Addictions Counselor III

The Edmonton Protection of Children Abusing Drugs (PChAD) Program has an exciting opportunity for an experienced clinician. If you are passionate about providing excellent addiction treatment services to youth and their families, and you are committed to the ongoing development of frontline service delivery then this is the ideal career opportunity for you. The PChAD Program is a court-ordered detoxification and assessment program for youth aged 12-17 years, harmfully involved in substance use. Youth are confined in a Protective Safe House for a period of 10 days to safely withdraw from substances, undergo a comprehensive assessment of their use, and receive recommendations on voluntary options post-discharge. As an Addiction Counselor, you will be responsible for assessment, individual & group counselling, program development, group facilitation, and treatment planning. In addition to core clinical duties, all members of the team are responsible for ensuring the safe and secure care of youth confined in the 9 bed Protective Safe House. The ideal candidate will have exceptional behavior management skills, strong assessment abilities, and a concurrent capable approach to treatment. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required, as well as an ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative team environment. The position also requires an exceptional ability to engage and support families in the care of their youth, so the successful candidate will have a demonstrated understanding of family-centered care. This position has transitioned to Recovery Alberta effective September 1, 2024. By applying on this posting, if you are the successful candidate, you agree to and will become an employee of Recovery Alberta.

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.

Completion of a 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 must maintain active registration. Individuals may require authorization/permission under regulation to perform restricted psychosocial interventions and/or restricted activities. A minimum of two years’ experience providing counselling or therapy to adolescents. Experience working with youth in an inpatient or residential treatment setting. Certification is required in Suicide Prevention, First Aid/CPR and Nonviolent Crisis Intervention. Valid class 5 driver’s license, non GDL.

Preference given to candidates with experience in addiction and/or mental health settings and to those with experience in secure treatment. Preference given to candidates with a master’s degree in a relevant field.