CAPS Program– Chilliwack

Regular Full-Time Position (35 hours/week)

PCRS is a long-standing, award-winning not-for-profit that serves the most vulnerable people in the Province of B.C. We believe that helping the most marginalized individuals and families will raise the health and well-being of the communities we serve. Our vision is to see everyone thriving in strong, healthy communities, and our mission is to inspire healthy and inclusive communities through leadership and collaboration. We value advocacy, diversity and inclusion, empowerment, service excellence, stewardship, and well-being. We have been recognized for placing a high value on work-life balance. Our Employee Family Assistance Program has a full preventative health program including nutrition awareness, stress reduction, and tools to assist our staff with maintaining a work-life balance. We take care of our people who take care of the people we serve.

Pacific Community Resources Society requires a full-time Adult Substance Use Counsellor for Chilliwack Addiction and Prevention Services in Chilliwack.

Position Summary:

The Adult Substance Use Counsellor is a member of Chilliwack Addiction and Prevention Services. They will provide individual substance use support, group component, and treatment referral services to Adults (aged 24+) residing in Chilliwack.  Their primary role is to engage in one-to-one counselling and the facilitation of groups.  Group work could include: co-leadership of groups with other PCRS staff and volunteers, professionals working for other agencies, and/or authorized "peer mentors." Certification in "Smart Recovery" facilitation is a bonus, and experience with Substance-Affected/Family & Friends group support is also desired.

This is a high-paced role with a caseload of approximately 75 clients. One-to-one counselling includes accepting and processing referrals, client assessment, and the participant's development of service goals.  These roles require a sound understanding of substance use, mental health, addictions theory, motivational theory, and the effects of abuse (including sexual abuse) and trauma.

PCRS works alongside Fraser Health's expectations in delivering a Harm Reduction model.

CAPS is the Fraser Health Outpatient Clinic for Substance Use in Chilliwack. 

Primary Duties:

1)Maintains Administrative Policies:

• Participates in the work of PCRS's committee system and is responsible for implementing the agency's policy.
• 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.
• Carries out administration tasks as assigned, including helping cover the front desk lunch hour 1-2 times per month.
• Completes quarterly reporting to the Program Manager as required for stats and HONOS. 

2)Program Coordinates within the Catchment Area:

• Engages in day-to-day liaison activities with relevant professionals and community members.
• Keeps the Manager advised of clients, community, and inter-agency relationships and concerns.
• Keeps the Manager advised about day-to-day program functioning.

3)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 HONOS assessments at intake, every three months and discharge according to our funding expectations.
• Provide outreach services to clients where appropriate.
• Engages in regular case conferences with the Manager and reports unusual occurrences immediately.
• Responsible for treatment referrals and subsidy applications for clients.

4)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
• Acts as a positive role model for group members and helps them develop values of honesty, self-assertiveness, respect for others, a democratic viewpoint, and lack of dependency on drugs, alcohol, and self-abusive and destructive behaviour.

5)To Work as a Member of a Treatment Team:

• 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 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. 

6) To Maintain Health and Safety:

• Handles emergencies safely and following agency policy.
• Maintains acceptable safety practices and a preventative approach.
• Understands the stresses of the job and takes steps to prevent personal burn-out.
• Applies all current COVID protocols, including surgical mask-wearing, distancing, cleaning protocols, and the offer to meet with the clients over the phone or virtually rather than in-person.

Academic and Job Experience Required:

B.A. in a related field (Social Work, Counselling) plus three years of related experience in substance use and treatment. 

Basic Requirements:

• Substance Abuse/Addictions Counselling Training
• Criminal Records Check
• Valid Emergency First Aid Certificate
• Basic Computer skills

Desired Requirements:

• 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 is a bonus
• Cultural sensitivity training, and knowledge of our local Indigenous communities and the impact of colonialism and residential schools

Salary Range:     $24.49/hour – $27.87/hour, plus comprehensive benefits

Closing Date:     February 25, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.

Apply at: https://pcrs-external.scouterecruit.net/jobs/PCRS119

"PCRS fosters an environment that ensures a sense of belonging, dignity, and respect. We welcome applications from persons with diverse backgrounds and all abilities."