SUMMARY

NAN Hope is seeking a dedicated Virtual Care Counsellor to provide remote mental health counselling services to NAN community members. The successful candidate will offer compassionate, culturally sensitive counselling and guidance, utilizing a virtual platform to assist clients in accessing appropriate services and resources. This position is open to licensed mental health professionals, Traditional Healers and Spiritual Counsellors.

Key Responsibilities:

- Virtual Counselling: Provide brief, client-centered, crisis counselling and support via video, phone, and other digital platforms, ensuring accessibility for clients.
- Resource Connection: Utilize extensive knowledge of community resources, mental health services, and social supports to connect clients with appropriate long-term services tailored to their unique needs.
- Case Management: Directly handle each client’s case from initiation to resolution, ensuring the coordination of necessary support, effective information management, resolution of client issues, and seamless collaboration with relevant service providers and partners.
- Assessment and Planning: Conduct thorough assessments of client needs, develop individualized action plans, and set realistic goals to guide clients towards achieving their objectives.
- Crisis Intervention: Offer immediate support and stabilization during crises, including creating safety plans and connecting clients to urgent resources as needed.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Deliver holistic counselling that respects and integrates the cultural values and practices of NAN communities.
- Documentation: Maintain accurate and confidential records of client interactions, progress, and referrals. Prepare detailed reports as required.




- Career development: Engage in ongoing in-person training and development to stay informed about best practices and emerging trends in virtual care and mental health. Occasional travel required.

Qualifications:

- Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counselling, or a related field. Relevant certifications in mental health, addiction or crisis de-escalation are an asset.
- Registration with the College of Social Workers, College of Registered Psychotherapists or another recognized professional body is considered an asset.
- Experience: Proven experience in mental health counselling with First Nations individuals, families and communities.
- Skills: Strong communication skills, both verbal and written. Excellent organizational and problem-solving abilities. Proficiency in using virtual care platforms and technology.
- Counselling skills: Knowledge of techniques and principles of trauma-informed care, the family systems theory, crisis therapy intervention, individual/family/group therapy, trauma response, child abuse and family violence, addictions and harm reduction strategies, de-escalation strategies, suicide intervention strategies, and understanding of cognitive behavioral therapy and/or other relevant techniques.
- Cultural Competency:



Deep understanding of and respect for the wide breadth of cultural practices, teachings and spiritual beliefs of NAN community members.
- Availability: Flexibility to work evenings and weekends is required.
- Language Skills: Ability to speak a NAN dialect (Cree, OjiCree or Ojibway) is considered an asset.
- Technology Proficiency: Skills in using technology and digital tools for client management, communication, and resource navigation, including but not limited to: OTN, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Forms, Microsoft Teams, and electronic medical record keeping software.
- Occasional Travel: Potential willingness and ability to travel to the NAN remote communities and other regional offices as needed.

EMPLOYMENT IS SUBJECT TO

- A satisfactory criminal record check
- A private and secure home office environment with reliable and strong Wi-Fi connectivity.

BENEFITS:

- Pension
- Dental
- EAP
- Life insurance
- Vision care
- Paid time off
- Extended health care
- Salary Range $70,000 - $90,000

This is not intended to be all-inclusive. The employee may perform other related duties as required to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted about this role. We encourage applicants to self-identify if Indigenous, particularly members of communities served by Keewaytinook Okimakanak.

Applicants interested in this position are welcome to submit their resume and cover letter to apply on-line at (mailto:[email protected]) KO website: www.kochiefs.ca (http://www.kochiefs.ca) under “Apply”, or via email to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]). Closing Date: Monday September 17th, 2026

📌 NAN Hope Virtual Care Counsellor (Thunder Bay)
🏢 Keewaytinook Okimakanak
📍 Thunder Bay