Shared Care Mental Health Counsellor

Position Overview

“Our Vision is Healthy People, Vibrant Communities, Care for All”. To bring this vision to reality the WRHA Adult Mental Health Program provides an integrated and comprehensive range of mental health services and supports primarily for adult residents of Winnipeg across the healthcare continuum that support and promote recovery. Through collaboration and partnership across various health, social service and community sectors the program strives to promote mental health and well-being for all, to reduce inequities and the impact of mental health problems and to work towards sustainability of mentally healthy individuals and communities.

The Community Mental Health Program provides a range of services and supports to individuals within the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. In addition to crisis response services, case management services, treatment, rehabilitation and support services the program has implemented a shared mental health care service; a collaborative mental health clinical therapy service within a Primary Care setting.

Working within an integrated team approach, the Shared Care Counsellor will contribute to the overall improved health status of patients within a Primary Care Clinic through the provision of mental health clinical counselling interventions. Services are provided across the lifespan; within a framework of advanced clinical practice, including consultation, assessment and therapeutic interventions. The counsellor will work collaboratively and interactively with the Family Physician and the consulting psychiatrist, functioning as clinician, service coordinator and liaison with other sectors within the healthcare system as required. The counsellor will be required to function as an autonomous mental health practitioner within the Primary Care Team setting.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years mental health clinical counselling experience.

Education (Degree/Diploma/Certificate)

• Baccalaureate degree in a relevant health or social science field required.
• Clinical Masters counselling degree preferred; an equivalent post-graduate degree in a related field will be considered.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Comprehensive knowledge and advanced level of practice in clinical assessment and treatment models including individual, couple, family and group therapy interventions.

Certification/Licensure/Registration

• Responsible for maintaining and providing proof of active registration with the appropriate registering body.

Qualifications and Skills

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to problem-solve complex situations and manage sensitive issues.
• Advocate for and educate others on the Shared Care philosophy and program mandate.
• Knowledge of and ability to work within the mental health recovery model.
• Skilled at working with people with co-occurring mental health disorders.
• Proficiency on Microsoft Word.
• Comprehensive knowledge and skill in a range of intervention modalities, including brief solution focused therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing.
• Crisis intervention and bereavement skills.
• Knowledge of primary care principles.
• Collaborative guiding principles in order to work within a Primary Care setting as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated skills working diverse populations and presenting issues.
• Adheres to all safety and health regulations and safe work practices.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to travel to meetings at various locations.
• Flexible scheduling is required to balance client needs, group work, and consultation schedules.
• Immunization, Tuberculin testing as per Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA) policy.