Clinical Counsellor, Mental Health & Substance Use Services

Detailed Overview

Reporting to the Manager, Clinical Operations and under the direction of the Coordinator, the Clinical Counsellor provides consultation, assessment, short term case management and clinical counselling services on complex cases to individuals and families, who present at outpatient clinics, with and affected by serious and persistent mental disorders and/or substance misuse. Assesses referred clients, arranges for them to be seen by the Psychiatrist and/or accepts the client for short term case management or makes referrals to other community services where appropriate.

As part of the interdisciplinary team assists in the development of shared care plans and provides comprehensive case consultation and follow-up support on treatment decisions in collaboration with members of the interdisciplinary team. Assists in the evaluation of the program and in monitoring quality improvement activities, standards of practice, policies and procedures; collects data and maintains clinical records. Responsibilities Provides comprehensive clinical counselling and psychotherapy to clients affected by mental illness and/or addictions, chronic disease or complex cases including people in crisis, utilizing a variety of clinically sound psychotherapeutic techniques.

Assesses client needs and available services and contributes to the shared care plan with the clients input. Facilitates clients' utilization of appropriate community services and rehabilitative programs through methods such as researching available services, liaising with the service and program providers and providing advice and consultation to colleagues. Screens referrals from the interdisciplinary team by gathering background information, determining service priorities and providing rapid response to urgent referrals, providing outreach, crisis intervention, and short-term treatment stabilization, and referral.

Provides short term brief interventions, follows-up, monitors, and evaluates treatment outcomes. Delivers group therapy and education sessions to clients and their families by using various group processes and theory. Identifies gaps and problems with service and recommends solutions to assist in the development and maintenance of a coordinated mental health care system within the community. Provides education on mental health issues to interdisciplinary shared care team in conjunction other MH&SU team members or with Psychiatrist, community groups and agencies;

presents information/education sessions to professional colleagues and other government/non-government agencies. Carries out treatment plans and interventions, provision of support and crisis intervention, including facilitation of hospitalization where necessary. Facilitates the process of cognitive, emotional and behavioral change utilizing crisis intervention and short-term psychotherapy based on treatment goals. Provides referral to appropriate agencies and collaborative information sharing of psychiatric situations including substance abuse/dependence.

Facilitates clients' utilization of appropriate community services by keeping knowledgeable about other services and liaising with them; collaborates with key agencies in order to ensure clients receive appropriate and timely service delivery and continuity of care. Maintains written reports and statistics and prepares written reports according to established polices and procedures. Identifies gaps in service in order to offer more comprehensive care in the Physicians office.

Communicates and consults with psychiatrists and interdisciplinary shared care team regarding client care and progress. Performs other related duties as required. Qualifications

Education and Experience Masters in Counseling Psychology, Social Work or other related discipline from an accredited educational institution. Two years of recent related experience in community and/or hospital settings providing programs for individuals with mental health and substance use disorders, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Skills and Abilities

Comprehensive clinical counselling and therapy skills including crisis counselling. Demonstrated clinical skills in working with the seriously mentally ill. Thorough knowledge of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) as a therapeutic modality. Demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of mental health psychiatric assessment skills, crisis intervention techniques, de-escalation techniques, brief/short-term therapy skills and interventions, abnormal psychology, general counselling theory/principles, DSM IV multi-axial diagnosis, community response procedures, community resource utilization and knowledge of psycho-pharmacology used in psychiatric treatment.

Demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of substance misuse, relapse prevention and harm reduction. Ability to undertake client assessment tools. Demonstrated ability to deal with others effectively, including establishing and maintaining rapport with…