Addictions Counselor III

The Addiction Counsellor III (AC III) position is based out of the Youth Addiction Services Edmonton, Outpatient Clinic. This position primarily supports the Building Opportunities, Skills, & School program, a 3-week psychoeducational school-based day program focusing on building capacity in the areas of mental health, substance use, and prosocial life skills. This role includes case management, assessment, short term treatment planning, therapeutic intervention utilizing individual counselling and group opportunities, collaboration with internal and external service providers, and transition planning with family and supports. As part of this program, the AC III position may be required to facilitate or co-facilitate active and creative leisure sessions, and potentially attend recreational community outings. Additionally, the AC III role may support the Outpatient Addiction Counselling team by conducting intakes for youth addiction services; completing detailed assessments; writing assessment and attendance letters; creating treatment plans in partnership with the youth and family; providing individual addiction counselling and family interventions; and facilitating psycho-educational, support, experiential, and process groups. Consultation with families as well as allied and community professionals is essential to facilitate treatment and the care transition process. This position has been identified and is anticipated to transition to Recovery Alberta effective September 1, 2024. By applying on this posting, if you are the successful candidate, you will transition to Recovery Alberta. In accordance with the transition letter of understanding with UNA, current employees under the UNA Collective Agreement who accept an employment offer, issued after July 1, 2024, will not have any rights under Article 15: Layoff and Recall.

As an Addiction Counsellor III, you will provide quality, client focused, recovery based and culturally appropriate assessment, treatment, case management, crisis intervention, education and referral services for clients and their families; as well as community stabilization services. You will develop and implement treatment plans and provide a range of interventions which offer least intrusive and most appropriate services to clients and their families. You will also monitor and evaluate client progress and achievement of recovery goals and adapt treatment as needed. As an Addiction Counsellor III, you will depend on your excellent relationship building skills with clients, families, government staff and colleagues.

Bachelor's degree in Addictions or a combination of a bachelor's degree in a related field with course work in addictions. A related degree combined with a diploma related to addictions, or an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. Individuals eligible for registration under the Health Professions Act (Alberta) must maintain active registration. Individuals may require authorization/permission under regulation to perform restricted psychosocial interventions and/or restricted activities.

Certification in CPR/First Aid, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, and suicide risk management is necessary. Experience working with youth or young adults experiencing addiction and mental health concerns is required. The successful candidate will have strong de-escalation skills and maintain professionalism in a busy setting. This position works in a team environment which may include community collaboration, consultation, and programming. Services are provided using a recovery-oriented, harm reduction, trauma-informed, culturally safe, and client-centered approach.

A master’s degree in a related field and experience with youth in an addiction or mental health setting is preferred. A minimum of two years' experience working with youth or young adults experiencing addiction and mental health concerns is preferred. Experience using Connect Care is preferred.