a treatment approach/philosophy.
• Demonstrated understanding of diverse cultures. Fluency in other languages is an asset.
• Must undergo a police records check

PERSONALITY TRAITS

• Communication:
  • Ability to communicate effectively with clients, the community and employees at all levels within the organization;
  • Strong active listening skills;
  • Ability to effectively present complex information in writing and verbally;
  • Ability to read and understand documentation such as operating instructions, procedures manuals and complex clinical reports;
  • Interpersonal skills that require an attention to detail and rapport building with clients;
• Reasoning Ability:
  • Ability to deal effectively with ‘people’ and administrative challenges;
  • Ability to exercise sound judgement and apply understanding, based on experience, to carry out instructions given in written or oral form;
  • Ability to analyze, prioritize and resolve problems involving a large number of abstract and concrete variables;
• Other Soft Skills:
  • Ability to: function independently, maintain effective working relationships with others, work effectively under pressure or deadlines and work outside regular office hours as required, use good judgement to make sound decisions;
  • Experienced sense and awareness of ethical boundaries, confidentiality and clinical reporting obligations;
  • Good organizational skills;
  • Flexible and adaptable; detail oriented;
  • Able to work effectively during periods of stress;
  • Active time management and scheduling;
  • Comfortable with working on an outreach basis;
  • Open to learning new knowledge and skill development to enhance one’s ability to work with individuals and their families struggling with addiction challenges;

COMPUTER SKILLS

• Proficient in computer skills and experience with electronic medical record systems;

WORK CONDITIONS

• May work from any one of ADAPT’s community service office across Halton Region;
• May deliver some services through community outreach;
• May deliver some services in hospital based clinics and or partnering community clinics;
• Able to fulfill all duties and work hours from a remote/home location, whenever required;
• Able to work 37.5hrs/week; flexibility is requires when meeting clients’ needs in evenings and on occasional weekends;
• Attending and conducting presentations;
• Manual dexterity required to use desktop computer and peripherals;
• Various physical actions of mobility are required (minimal lifting, sitting for periods of time, moderate wrist motions);

TRANSPORTATION

To successfully fulfill duties of the role, current valid driver’s licence and regular access to a dependable vehicle is required.

DEVELOPMENTAL EXPECTATIONS

As technology evolves, and as ADAPT modifies operating practices, employees will be required to upgrade their skills and knowledge to keep pace with those changes. The employee in this position will be expected to take advantage of training opportunities, as required. The employee is expected to retain clinical competence through relevant evidence-based research and legislation;

ADAPT is a respectful, caring and inclusive workplace committed to Employment Equity. We welcome diversity in the workplace, and encourage applications from all qualified individuals including members of visible minorities, aboriginal persons, and persons with disabilities. We will provide accommodations throughout the recruitment and selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities. Applicants need to make their accommodation needs known when contacted.