POSITION TITLE: Access Counselor Navigator

LOCATION: Toronto - Hybrid including some evening hours

SALARY RANGE: $64,000-67,000/year

APPLICATION CLOSING DATE: February 13, 2025 by 4:00p.m.

ABOUT US:

Mission: Partnering with young adults 16-29 years old and professionals to provide a collaborative, innovative model of mental health services.

Vision: Healthy, resilient young adults living the lives they choose.

Values: At Stella’s Place, we fundamentally value the capabilities and contributions of young adults, as we seek breakthrough innovations that benefit our community and society as a whole. We also value:

- Inclusiveness, diversity, and equity
- Accessibility and a sharing of knowledge
- Creativity along with a strengths-based approach

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Stella’s Place is a community-based, integrated mental health and treatment service for young adults (16-29 years). We utilize innovative clinical practices and processes that put young adults in the ‘driver’s seat’ of their own recovery plan. The Brief Navigation & Counseling program intends to support internal gaps and wait times for registered programs. Access programs serve individuals who need access to services faster than waiting for individual counseling.

The Stella’s Place Navigator Counselors provide innovative supportive counseling and navigation support to young adults ages 16 - 29 years old. The counseling offered is brief, recovery-oriented, strengths-based and solution-focused; our approach is participant-centered and collaborative. Stella’s Place Counsellor Navigator’s will utilize their clinical skills to work within a multidisciplinary team to deliver counseling in person, online and through our Bean Bag Chat platform to young adults who are experiencing mental health challenges.

In this role, you will work independently and collaboratively with Access Coordinators, Clinicians, Peer Ambassadors and other Counsellor Navigators who are a part of the Stella’s Place Community. Regular communication, coaching, mentoring, personal and professional development, and evaluation will take place with the Access Team Manager.

KEY FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

In your role as the Counsellor Navigator, you will provide mental health assessments and a range of interventions to support participants from a biopsychosocial approach. This will include outreach, assessment, time-limited counseling, resource navigation, and bridging case management. You will also be involved in leading and/or supporting programs and services.

Brief Navigation and Counseling

● Develop and maintain positive relationships with Participants in order to create individualized care plans and service navigation

● Provide support through evidence-based treatment models and approaches such as FACT, CBT and DBT, all through a brief focused counseling approach

● Continuously research and adopt clinical best practices and evidence based interventions

● Maintain a caseload of around 10-12 Participants while working independently, and identifying when to consult your team members and/or Access Programs Manager

● Scheduling counseling appointments with 3-4 Participants per day for 1-hour individual sessions

● Hold an understanding of support services in Toronto and the GTA

● Identify when a Participant may require crisis prevention and/or intervention, and effectively provide support in collaboration with the Access Programs Manager

● Execute risk assessments, and develop and implement safety plans when needed in consultation with the Access Programs Manager

● Support young adults to engage with both Stella’s Place services and external support networks

● Obtain necessary consents for the assessments, analysis and treatment plans, as well as following appropriate storage and retention methods to maintain privacy and security of documents

● Ensure appropriate documentation in our electronic client record is completed effectively and in a timely manner

Bean Bag Chat

● Provide online text support via Bean Bag Chat platform while working remotely between the hours of 5-9 PM

● Identify when a Participant may require crisis prevention and/or intervention, and effectively provide support

● Effectively utilize an on-call leader for support and guidance

Open Space Cafe and Access Programming (or “Other Responsibilities”)

● Support our Open Space Cafe with drop-in Participants, Cafe programming, and general on-site coverage

● Support with our Access and Clinical Programming and development when needed

● Provide direct support to the Access Team including small groups, provision of

coaching, education and training opportunities for ACs, Peer Ambassadors, and placement students

● Attend regular supervision meetings with the Access Programs Manager, and team meets with the Access Counselor Navigator Team

● Participates in team meetings, at least one committee and, planning meeting on request

● Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

● Minimum BSW degree or social service degree

● At least 2-years work experience in assessment and support of individuals with mental health

● At least 2-years of direct service experience working with people marginalized by issues such as racism, discrimination, newcomer and refugee status, homophobia, transphobia, stigma, poverty, violence, homelessness, substance use and/or mental health challenges

● Membership or registration with an accredited Ontario College or Clinical equivalent or a relevant professional college that falls under the Regulated Health Professions Act is an asset

● Experience working with young adults and a strong understanding of the social determinants of health and its impact on mental health and well-being in this population.

● Strong knowledge of postsecondary institution, the mental health challenges faced by young adults with mental health challenges and familiarity with navigating these barriers

● Experience as a therapist or counselor working with people with mental health and/or substance use issues

● Excellent knowledge of resources and the ability to navigate these services

● Demonstrated experience working collaboratively as a member of a multidisciplinary team

● Experience with Personal Health Record management and Health Information

● Custodian requirements; demonstrated ability to learn and use new software systems

● You will have clinical foundation, including skills / knowledge related to:

○ Unique developmental issues of transition-aged young adults

○ Evidence-based clinical program treatment modalities (e.g., CBT, DBT, ACT)

○ Assessment, goal setting, safety planning, and recovery planning

○ Whole health – fitness, nutrition, primary health, and mindfulness

● Excellent engagement and assessment skills

● Strong brief intervention skills such as solution focused, DBT or CBT approaches

● Commitment to working within an anti-oppressive framework and demonstrated understanding of the links between trauma and mental health, emotional health and substance use problems

● Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

● Significant comfort and skills utilizing technology to provide services including facilitating groups

● Completion of a Vulnerable Sector Screening check in the region you live

REPORTING AND HOURS

● This is a full-time position working 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday

● Some evenings and/or weekend hours will be required

● Report to the Access Manager, with training and supervision provided

COMPENSATION

- Salary range: $64,000-67,000/year

- A generous health and vacation package; including comprehensive medical, dental and

vision health benefits, 3 weeks vacation and 15 health days annually prorated to FTE.

Vacation increases after one year of service.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND ACCOMMODATION

Stella’s Place is committed to having a workforce that is reflective of the diversity of the City of Toronto in general and of our participants in particular. We strongly encourage applications from racialized persons, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression and all those who can provide and contribute to the diversification of perspectives at Stella’s Place.

Stella’s Place is committed to hiring practices that are inclusive and barrier-free. Stella’s Place will provide reasonable and appropriate accommodation during all stages of the hiring process in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code to ensure the equal and fair assessment of all job applicants. Applicants are asked to make any accommodation request in advance.

YOUR APPLICATION

Interested and qualified candidates are invited to submit their cover letter outlining your interest in working with Stella’s Place along with a detailed CV.

We thank all candidates for their interest.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $64,000.00-$67,000.00 per year

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