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Career profile

Mental wellness and substance use counsellor

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The dedicated and dynamic Mental Wellness and Substance Use Services (MWSUS) Community Hub teams provide mental wellness services to individuals, families and communities outside of Whitehorse. They work extensively with community agencies, local First Nation Governments and health providers to offer relevant and culturally supportive services to Yukoners struggling with mental health and substance use challenges. 
Community and client-centred collaborative care is our priority, and the Hub teams are made up of skilled individuals with a range of mental health training and expertise: 
•    Mental health support worker – assists in activities of daily living to support people to be successful in their independent lives. 
•    Community counsellor – offers individual or group counselling to community members and liaises with community professionals in and outside of the community to support the healing journey. Provides case management services, prevention and education.
•    Child youth and family clinical counsellor – provides individual and group counselling services to children, youth and families (ages 5 to 19), in schools and community settings, provides health promotion/prevention, treatment and case management services.  
•    Clinical counsellor – offers individual and group counselling to community members, using counselling practices based on their specialized training, liaises with professionals in and outside of the community to support the healing journey. Provides case management services, prevention and education. 
•    Community mental health nurse –supports community members experiencing persistent mental health needs, liaises with psychiatry, and provides mental health assessments and treatment plans, case management services, prevention, education and pharmacological management. 

What you can expect/get in this role:
  • A rewarding, challenging and dynamic work environment;
  • ongoing partnerships with First Nations, Indigenous groups, community partners, and family networks;  
  • the unique opportunity to live, work and play in one of Yukon’s diverse rural communities;
  • flexible work options;
  • start your employment with 4 weeks’ vacation, plus sick leave and special leave;
  • competitive pay and benefits, professional growth and leadership learning opportunities; 
  • relocation assistance may be considered;
  • as an added benefit, nurses, nurse practitioners and LPNs who work and live in the Yukon may be eligible for increased student loan forgiveness through the Government of Canada;
  • working in a place voted as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers; and
  • a lifestyle that allows you to access our vast backyard and thriving culture and arts scene.
What we do:
  • Act as the first point of contact for individuals requesting support for mental health and substance use;
  • offer assessment, treatment planning and intervention, individual and group counselling, aftercare services and consultation in home communities. 
  • facilitate referral to resources outside of the community; and
  • work from a strength-based, community-focused, client-centred, team-based approach, collaborating extensively with local First Nations Governments and community service providers to provide appropriate promotion, prevention and early intervention activities that support mental wellness and healing.
Job description 

Job duties vary depending on the role and level of education. Specific job descriptions are attached to each job posting listed on our recruitment website.  

Training:
  • Extensive orientation, as well as regular educational opportunities to maintain clinical skills and best practices; 
  • broad course offerings through our internal professional development system called YG Learn; and 
  • partial financial support for approved professional development and educational programs.
Recruiting process

Interested applicants apply on our website www.YUKON.ca by creating a career profile.  
At each step of the recruitment process, candidates are notified by email if they have been successful and if they will be moving to the next step: 
 

Step 1. Resume is reviewed and candidate is notified. 
Step 2. Written assignment (if required). 
Step 3. Interview. 
Step 4. Reference checks. 
Step 5. Conditions of employment.
Step 6. Offer of employment.  

Job requirements:
  • Considerable experience working therapeutically with individuals impacted by mental health, trauma and substance use in a mental health/social services setting;
  • experience with crisis intervention and risk assessments; 
  • experience building partnerships and collaborating with First Nations Government and/or other community partners in a social service setting;
  • ability to work independently and collaboratively with MWSUS teams; 
  • ability to embrace a client-centred, non-judgmental approach to support and connect with community members in their healing journey; and
  • educational requirements differ based on the role: 
    o    Support worker – Diploma in mental health, addictions, community services or related field;
    o    Community counsellor - bachelor’s degree in social sciences, social work, psychology or counselling;   
    o    Clinical counsellor – master’s degree in social work, psychology or counselling;
    o    Child, youth and family counsellor – master’s degree in social sciences, social work, counselling or related field and
    o    Mental health nurse – Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
All positions would require: 
  • Vulnerable Sector RCMP security clearance;
  • WHMIS 2015 (within 1 month of hire); 
  • TB screening;
  • standard First Aid (within 6 months of hire);
  • valid Class 5 driver’s license; and 
  • willingness to travel regularly to surrounding communities to provide support services.
Branch profile/spotlight

The Government of Yukon's Mental Wellness and Substance Use Services (MWSUS) Communities Branch is known for providing community and client-centred mental wellness support to Yukoners in their home communities. This includes counselling, assessments, individualized support and referrals to specialists outside of their communities as required. Through a combination of individual and group programming, and collaborating with community partners and First Nation Governments, MWSUS’s Community Hubs are dedicated to supporting Yukoners on their healing journeys and enhancing the well-being of community members and communities across Yukon. 

Contact

[email protected]

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