Mental Health Counsellor OMHS, Reference Number: 2024-043

Mental Health Counsellor OMHS
Internal/External Posting
Full Time Position
Location: Sioux Lookout, Ontario
Salary Range: $85,985 to $110,682 per annum
Reference Number: 2024-043
If applying by email, indicate reference number in subject line
Nodin Mental Health Services provides mental health counselling, support, and intervention services to
First Nation children, youth, adults and families from communities served by SLFNHA. The majority of
these 33 communities are remote, not road accessible and only reachable by air transportation. Nodin
has several services: counsellors travelling to First Nation communities to see clients, a crisis response
program, community-based counsellors, and an Outpatient Mental health Service based in Sioux Lookout.
The Mental Health Counsellor position is one of the team members of the Outpatient Mental Health
Service responsible for providing counselling to children, youth, adults (families as required),
support/guidance, intervention, crisis management, group work and case management services. This
counsellor also may have to travel to First Nations communities depending on departmental needs.
The Outpatient Mental Health Service provides intensive brief counselling, crisis intervention and safety
planning to individuals demonstrating very “high risk” behaviours, serious emotional/behavioural
disorders, and trauma symptoms that cannot be responded to at the community level. If meeting
eligibility criteria, individuals travel from the communities for a short stay in Sioux Lookout to receive
mental health support from a multi-disciplinary team.
Qualifications:
• Persons of First Nations ancestry will be given preference (OHRC, Part II, Special Employment)
• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree with a major in Counselling Psychology, Social Work or related field
• Diploma related to the area of Social Work will be considered (e.g. Social Service Worker, Human
Services Counsellor)
• Registration with College of Psychotherapy or College of Social Workers or another recognized
professional counselling college
• At least 2 years’ experience working with children, adolescents and/or families in a clinical
capacity
• Knowledge of techniques and principles of the family systems theory, crisis therapy intervention,
individual/family/group therapy, trauma response, child abuse and family violence, cognitive
behavioural therapy, suicide intervention
• Must have experience with assessing high risk clients and responding appropriately
• Knowledge of mandatory reporting requirements
• Experience developing presentations and facilitating group work/therapy
• Can approach work holistically using a wellness model (as opposed to an illness one) which
highlights and encourages client’s strengths
• Support system and self-care strategies in place to maintain own wellbeing
• Strong set of interpersonal skills to establish and maintain rapport effectively with clients and
partners
• Excellent written, verbal and computer skills
• Strong interviewing, analytical, problem-solving, organizational and time management skills
• Self-starter to work independently with initiative and highly adaptable
• Knowledge of First Nations culture, history, community-based services, geographic realities and
social conditions within remote First Nations communities
• 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.
Roles and Responsibilities:
• Provide counselling, support/guidance, intervention, crisis management, family counselling as
required, group work and case management
• Conduct mental health assessments, help clients define goals and develop treatment plans
• Assessment of risk factors, clinical management of risk, stabilization, development of safety
plans
• Develop therapeutic processes to guide clients in the development of skills and strategies for
dealing with their problems
• Focus sessions on recovery, modification of behaviours or better management of conditions
• Evaluate client’s progress on a regular basis and adjust interventions as necessary
• Coordinate care, collaborate and refer to community/regional resources or specialists
• Maintain accurate, factual, and objective typewritten records in a timely manner on all aspects
of clinical care
• Monitor files closely to ensure there is active care, and close inactive files without delay
• Protect client confidentiality, secure all records, and maintain integrity of client record
• Follow duty to report requirements as necessary
• Lead group therapy sessions and preventive mental wellness workshops/groups
• Participate in regular supervision meetings to review all cases/issues, receive education and
direction, and for debriefing
• Prepare 3-month work plans in advance to ensure communities receive services in a timely and
effective manner
• Participate in ongoing education on mental health issues and team meetings
• Develop and deliver presentations and group work in-house and in communities as requested
• Develop and maintain good working relationships with community-based mental health workers
and provide mentoring support
• Other duties that may be deemed necessary by your immediate Supervisor
• May have to travel with future development of Nodin
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