Wellness Counsellor

POSITION:                           WELLNESS COUNSELLOR

HOUR OF WORK:              FULL-TIME, PERMANENT (35 HRS/WEEK)

REPORTS TO:                     Wellness Director

WAGE:                                  $43.96 - $45.00/per hour

POSITION SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Wellness Director, the Counsellor is responsible for providing comprehensive mental health, addictions and trauma services for the SȾÁUTW̱ First Nation Community. The Counsellor assists individuals and groups of clients to identify, understand and overcome personal difficulties and achieve personal goals by providing direct, community-based, culturally sensitive mental health, addictions, and trauma counselling services at SȾÁUTW̱. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develops and implement treatment plans for individuals and/or families from assessments utilizing a wide variety of interventions and treatment modalities.
• Provide counselling services to clients with substance use issues, suffering from post traumatic stress, family violence and mental health issues.
• Provide assessment, referral, participates in discharge planning and follow up counselling, following in-patient treatment for mental health/addictions-related hospitalization and residential treatment.
• Provides community awareness and educational workshops/seminars on mental health/addictions issues.
• Interprets client’s assessment results and assesses urgency and risk of harm to self or others, intervenes to reduce risk. Explains assessment results to client and others involved with the client such as family members and other service providers.
• Completes intake, client case notes/records, treatment records, referral letters and other documentation as required in the format set out by the SȾÁUTW̱ First Nation Wellness Services.
• Provides reports and case management notes to assist clients in understanding treatment protocols and/or treatment plans.
• Participates in mental health/addictions program evaluation, data collection activities and other program design and delivery initiatives; evaluates therapeutic counselling and treatment outcomes to determine the best service for clients.
• Participates actively in community interagency meetings regarding mental health/addiction issues.
• Provides referrals to other agencies or services for further assessment, treatment and/or management.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• A graduate degree in counselling M.A/ M.Ed. or M.S.W or equivalent;
• Professional counselling or mental health-related certification;
• Minimum of three years of relevant counselling experience in the area of addictions, trauma and mental health is required;
• Knowledge of child/adolescent and adult development, psychological/social/cognitive development;
• Knowledge of family development and traditional and culturally informed family practices;
• Knowledge of SȾÁUTW̱ First Nations cultural protocols/traditional practices is desirable;
• Knowledge of different referral agencies/services available within British Columbia for those individuals who may require in-patient or alternative (i.e., psychiatric) assessment and care;
• Knowledge of relevant legislation related to mental health, child/family services and an understanding of the Duty to Report;
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality in performing the duties of the Mental Health/Addictions/Trauma Counsellor. Must adhere to the SȾÁUTW̱ First Nation Standards of Conduct as well as his/her professional Code of Ethics;
• May represent SȾÁUTW̱ First Nation externally in a manner that enhances Tsawout First Nation’s credibility and reputation.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Sound organizational skills and extremely detail-oriented;
• Ability to exercise initiative and courtesy and to assess situations and recommend solutions;
• Ability to work independently with limited direction, act on own initiative, set own priorities and meet tight or changing deadlines;
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and to exercise sound judgment and discretion when dealing with sensitive issues;
• Ability to foster and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues and external contacts;
• Strong work ethic including the ability to take initiative; to attend work on a regular and consistent basis, and to demonstrate a collaborative approach to problem solving.

OTHER FACTORS

Culture/Language

Respect for and working knowledge of the Tsawout culture is required.

Personal Attributes

The Wellness Counsellor maintains strict confidentiality in performing their duties and demonstrates the following personal attributes: Respect, Empathy, Strength, Pride and Equality

Our Benefits package includes:

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance

Preference may be given to qualified individuals of First Nation Ancestry.

Apply now and join our team!