Addictions Counsellor III

Based on location availability, the successful applicant has the option to work from either our Ponoka, CCMHBI office or our Red Deer office at Centre 5010. Reporting to the Manager, the Virtual Rapid Access Addiction Medicine Program, and with the support of the Clinical Supervisor, the Addictions 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 culturally appropriate assessment, treatment, case management, crisis intervention, education and referral services for individuals struggling with substance use concerns and their families. Tasks include completing regular follow-up with clients on an assigned case load, providing interventions and counselling supports as needed, routine follow up with the V-RAAM physician. Collaborating with Pharmacies, Labs, Emergency Departments, Physicians, existing Addiction and Mental Health Services, you will take a participatory decision-making approach within a team and external stakeholders in finding community solutions and resources to support individuals with substance use concerns. The successful applicant is an assertive, proactive individual with a strong foundation in mental health and addictions and excels 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 addictions treatment 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. 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 Essential. This position has transitioned to Recovery Alberta effective September 1, 2024. By applying on this posting, if you are the successful candidate, you agree to and will become an employee of Recovery Alberta.

Virtual experience preferred. Completion of ODT Education training.