Youth Mental Health and Substance Use Counsellor (Virtual Care)

Job title: Youth Mental Health and Substance Use Counsellor (Virtual Care)

Job description: Job Description:

Summary

In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of Providence Health Care, the person promotes a safe, respectful, and civil working environment for patients, residents, families, visitors and staff.

Reporting to the Clinical Coordinator, Virtual Clinic Services, this position works as part of an interprofessional team to provide online clinical services to youth and young adults with, and affected by, mental health and substance use concerns. Assesses clients, determines referral needs, provides online individual counselling, group and family interventions, education, and liaises with community resources. Formulates and implements treatment plans and provides comprehensive case consultation and follow-up support on treatment decisions in collaboration with members of the interdisciplinary team. Participates in team and/or local committees, internal and external case conferences and quality improvement activities. Collaborates with other community service providers and related disciplines to provide education and training related to mental/substance use. Provides input into the development, evaluation and delivery of the Foundry Virtual Clinic Services.

Qualifications / Skills and Education

Education

Masters’ Degree in a relevant health related discipline such as Social Work, Clinical Counselling, or Clinical Psychology from an accredited university. Two (2) years’ recent, related experience working with youth and young adults across the mental health and substance use continuum including experience with interventions and evidence based treatment modalities, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Eligible for registration with affiliated professional body.

Skills and Abilities

Demonstrated knowledge of the broad range of issues pertaining to adolescent and young adult mental health and substance use issues, psychiatric diagnosis, and related evidence-based best treatment practices.

Demonstrated knowledge of community response procedures, general counselling principles and intervention techniques.

Demonstrated knowledge of Systems Theory and an ability to incorporate this into mental health assessments and interventions.

Demonstrated knowledge of relevant Acts such as Mental Health Act, Adult Guardianship Act, Health Care Consent Act, Freedom of Information Act, Child, Family and Community Service Act, pertinent regulations, policies and procedures, and other statutory duties.

Demonstrated ability to conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments that include mental health and substance use standardized frameworks and tools.

Demonstrated skill in crisis intervention with adolescents and families, and therapeutic skills in individual, group and family interventions.

Ability to create and maintain trusting relationships with youth and families as they define themselves.

Ability to work and communicate effectively with others in a multicultural environment, independently and as part of an interprofessional team and understanding the frameworks of other disciplines.

Proficiency in the use of personal computers to support service delivery including delivering services online and working with related word processing and database management software applications.

Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provides therapeutic clinical counselling services to clients, families and groups in designated program area by exploring problems and personal concerns, treatment objectives, and emotional responses; facilitating change in coping style, behaviour, attitude and feelings; participating with clients, families, interdisciplinary team members and community partners to coordinate services, facilitate meetings and make referrals to appropriate resources.

Conducts comprehensive psychosocial assessments, through online or phone formats, in designated program area using methods such as interviewing the client and/or family to obtain relevant information, gathering social data from acute and community collateral regarding the client’s family, supports, environment, culture, living situation and financial status and interpreting the data to therapeutically impact the client’s and family’s coping abilities.

Provides treatment services including brief intervention, crisis intervention, psychotherapy, family work, education, and support according to a variety of theoretical models to clients and their informal support network as required by methods such as assessing situation, eliciting concerns, exploring emotional response to illness, identifying goals and expectations, reviewing client and learning needs, assisting with understanding of illness, teaching coping strategies, and consulting with colleagues when required. Applies the principles of Trauma-informed and culturally safe care.

Assesses client needs and available services and develops care options with client input. Facilitates clients’ utilization of appropriate community services and rehabilitative programs through methods such as researching available services, liaising with service and program providers, advocating for services, and providing advice and consultation to colleagues.

Provides referrals to appropriate community treatment agencies and services including recovery and residential programs, victim assistance, employee assistance programs, clubhouses, transition homes, vocational programs, and other agencies. Utilizes available community resources such as volunteers, community groups, alternate care services and other service agencies to develop supportive and rehabilitative programs for clients and their families.

Delivers online group intervention services to specific client populations. Develops and coordinates groups including the necessary preparation, prioritizing, scheduling and arranging for space and other resources.

Formulates and implements care and treatment plans through methods such as negotiating a process for achieving goals, collaborating with members of the interprofessional team(s) and evaluating goals while maintaining respect for client dignity, self-determination and independence.

Maintains appropriate clinical records and data requirements in accordance with established standards and the Freedom of Information Act.

Participates in a variety of team and/or local committees and internal and external case conferences through engaging in practice evaluation, identifying opportunities for change, assessing available resources, initiating solutions and analyzing outcomes.

Develops content related to psychoeducational resources for clients, families and staff members in collaboration with an interprofessional team. Reviews relevant content and required handouts, conducts literature search, plans and coordinates seminars.

Collaborates with appropriate program staff and physicians in the development and delivery of staff and physician education and training related to mental health and addiction.

Provides teaching and supervision to student interns in own discipline as assigned by methods such as providing guidance and the opportunity to observe and take an active role in the treatment of social work clients.

Maintains knowledge of developments in own health profession including mental health and substance use through reviewing literature, consulting with clinical and community experts within the field, and participating in professional development and continuing education activities to improve care through new practices.

Participates in the ongoing development and evaluation of Foundry Virtual Care services by collaborating with members of the interprofessional team, providing input and making recommendations to the Program Leader and Director as requested.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Vaccination Flag

As per the current Public Health Orders (Long Term Care/Seniors Assisted Living Provincial Health Order and the Health Sector Order), as of October 26, 2021, all employees working for Providence Health Care must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Proof of vaccination status will be required.

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