Mental Health Counsellor, Level 1

Mental Health Counsellor, Level 1
Internal/External Posting
Full Time Position Location: Sioux Lookout, Ontario
Salary Range: $67,166 to $98,084 per annum
Nodin Mental Health Services is a department of Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority. It is a
resource available to First Nations children, youth, adults, and families from 33 remote northern
communities served by SLFNHA. Nodin has several services: intake, counsellors travelling to
communities, a crisis response program, community-based children’s mental health and addiction
workers, on-call, traditional healing, youth school counsellors, an outpatient mental health service, and
also mobile outreach mental health and addiction counsellors who are a part of a Crisis Response and
Harm Reduction Mobile Outreach Team for Sioux Lookout.
The Level One (1) Mental Health Counsellor Travelling position is an entry level position for new graduates
with little to no experience. The goal for the entry level counsellor is to first receive supportive mentoring
from peers and clinical supervisor for a period of time in Sioux Lookout before starting to travel into First
Nations communities to provide counselling. Under this mentorship, the new counsellor will gain practical
experience with clients and documentation, receive knowledge transfer, and build skills/confidence
relevant to counselling in First Nations communities. Once readiness is determined that the counsellor
can perform the job effectively, they will commence travelling to First Nations communities to provide
counselling.
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Persons of First Nations ancestry will be given preference (OHRC, Part II, Special Employment)
• Minimum level of education required is equivalent to high school graduation and completion of a
diploma training program, specific to mental health and social services, at a recognized college.
• Registration with a recognized professional body and/or to become registered within a year of
commencing employment.
• New graduate with limited to no work experience.
• Student placements involving mental health counselling experience is preferable and such placements
will be considered as work experience.
• Mentee must project a positive attitude, show an interest in the work, exhibit a willingness and desire
to work hard and learn, be mature, be responsive to the guidance and requests by mentors, take
initiative and be committed.
• Have knowledge of different talking therapies (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy, group therapy,
motivational counselling, family systems therapy).
• Can approach work holistically using a wellness model which highlights and encourages client
strengths.
• Strong set of interpersonal skills to establish and maintain rapport effectively with clients and
partners.
• Asset to have training in assessing risk of suicide, suicide intervention, trauma informed care,
substance abuse/addiction, intergenerational trauma, grief, self-harm, psychiatric disorders etc.
• Ability to work with children, youth, adults and families.
• Knowledge of mandatory reporting requirements.
• Must have knowledge of assessing high risk clients and responding appropriately.
• Knowledge of developing presentations and facilitating group work/therapy.
• Proficient in typing and competent in the use of computers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Accuracy and strong attention to detail is a must.
• Strong interviewing, analytical, problem-solving, organizational and time management skills
• Self-starter to work independently with initiative and highly adaptable.
• Support system and self-care strategies in place to maintain own wellbeing.
• Knowledge of the people, culture and mental health priorities of First Nations communities in the
Sioux Lookout region.
• Ability to communicate in one or more of the First Nations dialects of the Sioux Lookout region will be
an asset.
• Previous experience working with First Nations communities is an asset.
• Ability to communicate in one of the First Nations dialects of the Sioux Lookout region is an asset.
• The ability to perform the requirements of the position on a regular basis.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Participation in mentoring for time frame deemed as necessary, before starting counselling in First
Nations communities.
2. During mentoring, take advantage of the opportunities presented by mentors, be open and
responsive to feedback, criticism, and coaching, honour the time given by mentors, actively seek
assignments that may be challenging and/or offer greater responsibility, demonstrate willingness to
assume responsibility for own professional growth, and negotiate specific workplan learning goals.
3. After mentorship period, extensive travel to First Nations communities to provide counselling,
support/guidance, intervention, crisis management, family counselling, group work and case
management.
4. Conduct mental health assessments, help clients define goals and develop treatment plans.
5. Assessment of risk factors, clinical management of risk, stabilization, development of safety plans.
6. Develop therapeutic processes to guide clients in the development of skills and strategies for dealing
with their problems.
7. Focus sessions on recovery, modification of behaviours or better management of conditions.
8. Evaluate progress of clients on a regular basis and adjust interventions, as necessary.
9. Coordinate care, collaborate and refer to community/regional resources or specialists.
10. Maintain accurate, factual, and objective typewritten records in a timely manner on all aspects of
clinical care.
11. Monitor files closely to ensure there is active care, and close inactive files without delay.
12. Protect client confidentiality, secure all records, and maintain integrity of client record.
13. Follow duty to report requirements, as necessary.
14. Lead group therapy sessions and conduct mental wellness workshops.
15. Participate in regular supervision meetings to review all cases/issues, receive education and
direction, and for debriefing.
16. Planning community trips/schedules in advance to ensure clients and communities receive services
in a timely and effective manner.
17. Participate in ongoing education on mental health issues and team meetings.
18. Develop and deliver presentations and group work in-house as requested.
19. Develop and maintain good working relationships with community-based mental health workers
and provide mentoring support.
20. When not travelling, the expectation is to be connecting with their clients in-communities by
phone/OTN and also upon request, to also work in the Sioux Lookout based outpatient mental
health service.
21.Other duties that may be deemed necessary by immediate Supervisor.
SLFNHA currently “Strongly Recommends” COVID-19 immunizations and requests your immunization
status to be sent to our staff health department if successful in the recruitment process.
Please send cover letter, resume, three most recent employment references and an up-to-date Criminal
Reference Check with a Vulnerable Persons Sector Check to:
Human Resource Department
Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority
P.O. Box 1300, 61 Queen Street
Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1B8
Phone: (807) 737-1802
Fax: (807) 737-2969
Email: Human.Resources@slfnha.com or apply online at www.slfnha.com
Closing Date: Open to Filled
No resumes received after this time will be accepted.
The Health Authority wishes to thank all applicants in advance.
However, only those granted an interview will be contacted.
For additional information regarding the Health Authority, please visit our Web-site at www.slfnha.com
SLFNHA is a proud supporter of Mikinakoos Children’s Fund. To find out more, visit www.mikinakoos.com