Mental Health Counsellor

Location: Sioux Lookout or Thunder Bay

Position Summary

The Independent First Nations Alliance (IFNA) is looking to hire a full-time Mental Health Counsellor to support IFNA communities through mental health and addiction counselling services. The counsellor will focus on clients and communities while upholding the mission, vision, and values of IFNA Health Services.

Education

• Must have a Bachelor’s degree in Counselling Psychology or a related field
• Degree and/or training and experience working in mental health-related fields

Qualifications

• Experience in providing one-on-one counselling
• Ability to lead mental health groups (education, counselling, aftercare)
• Excellent leadership, management, and problem-solving skills
• Highly self-motivated and willing to take initiative
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (written and oral)
• Experience in maintaining confidentiality (HIPAA compliant)
• Knowledge of and/or willingness to learn Indigenous culture and values

Assets

• Ability to speak one or more local dialects from within IFNA communities is considered an asset

Accountability

• This position reports directly to IFNA’s Health Service Coordinator

Responsibilities

• As a representative of IFNA, a professional, trauma-informed, and culturally competent comportment must be always maintained
• Provide mental health counselling services to IFNA community members both virtually and in-person
• Provide mental and emotional support to clients, workers and leadership holding a key role in mental health for IFNA
• Provide Harm Reduction education
• Development and Implementation of mental health and aftercare programs to a variety of groups (youth, recovery clients, staff)
• Maintain a health promotion lens in service delivery supporting optimal health of every individual
• Receive and respond to referrals from IFNA communities for individualized mental health and case management services providing trauma-informed, culturally competent support
• Work in a specialized mental health role alongside IFNA Community Leadership and

Front-line Workers as part of an interdisciplinary care team

• Maintain accuracy and confidentiality for client records (HIPAA guidelines compliant)
• Maintain up-to-date reports to supervisors, funders, and community leadership
• Maintain a role in emergency operations as needed
• On-call emergency operations such as evacuation support and COVID-19 outbreaks
• Working outside regular operating hours as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Schedule

• Monday to Friday
• At times after hours and on weekends when necessary

Ability to Commute

• Valid Class G Driver’s License
• Travel to IFNA communities via small aircraft and/or vehicle regularly

Other

Closing Date: Open until filled

Salary will be based on a combination of qualifications and experience.

Flexible Language Requirement:

• French not required

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Thunder Bay, ON: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)

Work Location: One location