Vancouver Island Therapeutic Community - Program Manager

Vancouver Island Therapeutic Community - ADDICTION COUNSELLOR

Tuesday, February 25, 2025

Connective is a dynamic non-profit organization that provides innovative programming in the social services sector. We strive to create safe, healthy, and inclusive communities for all.

Position Title: Therapeutic Community Addiction Counsellor

Program: Vancouver Island Therapeutic Community (VITC)

Reports to: Director of Program and Service Implementation

Wage Grid: $29.00 - $34.00

Hours/Week: 35-40

Program/Role Description:

The Vancouver Island Therapeutic Community (VITC) is a twenty-four bed, residential, substance abuse treatment program for adult males. The Addiction Counsellor will provide support including intake screening, bio-psycho-social assessments, treatment planning, ongoing case management, and referral to other services and agencies. Treatment occurs in a variety of modalities including counselling, group psychotherapy, support and educational groups, marital/family counselling, utilizing a full spectrum trauma informed technique.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Facilitate encounter groups, peer support groups and provide support for primary treatment.
2. Attend to individual resident’s specific needs, assessing client strengths, severity of dependence and their readiness to change. Will complete needs assessments and treatment plans with all VITC clients.
3. Maintain a comprehensive understanding of crisis management and the impact of trauma on Mental Health and addiction issues.
4. Provide individual and group counselling. Develop and facilitate Mental Health and Addiction sessions, such as relapse prevention, dialectical behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy.
5. Observe the social and psychological environment of the TC, increasing resident awareness by providing feedback on behaviours.
6. Support that the entire milieu of the TC is therapeutic, that the goal of every activity is designed to advance the personal growth of individuals.
7. Follow all regulations of the Assisted Living Registry.
8. Role model behavioral expectations of dress, daily work habits, interpersonal communication, positive attitudes, temperament, emotional self-management and adherence to facility rules.
9. Arrange, design, or foster situations that result in learning experiences that require problem solving, coping and decision-making.

SERVICES PROVIDED MAY INCLUDE:

1. Service to Residents: Interviews clients to gather case history information while assessing deep emotional and/or behavioral issues affecting clients. Identifies core areas of concern to be addressed through clinical counseling.
2. Agency Participation: Participates in agency meetings at Connective Support Society Nanaimo; participates in agency and relevant team activities and in-service training as required for the position.
3. Case Management: Develops and implements therapeutic plans and programs necessary to meet client goals and objectives. Provides individual and group counselling interventions to address identified plans. Will use specific therapeutic techniques depending on client type.
4. Best Practice: Stays informed of best practices and provides a quality of service to reflect these. Maintains all general systems of reporting and communication to the standards of the Society.
5. Community Resources: Maintains knowledge of community resources and provides appropriate referrals to clients to meet their needs.
6. Support Groups: May formulate and facilitate support groups in program areas for clients and/or their families.
7. Consultation: Provides consultation to those working with client cases, e.g. social workers, probation officers, other organization staff, other professionals with written permission of the client.
8. Other duties: Other associated duties may be assigned; as relevant to the position.

OTHER ASPECTS/SKILLS IN DECISION MAKING:

1. Establish and maintain rapport with clients.
2. Observe and recognize changes in clients.
3. Assess situations based on individual client’s needs, family needs, program needs and Society Policy.
4. Be non-judgmental.
5. Make adjustments in services based on individual levels of competence and emotional state.
6. Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
7. Carry out the duties of the position.
8. Work independently and in cooperation with others.

Qualifications:

1. Certificate or Baccalaureate Degree in a related health discipline - Required.
2. Minimum Two years related experience – Required.
3. Certification in Addictions Counselling - Preferred.
4. Prior experience with Therapeutic Community – Preferred.
5. A demonstrated and clear ability to respond well in crisis situations.
6. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

When working with a vulnerable population, there can be exposure to adverse environmental working conditions. These can include verbal and physical aggression, which require safety precautions and a calm perspective in approaching the situation. Although there are challenges involved with this role, guidelines and policies are in place to support the employee in the workplace.

Conditions of Employment:

• Naloxone Training (preferred).
• First Aid Certificate – Standard and CPR (Preferred).
• Current Driver’s License.
• Driver’s Abstract Record.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Successful reference check.
• Successful educational verification.
• Reliable vehicle and appropriate insurance coverage.

Important: Candidates must be legally authorized to work in Canada, observe their weekly hours limit if under a temporary or study visa, and provide proof of eligibility if selected for the role.

WHAT WE OFFER?

• Committed Living Wage Employer.
• 2022 & 2023 Canadian Nonprofit Employer of Choice Award from NEOC.
• 2023 High-Performance Culture Award from SupportingLines.
• Competitive benefits package, including health, wellness, and pension plan.
• Career and personal development, with the ability to grow in a diverse range of programs and departments.
• Access to a range of staff mental health supports, including an in-house counsellor, Employee Family Assistance Program, and Critical Incidents Stress Management.
• Access to On-Demand Pay to withdraw earned wages before payday.
• Connective is part of a portability program where employees moving from a CSSEA-member employer to Connective will port their service hours for vacation and wage purposes (within last 12 months).

DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION:

At Connective, we value and accommodate unique differences to ensure that our staff have the opportunity and are supported to thrive. To build a strong and representative workforce, we strongly encourage applications from BIPOC, LGBTQ2S+ people, immigrants, and people with disabilities or other marginalized communities.