Mental Health Counsellor

internal/external posting

job title: Mental Health Counsellor

job ID #: CHCBI MHC 22-1223

department: Community Health and Capacity Building Initiative

reports to: Manager, Manager – Community Health

salary range: CS4 $29.91 – $37.10 per hour

status: Full-Time, 3-year contract with possibility of extension

hours: 37.5 hours per week

Who we are:

Sherbourne is a leading provider of quality health care and transformative support to people who face social, economic and other systemic barriers.   Our mission is to advance the equity and quality of care and services and to improve health for underserved communities.  This is done through primary health and chronic disease services; health promotion and education; outreach and social supports; and mental health services.

Sherbourne provides innovative health care and social services to the diverse urban population of southeast Toronto.  While our doors are open to everyone, we focus on people who are homeless or under-housed; LGBT2SQ, and newcomers to Canada.  We are funded by the Ministry of Health, Ontario Health, Ministry of Child and Youth Services, City of Toronto and many generous companies, groups and individuals.

Working at Sherbourne

At Sherbourne Health, we care about our staff and recognize that our biggest strength is our people. We have a solid commitment to life-long learning which is demonstrated through our professional development program. We invest in collective work and staff training to improve client care. We supplement this by creating a low-barrier work environment built on equity and respect, while working together in caring, cohesive teams and providing opportunities for advancement.

we believe in work-life balance and offer:

  • Paid time off (prorated to part time hours)
  • A competitive salary.
  • Membership in Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP).
  • Paid professional development days per year – related to position/responsibilities.

about the role:

The mental health counselor will work with newcomers to Canada, including vulnerable sub-populations. They will provide timely, short-term therapy, counseling including crisis counseling, and case management support.  The role will include both one-on-one and group work.

Duties include:  Assessment and support services to newcomer individuals, couples or families. Develops, implements, and evaluates short term treatment plans. Provide culturally competent support. Assist clients to access community support. Conducts outreach and community engagement. Collaborates with partners and other stakeholders in order to provide mental health services in spaces that newcomers access.

day to day responsibilities:

Direct Service:

  • Provides holistic assessment and support services to individuals presenting with mental/ emotional health or substance use issues.
  • Ensures that appropriate treatment plans are developed, implemented, and evaluated in collaboration with clients.
  • Monitors client progress adjusting plans as necessary, links to and coordinates required services while coordinating client care.
  • Offers counseling or therapy services within a 25-session service model directly or makes referrals to a more suitable service outside Sherbourne
  • Assists clients to access community supports, housing, welfare, legal or other social or health services and advocates on their behalf where needed.
  • Active member of a multidisciplinary team
  • Participates in regular client conferences;
  • Engages in discussion of possible resolutions to client care issues;
  • Discusses initiatives and improvements to increase the quality of service provided to clients.
  • Works with clients and community groups to diminish social isolation and promote participation in community networks and activities.
  • Provides clients with opportunities to evaluate their progress and make choices regarding treatment/healing alternatives.
  • Develops, delivers and evaluates groups or workshops in partnership with other staff or other community organizations.
  • Assists clients to access community supports, housing, welfare, legal or other social or health services and advocates on their behalf where needed.
  • Completes forms, reports, and statistics as required by professional guidelines and Sherbourne policies.
  • Communicates effectively with other team members/caregivers to ensure optimum care within the boundaries of confidentiality and appropriate disclosure.
  • Acts as a resource to staff regarding mental health issues and participates with the multidisciplinary team in care planning.
  • Participates actively in the training of students from all disciplines.

 Professional, Community and Program Development, Education and Research

  • Identifies gaps in services or problems in service delivery and works with team members, other organizations and client groups to promote new or improved services.
  • As requested, attends organizational and community networks and committees to work on issues that are relevant to Sherbourne’s priority populations.
  • Participates in the development of policies and strategies that assist clients and communities to address the broad determinants of health.
  • Interest and ability to participate in research projects and education programs
  • Contributes to professional and public education by providing workshops, reports, articles and consultation.
  • Maintains a current knowledge of community resources pertinent to Sherbourne’s priority populations
  • Maintains up to date knowledge of new approaches, social policies and relevant legislation through active professional development and study.
  • Seeks out and participates in their own ongoing education and participates in professional activities that will enhance and develop their own professional growth.
  • Participates in training/professional development at Sherbourne and externally to ensure competence and best practices.

Administration          

  • Ensures that required documentation is available on the client’s health record in a timely manner that meets professional standards of practice.
  • Performs administrative tasks as related to the position, such as time management, scheduling, documentation, report preparation and other duties as required.
  • Collects and records required client data for statistical reporting and analysis.
  • Collaborates with team members to plan and implement Sherbourne initiatives and follows established policies and procedures.
  • Makes recommendations and contributes to policy formulation.
  • Participates in the development, implementation and evaluation of programs and standards of practice for service delivery with a continuous quality improvement focus.
  • Maintains current knowledge of relevant government acts and legislation.
  • Participates actively in Sherbourne meetings, committees, special events, etc as required.

To thrive in this role, you’ll need

 education:

  •  Education at Masters level in social science or health discipline and at least 3 years’ experience working with diverse newcomer and refugee populations including LGBTQ newcomers or the equivalent blend of undergraduate degree in a similar discipline, additional formal training and transferable experience.
  • Current registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, College of Registered Psychotherapists, or relevant professional college in the scope of the Regulated Health Professionals Act

experience:

  • At least three years of experience providing mental health and case management support to newcomer communities or equivalent blend
  • Experience in outreach and community engagement with newcomer clients
  • Experience running mental health support groups for newcomers and refugees including LGBTQ newcomers
  • Excellent organizational and time management skills and ability to work and deliver within tight timelines
  • Experience working in an interdisciplinary team
  • Familiarity with client databases

skills and abilities:

  • Ability to provide tailored services that meets the needs of newcomer population, including sub-populations marginalized by issues such as homophobia, transphobia, stigma, discrimination, poverty, violence, refugee status, sexism and homelessness
  • Demonstrated understanding of the importance of health and mental health in the newcomer settlement experience
  • Ability to understand and apply principles of crisis and suicide intervention and critical incident debriefing
  • Excellent organizational and time management skills and ability to work and deliver within tight timelines
  • Excellent report writing and presentation skills
  • Fluency in a second language
  • Strong PC/Software skills

conditions of employment:

  • Offer of employment is contingent upon satisfactory outcome of background checks i.e., professional references, education verification, criminal background check, and vulnerable sector check.
  • Understands and works within the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA), Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), the Ontario Human Rights Code and other relevant legislation.

working conditions:

  •  The regular hours of this position are Monday to Friday, however there will be work required on evening and weekends.
  • This position will be required to work out of more than one site
  • The position requires diplomacy in dealing with many stakeholders, considerable multi-tasking, setting priorities as needed.

to apply: Please forward a cover letter and resume quoting Job ID # CHCBI MHC 22-1223 to myjob@sherbourne.on.ca by January 13,2022 at 5:00pm.

Sherbourne is dedicated to building an organization that reflects the diversity of our clients and the communities we serve. This includes diversity in languages spoken, culture, race, sexual orientation and gender identity. Requests for accommodation due to disability can be made at any stage in the recruitment process.

We thank all applicants for their interest but only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

BOLD.                  KIND.                   REAL.                   OPEN.                   WE CARE.