Youth & Family Counsellor- Crisis at Frontenac Youth Services – Oshawa, Ontario

JOB DESCRIPTION: CRISIS YOUTH AND FAMILY COUNSELLOR

REPORTING TO: CLINICAL DIRECTOR/CLINICAL MANAGER

Salary Rate: $35- $39.53

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the supervision of the Clinical Director or Clinical Manager, the Crisis Youth and Family Counsellor II (Crisis YFC) will provide telephone, virtual and/or face to face mental health crisis intervention for youth and their families. Crisis intervention involves assessing risk, developing risk safety plans, providing stabilization strategies, and supporting youth and families with brief service interventions until a longer-term service plan can be determined. This position also supports the agency’s Quick Access Clinic. The Crisis YFC will liaise with community partners such as hospitals, schools, police, and other crisis service agencies and will work collaboratively with Durham’s Crisis Response Team.

The Crisis YFC II will also provide a combination of family, individual and group therapy for clients, using a variety of theoretical frameworks (see YFC II job description).

Qualifications/Conditions of Employment:

• Must be registered and in good standing with an appropriate professional regulatory college (e.g. Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, the College of Psychology).
• Training in Crisis Intervention, Risk Assessment, and Cognitive and Dialectical Behavioural Therapies are considered assets.
• Training in Suicide Risk Assessment and Support is an asset.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in adolescent mental health (is preferred)
• Travel is required for this position, a valid class G Ontario driver’s license, access to a reliable vehicle and an acceptable driving record.
• Knowledge of EMHWare electronic client system/interRAI assessment tools is an asset
• Satisfactory Criminal Reference Check with Broad Sector Screening and Pre-Employment Medical.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Clients

• Assess the urgency of crisis calls and prioritize those in most need.
• Identify presenting concerns and assess risk.
• Develop plans with families to stabilize the crisis and create safety plans to address risk.
• Connect children/youth and their families with other resources as required.
• Provide brief crisis/stabilization support to youth and families in office, community and in-home.
• Provide waitlist services for children/youth waiting for Frontenac’s services who go into crisis.
• Provide short term service for clients, which would be up to a 21 day intervention.
• Assess client skills, knowledge and abilities using current agency formats
• Recommend clients for psychiatric/psychological assessments, and prepare the assessment material
• Complete appropriate referral form when crisis call is not opened into ongoing service
• Make appropriate referrals to community agencies: i.e. school, social assistance, social activities, etc.
• Assist clients in making proper referral to Central Intake for on-going services
• Teach skills such as self-management, self-care, crisis management, social, communication, stress management, anger management and life skills, in a short term situation
• Advocate for youth and families when necessary

Administration

• Engage clients in the evaluation of the Plan of Service for the 21 day response which will include safety planning.

• Document treatment planning and maintain appropriate agency reports on individuals and families served.
• Ensure that all reports are kept in order and up-to-date.
• Participate in community outreach and identified committees.
• Create and distribute the crisis backup schedule.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

• In conjunction with supervisor, participate in regular supervision sessions and an annual performance evaluation.
• Attend and participate in scheduled team meetings.
• Attend and participate in In-Service training as scheduled and required and attend recommended professional development opportunities

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work is performed in various program settings such as a vehicle, office, classroom setting, in clients home or in the community. The team is currently (temporarily) operating under a hybrid model of working in office and from home.
• Work hours and schedules are set by the Clinical Director / Clinical Manager and may involve rotating shift work
• Requirement to drive and access to a reliable vehicle
• May be required to work with aggressive and/or volatile clients

The above job description reflects the major aspects of the job and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all work requirements inherent in the job. All positions may be assigned other job related duties as required from time to time.

All positions may be assigned other job related duties as required from time to time.

We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, skill-based, respectful and equitable workplace.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions."

We are committed to providing accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (‘AODA’). If you require accommodation during any stage of the recruitment process, please notify Human Resources at (905) 579-1551.

The vacancy will be posted till the position is filled. Resumes will be reviewed as they come in.

While we thank all applicants, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.