Counsellor

KEY FUNCTION: 

Provide direct and indirect support to staff, patients and physicians within the Emergency Department and inpatient units across HSN for the management of behavioural risk  interventions. Complete risk assessments, crisis counselling and ensure connections to services for individuals presenting with behavioural concerns.

REPORTING:     

Under the general direction of the Coordinator, Urgent Response and Care Transitions.

DUTIES:

1. Respond to individuals likely to demonstrate or have identified high risk behaviours requiring support.
2. Support the completion of behaviour risk assessments for high risk individuals.
3. Provide Behavioural Intervention services utilizing various techniques of care (i.e. motivational interviewing, brief solution focused therapy, recovery model, stages of change, harm reduction, trauma informed care).
4. Provide preventative interventions with individuals and other members of the health care team.
5. Recommend comfort support plans based on clinical assessment of risk to service recipients and inpatient team.
6. Work in collaboration with hospital staff, physicians, community partners and others as required.
7. Foster and promote positive change and independence in those individuals served.
8. Provide support and education to caregivers and/or the service recipients’ personal support network.
9. Provide encouragement, emotional support and motivation to service recipients.
10. Respond in a professional and therapeutic manner to various incidents and emergencies.
11. Participate in active response to code white situations and debriefing of staff and individual post events.
12. Survey workforce to understand concerns, frequency of incidents, perceptions of security, and suggested actions to improve workplace violence situations.
13. Support the development and review new or existing policies, procedures and practices related to high risk  behaviours, monitoring (i.e. zero tolerance policy) and expectations for reporting (i.e. safety, incident reports).
14. Develop and teach education/training curriculum for all HSN employees related to the management of behavioural escalations.
15. Work with existing protocol partners.
16. Determine and align improvement projects with HSN’s Strategic Plan; monitor and adjust to achieve goal outcomes.
17. Participate in education and training specific to current, relevant federal and provincial health and safety legislation, standards and guidelines.
18. Educate and promote health, safety and wellness in the work place.
19. Represent the department or program on various committees and in meetings as required. 
20. Perform other duties as required. 

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND TRAINING: 

1. Minimum of a four (4) year Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from an accredited college/university.
2. Current Certificate of Registration in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers is required.
3. Current certificate in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention is required.
4. Completion of Critical Incident Stress Debriefing training, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills training, Trauma Informed Care training, Violence Threat Risk Assessment training, and Brief Solution Focused Therapy training is preferred.
5. Ministry of Labour “Worker Health and Safety Awareness in 4 Steps” training certificate is required.

EXPERIENCE: 

1. Minimum of five (5) years full-time equivalent experience working on an adult inpatient psychiatric unit or Crisis Intervention Program.
2. Minimum of two (2) years full-time equivalent experience (within the last five (5) years) in community mental health or addictions setting.
3. Experience working with people with mental health and addictions issues who have experienced conflicts with the law and exposure to the criminal justice system is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES: 

1. Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the Criminal Justice system.
2. Demonstrated knowledge of Medical Terminology, Mental Health Act, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), the Ontario Human Rights Code, Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA), and other relevant legislation.
3. Demonstrated knowledge of trauma-informed care (e.g. understanding the impacts of physical, psychological and emotional trauma).
4. Demonstrated ability to educate others to support effective strategies for supporting those affected by trauma.
5. Demonstrated knowledge and ability to navigate Ontario’s mental health and addictions, developmental services and community support service sectors.
6. Demonstrated strong relationship-building skills to develop and reinforce clients’ social supports, connections to resources and events that foster social relationships, reduce loneliness, and leverage motivation to live fully.
7. Demonstrated practical comprehension of intersectional oppression (i.e. ability to understand and discuss how marginalization, discrimination, racism, misogyny, trauma, etc. affect individuals’ ability to live stably and fully).
8. Demonstrated strong assessment and organizational skills to develop a holistic service plan.
9. Demonstrated motivational interviewing skills to capitalize on client’s motivation.
10. Demonstrated training, experience or utilization of quality improvement methodology for process improvement.
11. Demonstrated ability to independently identify issues, plan improvements, measure success and continue improvement.
12. Demonstrated excellent computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office software (e.g. Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook) and patient information systems.
13. Demonstrated superior interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
14. Demonstrated effective time management and organizational skills with the ability to organize and prioritize as required.
15. Demonstrated discretion and maturity when handling confidential information.
16. Demonstrated commitment to the safety of co-workers and patients.
17. Demonstrated excellent judgment and proven analytical skills.
18. Demonstrated ability to mentor students and support personnel.
19. Demonstrated knowledge of current trends in general health care and community resources.

PERSONAL SUITABILITY: 

1. Successful Vulnerable Sector Check is required.
2. Proven ability to work independently and in a team environment.
3. Demonstrated ability to perform with minimal supervision; to prioritize duties.
4. Ability to use tact and discretion in dealing with health care providers and patients.
5. Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development.
6. Demonstrated professionalism in dealing with confidential and sensitive issues.
7. Demonstrated positive work record and good attendance record.
8. Ability to meet the physical and sensory demands of the job.
9. Valid driver’s license with access to reliable vehicle and relevant insurance.
10. Ability to travel between local sites.
11. Demonstrated ability to work flexible hours as required.

Selection Process:  Candidates will be selected for this position on the basis of their skill, ability, experience and qualifications as identified in the resume and completed Application Form submitted. The Hospital reserves the right to conduct a formal interview where required.
 

Health Sciences North is committed to providing accommodations to applicants with disabilities to enable their participation in the recruitment, assessment, selection and hiring stages of employment.

HSN THANKS ALL APPLICANTS.
ONLY THOSE SELECTED FOR INTERVIEWS WILL BE CONTACTED.
WE WILL NOT ACCEPT APPLICATIONS AFTER THE CLOSING DATE AND TIME.