Job Title: Mental Health Counsellor Services
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Shift: Morning, Night, Overnight
Wage: $ 56,806 $72,368 Annually
Prorated LOFT Community Services is a unique and dynamic charitable organization that supports people living with complicated issues such as mental and physical health challenges, substance use challenges, poverty and homelessness.
Serving approximately 19,633 annually and providing 1,861 units of supportive housing last year, LOFT is one of Ontario’s largest mental health service providers of its kind.
LOFT is also recognized as a Nonprofit Employer of Choice™ Award (NEOC) recipient. To help fulfill its mission, LOFT is hiring a Mental Health Counsellor .
Job Summary The Mental Health Counsellor will provide mental health care services to members of the community who face barriers accessing mainstream health services due to varying factors including chronic mental health and addictions issues.
The Mental Health Counsellor will collaborate with the multidisciplinary staff on the MATCH team with the Beyond Housing Project and its partners to provide comprehensive mental healthcare.
Beyond Housing is a pilot project and evaluation led by Dr. Stephen Hwang. It is a partnership with Unity Health Toronto, Dixon Hall Neighborhood Services, the Toronto Alliance to End Homelessness (TAEH), and LOFT Community Services to develop person-cantered approaches to help people experiencing chronic homelessness attain housing and supports.
It builds off the Housing First model, which is an evidence-based intervention that provides direct access to housing and supports for people experiencing homelessness.
Beyond Housing will enhance typical Housing First services by focusing on service coordination, mental health and wellness, and community connections.
The goal is not only to find permanent housing for people experiencing chronic homelessness, but to help people stay housed by providing them with customized community supports.
The Mental Health Counsellor will work collaboratively with the other team members at the LOFT long-term case management team, along with the MAP team (Unity Health), Dixon Hall staff, and the Care Conference Access Coordinator (TAEH).
What You Will Do Developing strong relationships with service providers and service users Providing assessment of service user and developing individual care plans Providing one on one counselling sessions to service users using therapeutic interventions that promote wellness and recovery Provide outreach counselling services to those who are not able to attend clinic based services Providing group sessions in the shelter and / or community, with a potential focus on coping skills, life skills, and / or social skills using different frameworks that could include DBT and CBT strategies Co-developing group sessions in the shelter and / or community to be led by other team members Providing consultations and collaboration with Beyond Housing partners and other community partners Liaising with the Case Conference Access Coordinator to identify support options available to clients.
Liaising with Long-Term Case Managers and providing client consultations when necessary Support connection and warm referral to ongoing mental health services in consultation with service users.
Promotion / education / counselling; history taking, screening, referral, and to inform appropriate follow up Monitor the ongoing needs of clients attached to the program to ensure stability of symptoms.
Ensure appropriate, comprehensive treatment is delivered by maintaining complete and accurate records using the electronic health record, participating in chart reviews, and discussing problem cases.
- Participate in administrative activities. Arranging for needed external services. Providing input into program development, delivery and evaluation;
- collecting statistical data as required by the agency; identifying areas of development with regards to policies, procedure and protocols;
participating in staff, team and other committees; and, liaising with other institutions, organizations and health and social service professionals.
Ensure continuous ongoing care of clients. Client crisis intervention and prevention planning within the agency and on an outreach basis in a timely manner.
Increase access to care and reduce avoidable hospitalizations and increase health and well-being. Providing group sessions (e.
g., skill building, working with grief) and trainings to front-line staff Supporting and working collaboratively with other team members Providing input around evaluation of the program through monitoring program outputs and participant outcomes What You Bring The Mental Health Counsellor will be a registered professional (e.
g., Social Worker, Occupational Therapist, Psychotherapist) May be under supervised practice or may be registered as an autonomous professional.
Minimum three years related experience in providing support to vulnerable people with special needs including mental health and addiction, complex physical health challenges and severe social isolation, who have experienced chronic homelessness.
Knowledge of psychosocial rehabilitation principles and practices, including an understanding of the philosophy of Recovery Knowledge of concurrent disorders and experience with harm reduction strategies and the continuum of addiction services Experience providing trauma informed care Demonstrated assessment skills A well-defined sense of diplomacy, including solid negotiation, conflict resolution, and people management skills.
An excellent understanding of harm reduction, recovery and psychosocial rehabilitation principles, the therapeutic relationship, and an ability to come to an agreement with clients on goals / priorities.
Crisis intervention skills, with well-developed problem solving abilities and interpersonal skills. Good oral and written communication skills Proficiency in computer skills and data management including MS Word, Excel, client databases and assessments.
Ability to structure time, develop work priorities independently, and meet program expectations with regard to documenting interventions Ability to deal discreetly and sensitivity with confidential issues.
Strong knowledge of community resources and supports including community resources for housing, supportive housing and shelter One-on-one counselling and group facilitation skills.
Ability to work effectively as a part of a team and interact professionally with workers from a variety of health service providers across the continuum of care.
Nice-to-Haves Knowledge of other languages is an asset. Understanding of cultural competency and anti-oppression framework;
Reflective of a multi-barriered group, as serviced by the program, a strong asset What We Offer A comprehensive compensation and benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and long-term disability Defined Benefits Pensions Plan 24 / 7 Employee Assistance Program E-learning program available all year round Starting vacation time above minimum standard, Additional paid personal and paid sick days Professional development budget available to help you nurture and shape your career Corporate Gym membership rate with GoodLife Fitness Access to Perkopolis, a comprehensive corporate discount program Access to unlimited DEI trainings through partnership Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion Tuition reimbursement program Maternity-leave top up program Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion LOFT Community Services is a values-driven organization with a deep belief that each person has the ability to grow and change.
We value compassion, collaboration, and community delivered with dignity, innovation, and excellence. LOFT’s vision is that together, we can all live successfully in our community.
Our client population reflects Ontario’s diverse community and it is LOFT’s goal to build a workforce who also reflects that diversity.
LOFT believes there are many ways to develop skills and build experience and expertise. So even if you don’t tick all the boxes but think you’d thrive in this role, you are encouraged to apply.
Note : All LOFT employees are required to be COVID-19 vaccinated as a condition of hire in accordance with LOFT’s Vaccination Policy;
unless they are employed in or work regularly with staff who are employed in, non-client facing roles. Note : A satisfactory vulnerable sector check (VSC) is also required.
CLOSING DATE : September 18 th , 2024 Thanks for visiting our Career Page. Please review our open positions and apply to the positions that match your qualifications.