Addictions Counsellor III

Reporting to the Manager, Virtual Opioid Dependency Program, and with the support of the Clinical Supervisor, the Addiction Counselor III will offer harm reduction focused, mental health and addiction services to clients across the province. As an Addiction Counselor III, you will work within an interdisciplinary environment to provide harm reduction focused, culturally appropriate assessment, treatment, case management, crisis intervention, education and referral services for opioid dependent clients and their families. Tasks include following regulatory procedures regarding Suboxone and Methadone, as well as monitoring prescription changes, facilitating changes with doses, monitoring urine drug screen results, insuring the VODP physician is apprised of patient status and supporting the client’s general physical and emotional health related to addiction. collaborating with pharmacies, labs, emergency departments, physicians, and existing Addiction and Mental Health Services. You will engage in collaborative decision-making approach within the internal team and with external stakeholders in finding solutions and resources to support individuals with an opioid dependency. The successful applicant is an assertive, proactive individual with a strong foundation in mental health and addictions. They will excel at working professionally and independently in a collaborative, fast-paced, positive team environment that requires excellent assessment, prioritization, conflict resolution, critical thinking, and decision-making skills. Your understanding, passion, and experience in ODT is essential, as well as excellent computer, texting, and telephone etiquette, as you will be monitoring and evaluating client progress via telehealth and telephone.

As an Addiction Counsellor III, you will provide quality, client focused, recovery based and culturally appropriate assessment, treatment, case management, crisis intervention, education and referral services for clients and their families; as well as community stabilization services. You will develop and implement treatment plans and provide a range of interventions which offer least intrusive and most appropriate services to clients and their families. You will also monitor and evaluate client progress and achievement of recovery goals and adapt treatment as needed. As an Addiction Counsellor III, you will depend on your excellent relationship building skills with clients, families, government staff and colleagues.

Bachelor's degree in Addictions or a combination of a bachelor's degree in a related field with course work in addictions. A related degree combined with a diploma related to addictions, or an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. Individuals eligible for registration under the Health Professions Act (Alberta) must maintain active registration. Individuals may require authorization/permission under regulation to perform restricted psychosocial interventions and/or restricted activities.

Direct experience in case management, group and individual counselling, knowledge of the process of addictions and various theoretical models that guide intervention. Working knowledge of Trauma Informed Care and Suicide Risk Assessment. Knowledge of substance use disorder treatment modalities, interventions and current best practice strategies. Knowledge of Opioid Agonist Treatment Medications. Working knowledge of Motivational Interviewing. 3-4 years’ of recent experience working in a clinical Addictions setting. Accurate keyboarding skills of minimum 60 wpm and proficient in MS Office Suite (Outlook, Excel), Zoom, Genesis etc.

Virtual experience preferred. Completion of ODT Training education.