Mental Health Counsellor Travel Level 2

Nodin Mental Health Services (MHS) is Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority's mental health department. It is a resource available to First Nation children, youth, adults and families from 33 remote northern communities served by SLFNHA. Nodin MHS has several services: intake, counsellors travelling to communities, a crisis response program, community-based children's mental health and addiction workers, traditional healing, youth school counsellors, and an outpatient mental health service (OMHS).

The Mental Health Counsellor travels to First Nations communities to provide counselling to children, youth, adults and families, support/guidance, intervention, crisis management, group work and case management services. This counsellor works in close collaboration with all community resources and assists with capacity building. When not travelling, upon request, this position may also be required to work in the Sioux Lookout based outpatient mental health service.

The salary for the position is $85,985 to $110,682/annually.

Qualifications:

• Persons of First Nations ancestry will be given preference (OHRC, Part II, Special Employment)
• Minimum level of education required is equivalent to high school graduation and completion of a diploma training program, specific to mental health at a recognized college
• Registration with a recognized professional body and/or to become registered within a year of commencing employment
• Minimum 1 year related mental health counselling experience is required
• Knowledge and experience with different talking therapies (e.g. cognitive behavioural therapy, group therapy, motivational counselling, family systems therapy)
• Can approach work holistically using a wellness model which highlights and encourages client's strengths
• Strong set of interpersonal skills to establish and maintain rapport effectively with clients and partners
• Asset to have training in assessing risk of suicide, suicide intervention, trauma informed care, substance abuse/addiction, intergenerational trauma, grief, self-harm, psychiatric disorders etc.
• Ability to work with children, youth, adults and families
• Knowledge of mandatory reporting requirements
• Must have experience assessing high risk clients and responding appropriately
• Experience developing presentations and facilitating group work/therapy
• Proficient in typing and competent in the use of computers
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Accuracy and strong attention to detail is a must
• Strong interviewing, analytical, problem-solving, organizational and time management skills
• Self-starter to work independently with initiative and highly adaptable
• Support system and self-care strategies in place to maintain own wellbeing
• Knowledge of the people, culture and mental health priorities of First Nations communities in the Sioux Lookout region
• Ability to communicate in one or more of the First Nations dialects of the Sioux Lookout region will be an asset
• Previous experience working with First Nations communities is an asset
• Ability to communicate in one of the First Nations dialects of the Sioux Lookout region is an asset
• The ability to perform the requirements of the position on a regular basis.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Extensive travel to First Nations communities to provide counselling, support/guidance, intervention, crisis management, family counselling, group work and case management
• Conduct mental health assessments, help clients define goals and develop treatment plans
• Assessment of risk factors, clinical management of risk, stabilization, development of safety plans
• Develop therapeutic processes to guide clients in the development of skills and strategies for dealing with their problems
• Focus sessions on recovery, modification of behaviours or better management of conditions
• Evaluate client's progress on a regular basis and adjust interventions as necessary
• Coordinate care, collaborate and refer to community/regional resources or specialists
• Maintain accurate, factual, and objective typewritten records in a timely manner on all aspects of clinical care
• Monitor files closely to ensure there is active care, and close inactive files without delay
• Protect client confidentiality, secure all records, and maintain integrity of client record
• Follow duty to report requirements as necessary
• Lead group therapy sessions and conduct mental wellness workshops
• Participate in regular supervision meetings to review all cases/issues, receive education and direction, and for debriefing
• Planning community trips/schedules in advance to ensure clients and communities receive services in a timely and effective manner
• Participate in ongoing education on mental health issues and team meetings
• Develop and deliver presentations and group work in-house as requested
• Develop and maintain good working relationships with community-based mental health workers and provide mentoring support
• Other duties that may be deemed necessary by your immediate Supervisor