JOB POSTING: ADDICTION SERVICES CENTRAL ONTARIO –
JOB POSTING 2024.36CFT
ADDICTIONS COUNSELLOR 1 – BED-BASED WITHDRAWAL MANAGEMENT CENTRE
Supporting other teams, programs and services as required
CONTRACT FULL-TIME UNTIL MARCH 31, 2026
Addiction Services Central Ontario (ASCO) is a charitable, community-based addiction services organization with its main office located in Aurora, Ontario and provides programs and services in York Region, South Simcoe and some parts of Toronto. We offer a variety of services to meet the needs of people where they are located in their communities. To better reflect the people and communities we serve, our name has changed from Addiction Services for York Region to Addiction Services Central Ontario. Be sure to visit our website: https://helpwithaddictions.ca.
ASCO unites to support individuals to achieve their goals by offering hope and promoting well-being. Addiction Services Central Ontario takes pride in its passion for client service. Each day presents new opportunities to demonstrate leadership and expertise in addictions to the community. ASCO embraces a holistic, biological, psychological, social and spiritual approach to addiction. A holistic approach places the person at the centre. The agency uses a harm reduction approach in addiction treatment and equally respects individuals who choose abstinence or harm reduction. ASCO’s three strategic priorities are: Develop Our People, Drive System Leadership in Integrated Care and Advance Clinical and Operational Excellence.
The demand for more bed-based addiction services continues to grow, and withdrawal management bed-based services are a step forward in developing and implementing a fully connected spectrum of continuity of care in our community from withdrawal specific support, to offering referrals to current programs and services available in the community. This includes referrals to bed-based treatment, individual counselling, group based services, case management, peer support, psycho-education and pharmacotherapy services. As the lead agency for addictions within the former boundaries of the Central LHIN, ASCO works collaboratively with five other agencies that provide addictions and mental health care, among other services. As one of the largest providers of addiction services in Ontario, ASCO has a breadth of services and through its Wellness Collaborative partners, the breadth of services available to individuals is even greater. ASCO and its Wellness Collaborative partners are also well connected in the community to ensure smooth and seamless referrals to other programs and services in the community. As well, ASCO is actively involved in several Ontario Health Teams, which has created even greater networks and referral pathways for individuals in need.
With the establishment of sixwithdrawal management beds in York Region, this 24/5 Bed-Based Withdrawal Management service will be an important one in the continuum of care for individuals seeking support for their addiction(s). Individuals who attend the withdrawal management bed-based services will be connected to withdrawal management professionals that are committed to provide the supports necessary during their stay and assist in connecting them to other programs and services upon discharge.
Addiction Services Central Ontario is seeking a highly motivated and energetic individual for the position of Addictions Counsellor 1, in the Bed-Based Withdrawal Management Centre, working in an interdisciplinary team setting.
This position will be based in the Bed-Based Withdrawal Management Centre located at 241 Hanlan Road, Woodbridge (Caritas), reporting to the Assigned Supervisor.
ASCO is required to follow all public health and provincial directives as well as of those of our Ontario Health Team partners as related to the pandemic and other health issues that may come forward, including but not limited to vaccination requirements.
This is a full-time contract position until March 31, 2026, for 35 hours per week. Weekend shifts may be required. The hourly wage rate is $31.67.
Schedule Hours: (shift hours are subject to change based on program needs):
Day shift hours
Monday 8am-4pm
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 7:30 am - 3:30 pm
Friday: 7:30- 3:30 pm, 8am-4pm.
Afternoon Shift Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday:1:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Friday: 7:30-3:30pm, or 8am-4pm.
Why work at ASCO?
- HOOPP Pension Plan available for all Contract Full-time and Part-time staff
- 3 weeks’ Vacation earned in the first year (accrued monthly); 4 weeks Vacation earned second year (accrued monthly)
- 3 Flex Days to be taken throughout the year
- 15 days’ Paid Personal time (accrued monthly)
- Education Allowance provided up to $300 per fiscal year
- 5 Education Days per fiscal year provided for personal and professional development
- Comprehensive Benefits package
- Employee Assistance Plan
- Various employer-paid training programs
- Mileage reimbursement when required
- Free on-site parking
- Perkopolis Membership available
Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Assessing the level, pattern, and dynamics of substance use by an individual, as well as the client’s overall functioning, including physical and mental health, and their social support network dynamics.
- Providing an assessment of the clients current substance use using standardized tools
- Re-assess the client’s substance use, mental health, and goals for services regularly
- Providing withdrawal management support during the clients stay at the bed-based withdrawal management centre
- Provide direct service to clients as assigned by the Supervisor
- Developing a treatment plan and selecting appropriate strategies on the basis of information gathered through the assessment processes
- Providing either written or verbal information regarding the assessment summary to the client and to referral sources that request this information
- Assisting the client informally to identify problems and goals
- Develop and implement, with the client, a formal, systematic, and ongoing goal setting process that includes: identification of perceived problems, negotiation of specific functional targets and attendant courses of action as well as ongoing re-evaluation of the goals and plans
- Support and guide the client in reaching his/her goals and in solving selected, practical problems
- Provide sills teaching to clients and/or staff in selected areas of functioning attendant to rehabilitation for substance use through general instruction
- Formal skills teaching to clients and/or staff using counselling approaches, skills coaching and related activities
- Collaborating with the client to develop a discharge plan from the bed-based withdrawal management program by supporting the client in the development of a recovery plan, and connection to resources and community services
- Redirect individuals whose assess needs cannot be met on a short-term, outpatient basis to appropriate specialized (e.g. medical, psychiatric, inpatient or day addictions treatment, family therapy) programs
- Provide formal, structured follow-up and intervene as necessary and appropriate
- Providing appropriate clinical intervention and addiction counselling to clients
- Provide systematic clinical intervention using multiple psychotherapeutic modalities specific to addiction support, and direction of the client’s functioning and situation in order to facilitate the development of specific insights and solutions
- Provide supportive intervention and problem-solving assistance related to practical issues
- Ensuring continuity of service to clients through a continuous process of service matching, co-ordination and outreach to resource
- Identify that client requires medical/psychiatric intervention and assist the client to obtain appropriate help
- Provide systematic, short-term, and structured counselling to individuals, groups or families in relation to specific issues
- Ensuring counselling is conducted with an Anti-Oppression and Anti-Racism (AOAR) framework and through an AOAR lens
- Acting on behalf of and/or with the client by representing the client's needs as required in order to both accomplish the client's goals and teach self-advocacy skills
- Working with the client and/or their family system/subsystem to develop or restore the client's natural support system - family, friends, co-workers, church, etc
- Establishing relationships with other community groups and relevant services that will support the client's functioning
- Facilitating group casework meetings that are consistent with program services and goals
- Participating in Group Services delivery upon completion of orientation, shadowing and training
- Providing accessible casework services that are tailored to the local community's needs and participating in inter-agency committee work at selected satellite offices
- Maintaining client records including progress notes, service delivery logs and discharge summaries
- Educating community agencies and professional groups as assigned by the Clinical Supervisor
- Participate in both regular individual and group supervision/training and regular observation of casework with your Assigned Supervisor
- Continuously upgrade skills by attending related courses and reading relevant literature
- Participate in regular administrative team meetings and in improving service delivery process
- Contribute to management information systems and program statistical reports
- Develop special reports including Ad-Hoc reports as requested
- Co-ordinate and facilitate psycho educational and therapeutic groups to divers clients with substance use issues that are consistent with program services and goals
- Participating in in-house peer consultation/supervision and staff training programs
- Drive/Operate and provide services on the Mobile Rapid Access Addictions Medicine (M-RAAM) unit, when assigned
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
- College Diploma in one of the sciences or a health-related discipline, with a considerable knowledge of substance use issues
- Member or member in progress with one of the regulatory colleges under the Regulated Health Professionals Act (ex: College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario; Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers)
- Significant knowledge and experience in varieties of counseling models including systemic intervention models
- Experience working with an interdisciplinary team setting, a strong asset.
- Experience working with family members whose loved ones have substance use concerns, a strong asset.
- Ability to do addiction assessments independently and provide comprehensive treatment planning and treatment to clients with addiction issues
- Ability to facilitate psycho educational and process groups to diverse clients with substance use issues
- Ability to foster a strong therapeutic alliance with clients
- Ability to assess and provide treatment through a strengths-based framework
- Knowledge and experience in harm reduction strategies
- Sound knowledge, awareness and understanding of anti-oppression and anti-racism (AOAR) practices
- Comfortable with using all technology for virtual sessions, including face-to-face sessions
- Proven ability to do presentations to clients, the general public and other service providers
- Excellent organizational and administrative skills
- The ability to work independently
- Excellent English communication skills, both written and verbal
- The ability to provide services in French and any additional languages a definite asset
- A working knowledge of data management systems
Other Requirements
- Valid driver’s license; ability to travel in own vehicle with appropriate insurance coverage
- A successful Police Vulnerable Sector Check, as per agency policy and protocol
Please apply by sending your resume and cover letter detailing what interests you about this opportunity and experience you have that sets you apart from others.
Internal Applicants can apply by logging onto ADP, go to Myself > Talent > Career Centre.
External Applicants: Apply online.
Application Deadline: Until Filled.
The process we will undertake to recruit for this role includes:
- Initial screening of resumes and covering letters
- Those who are successful in moving through the initial screening process, will be asked to participate in a brief telephone interview
- Those who are successful in the telephone interview will be asked to attend a face-to-face interview to gain a better understanding of the role, as well as, provide you the opportunity to discuss how your experience fits well with this opportunity.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from diverse individuals who self-identify on the basis of any of the protected grounds under the Human Rights Code, and we encourage you to reflect upon the diversity you would bring to this role within your application. We are wholly committed to integration and to building a diverse, inclusive, accessible and respectful workplace where every employee has a voice and is given the opportunity to fully contribute, ensuring an equal employment environment without discrimination or harassment, while maintaining the independence of individuals and removing barriers to accessibility in the workplace. We remain committed to full compliance with the Human Rights Code, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and all other applicable legislation.
ASCO is committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons/persons of colour, women, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2 persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.Applicants who require special accommodation in order to complete their application/interview are encouraged to contact our HR representative of the accommodation measures required which will enable you to be interviewed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.
WE WELCOME ALL APPLICATIONS, HOWEVER ONLY THOSE SELECTED FOR AN INTERVIEW WILL BE CONTACTED
