Nodin Mental Health Services (MHS) is Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority’s mental health department. It is a resource available to First Nation children, youth, adults and families from 33 remote northern communities served by SLFNHA. Nodin MHS has several services: intake, counsellors travelling to communities, a crisis response program, community-based children’s mental health and addiction workers, traditional healing, youth school counsellors, and an outpatient mental health service (OMHS).

The Mental Health Counsellor travels to First Nations communities to provide counselling to children, youth, adults and families, support/guidance, intervention, crisis management, group work and case management services. This counsellor works in close collaboration with all community resources and assists with capacity building. When not travelling, upon request, this position may also be required to work in the Sioux Lookout based outpatient mental health service.

Salary Range: $88,049 - $113,338 per annum.

Position Type: Full-time

Posting Type: This job posting is for an existing vacancy.

Qualifications

Persons of First Nations ancestry will be given preference (OHRC, Part II, Special Employment)

Minimum level of education required is equivalent to high school graduation and completion of a diploma training program, specific to mental health at a recognized college

Registration with a recognized professional body that is regulated to practice psychotherapy in Ontario (e.g., CRPO, OCSWSSW, CPO).

Minimum 1 year related mental health counselling experience is required

Knowledge and experience with different talking therapies (e.g. cognitive behavioural therapy, group therapy, motivational counselling, family systems therapy)

Can approach work holistically using a wellness model which highlights and encourages client’s strengths

Strong set of interpersonal skills to establish and maintain rapport effectively with clients and partners

Asset to have training in assessing risk of suicide,



suicide intervention, trauma informed care, substance abuse/addiction, intergenerational trauma, grief, self-harm, psychiatric disorders etc.

Ability to work with children, youth, adults and families

Knowledge of mandatory reporting requirements

Must have experience assessing high risk clients and responding appropriately

Experience developing presentations and facilitating group work/therapy

Proficient in typing and competent in the use of computers

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Accuracy and solid attention to detail is a must

Strong interviewing, analytical, problem-solving, organizational and time management skills

Self-starter to work independently with initiative and highly adaptable

Support system and self-care strategies in place to maintain own wellbeing

Knowledge of the people, culture and mental health priorities of First Nations communities in the Sioux Lookout region

Ability to communicate in one or more of the First Nations dialects of the Sioux Lookout region will be an asset

Previous experience working with First Nations communities is an asset

Ability to communicate in one of the First Nations dialects of the Sioux Lookout region is an asset

The ability to perform the requirements of the position on a regular basis.

Responsibilities

Extensive travel to First Nations communities to provide counselling, support/guidance, intervention, crisis management, family counselling, group work and case management

Conduct mental health assessments, help clients define goals and develop treatment plans

Assessment of risk factors,



clinical management of risk, stabilization, development of safety plans

Develop therapeutic processes to guide clients in the development of skills and strategies for dealing with their problems

Focus sessions on recovery, modification of behaviours or better management of conditions

Evaluate client’s progress on a regular basis and adjust interventions as necessary

Coordinate care, collaborate and refer to community/regional resources or specialists

Maintain accurate, factual, and objective typewritten records in a timely manner on all aspects of clinical care

Monitor files closely to ensure there is active care, and close inactive files without delay

Protect client confidentiality, secure all records, and maintain integrity of client record

Follow duty to report requirements as necessary

Lead group therapy sessions and conduct mental wellness workshops

Participate in regular supervision meetings to review all cases/issues, receive education and direction, and for debriefing

Planning community trips/schedules in advance to ensure clients and communities receive services in a timely and effective manner

Participate in ongoing education on mental health issues and team meetings

Develop and deliver presentations and group work in-house as requestedDevelop and maintain good working relationships with community-based mental health workers and provide mentoring support

Other duties that may be deemed necessary by your immediate Supervisor

Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority focuses on hiring Indigenous employees whenever possible.

Candidates are encouraged to self-identify on their application. Self-identification is voluntary and the information is used to assist SLFNHA in hiring Indigenous people from the region whenever possible and to support candidates in their application.

We offer competitive and comprehensive employment benefits to Full-Time employees:

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📌 Travelling Mental Health Counsellor, Level 2 (Ontario)
🏢 Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority
📍 Ontario