Adult Substance Use Counsellor

CAPS Program, Chilliwack
Regular Full Time (35 hours weekly) |  Grid 13 ($30.86 - $32.18/hour)  |  Reporting to: Manager, Chilliwack Health & Housing Centre

Pacific Community Resources Society is committed to diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from people of all gender identities and expressions, persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, and visible minorities. Persons who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact our HR department at hr@pcrs.ca. Personal information will be kept confidential.

Opportunity

The Adult Substance Use Counsellor is a member of Chilliwack Addiction and Prevention Services (CAPS) who will provide individual substance use support, groups, and treatment referral services to adults (aged 19+) residing in Chilliwack. The primary role of the CAPS counsellor is to engage in one-to-one counselling and the facilitation of groups. Group work could include: facilitation of your own group, co-leadership of groups with other PCRS staff and volunteers, professionals working for other agencies, and/or “peer mentors”. Certification in “Smart Recovery” facilitation is a bonus, and experience with Substance-Affected/Family & Friends group support is also desired. 

This position requires case management of a very active caseload. One-to-one counselling includes weekly intake and program orientation, client assessment, and the development of service goals with the participant.  This role requires a sound understanding of substance use, mental health, addictions theory, motivational interviewing, trauma-informed practice and a harm reduction approach. Time management and organizational skills are a necessary bonus in this busy program.
PCRS works alongside Fraser Health’s expectations in delivering a Harm Reduction model.

Responsibilities

Maintains Administrative Policies:
•    Participates in following the policies and procedures of PCRS, including all internal training expectations, and following CARF accreditation standards.
•    Attends and participates in all supervision and staff meetings, training sessions, committee meetings, and agency all-staff meetings.
•    Communicates effectively with both co-workers and supervisors.
•    Maintains appropriate group and case files and documentation.
•    Completes quarterly reporting to the program Manager as required, for stats and HONOS.

To Provide One-to-One Treatment and Support Services:
•    Understands the importance of the role of case management and goal setting. Able to work with the client to establish mutually acceptable goals.
•    Provides both insight and practical goal-focused counselling strategies while maintaining a safe and respectful environment.
•    Completes assessments, as needed, for suicide risk, safety risk, and reporting purposes.
•    Develops a written treatment plan in conjunction with the client.
•    Formalizes in writing specific service goals arising out of the treatment plan.
•    Completes treatment referrals and subsidy applications through our Coordinated Access Team
•    Explains the Program’s expectations and confidentiality policy to the participant and obtains a written consent to treatment.
•    Maintains case notes describing significant treatment related information.
•    Engages in periodic evaluation and review of treatment goals and re-negotiates goals as is appropriate.
•    Produces detailed written assessments and discharge reports as required by agency policy.
•    Engages in regular communication to the Manager and reports unusual occurrences immediately.
•    Engages in day-to-day liaison activities with relevant professionals and community members.

To Operate Groups:
•    Develops group programming that is relevant to our determined needs.
•    Provides both insight and practically focused counselling while maintaining a safe group environment.
•    Acts as a positive role model for group members; creates a safe inclusive respectful group environment.

To Maintain Health and Safety: 
•    Handles emergency situations safely and in accordance with agency policy.
•    Maintains good safety practices and a preventative approach.
•    Understands the stresses of the job and takes steps to prevent personal burn-out.

Qualifications

• B.A. in related field (Social Work, Counselling) plus 3 years of related experience in the field of substance use and treatment.
• Substance Use Counselling Training
• Criminal Records Check including for work with the vulnerable sector
• Basic First Aid Certificate
• Mental Health First Aid
• Basic Computer skills
• Harm Reduction knowledge
• Trauma-Informed practice

Additional Assets

• Knowledge of brain-based disabilities (brain injury, FASD), concurrent mental health issues,  barriers to support, addictions theory, motivational theory, the effects of abuse and trauma
• Awareness of the local Chilliwack community and its resources
• Certification in Smart Recovery facilitation
• Cultural sensitivity training, and knowledge of Chilliwack’s local Indigenous communities and the impact of colonialism and residential schools

About PCRS

Pacific Community Resources Society (PCRS) is a large not-for-profit agency that serves some of the most vulnerable people in our communities from Vancouver to Hope. We work with youth and vulnerable adults in the areas of education, employment, housing, substance use and mental health, and youth and family support services. We are CARF Accredited and a Certified Living Wage Employer.

We are grateful to operate on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the xʷm əθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh), Qw'?ntl'en (Kwantlen), se’mya’me (Semiahmoo), sc̓əwaθən məsteyəxʷ (Tsawwassen), q̓ic̓əy (Katzie), kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Coquitlam), qiqéyt (Qayqayt), máthxwi (Matsqui) and Stó:lō Nations.

Our Vision     Everyone thriving in strong, healthy communities!

Our Mission   To inspire healthy and inclusive communities through leadership and collaboration.

Our Values    Advocacy, Diversity and Inclusion, Empowerment, Service Excellence, Stewardship, Well-being

We Offer Our Staff

• Equitable Base Pay – we are a Certified Living Wage Employer
• Generous paid vacation time, personal time, sick time; additional paid time off for life events
• Additional paid holidays, ex. Easter Monday, Boxing Day *
• Extended health, prescription, dental & vision care plan, with 100% Employer-Paid Premiums*
• Disability and Life Insurance Coverage *
• Employee & Family Assistance Program including preventative health & counselling *
• Membership in the Municipal Pension Plan with generous employer contributions *
• Flexible schedules and earned time off program *
• Full-day agency orientation and extensive training, with regular ongoing performance evaluations
• In-house digital and classroom learning opportunities; staff funding for professional development *
• Opportunities to use your voice & participate in committees on policy, wellness, safety, EDI, etc.

* Eligibility will vary depending on terms and role requirements – details for this posting will be provided on request.