Vocational Rehabilitation Counsellor - LINKS to Employment Program

CMHA Kelowna is in the process of launching the LINKS to Employment program and are looking for two full time Vocational Rehabilitation Counsellors. 

Links to Employment helps job seekers with persistent and multiple barriers reach their goals of obtaining meaningful training, volunteer work, and/or employment. The program provides a full range of support and services that are incorporated into a comprehensive treatment plan that is delivered through a Primary Care Centre. Employment can be central to an individual’s recovery and growth as employment is a structured, purposeful activity that can enhance self-esteem and a sense of well-being within society. Employment and education are also vital aspects of fostering connection, wellness, and resilience for members of a diverse community.

 This position offers 37.5 hours per week, with a typical work week of Monday – Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm.

WHO IS A VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELLOR?

The Vocational Rehabilitation Counsellor provides the full continuum of support to clients seeking competitive, paid employment in an integrated community setting. Specific responsibilities include engagement, continuous assessment and the development and implementation of vocational rehabilitation plans. The Counsellor provides any, or all, of a full range of supports to individual clients including one-to-one counselling, direct job marketing to potential employers, independent job search support, liaison with employers and on-site job coaching. The Counsellor also facilitates ongoing one-to-one and group support sessions as required.

WHAT DOES A VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELLOR DO?

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for an assigned caseload of clients linked to a primary care setting
• In liaison with referring clinical staff, coordinates individual client intake into the program ensuring the timely assessment, entrance, and orientation of participants;
• Engages clients and establishes trusting collaborative relationships directed towards the goal of competitive employment in an integrated community setting;
• Responsible for making practice decisions in collaboration with clients and stakeholders and in adherence with evidence-based best practice reflective of professional designation;
• Works within an interdisciplinary team and as part of a broader integrated system to deliver services to clients experiencing mental health and/or concurrent conditions;
• Provides treatments which restore and/or improve employment outcomes of adults with mental health and/or concurrent conditions through independent mental health and substance use screening, suicide risk assessment, comprehensive holistic assessments, care planning;
• In conjunction with the client and other appropriate professionals, assesses client’s vocational functioning on an ongoing basis and facilitates the setting of appropriate vocational rehabilitation plans;
• Works to develop networks and links with community employers;
• Conducts job development, direct marketing and job search activities directed towards positions that are consistent with the needs and interests of the client;
• Provides education and support to employers as agreed upon by the client which may include negotiating job accommodations, workplace agreements and ongoing contact with the employer;
• Provides on-site job coaching to ensure orientation and training to clients;
• Provides ongoing support and training at the job site, by telephone, through one-to-one counselling and by facilitating group support meetings;
• Ensures close and ongoing communication with appropriate health care professionals through regular contact (e.g. attending case and team meetings as agreed);
• Ensures the coordination of participant’s departure from the program, including file closures and referrals to further community, educational and training resources as needed;
• Provides education to mental health service providers regarding the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model and employment in general;
• Maintains up to date information on labor market trends and job marketing techniques;
• Ensures that employment team colleagues are kept up-to-date on clients’ progress in order to facilitate support cover during staff absences;
• Maintains written and computerized vocational plans, progress notes, program information and records of communication with external mental health and personal supports;
• In conjunction with the Team Supervisor, recommends and documents program operating procedures, policies, and curricula; and

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

• A bachelor’s degree in Vocational Rehabilitation and eligibility for registration as a rehabilitation professional with a recognized association;
• Minimum 1-year vocational counselling or job marketing / development experience;
• Minimum 1-year experience working with individuals with a severe and persistent mental illness;
• Possession of a valid Class 5 BC driver’s license and reliable vehicle
• First Aid / CPR certification.
• Working knowledge of psychosocial rehabilitation principles;
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team as well as independently;
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal;
• Experience using word processing computer applications.

WHO IS CMHA KELOWNA?

At CMHA Kelowna, we are dedicated to Mental Health in our community. No matter how old or how young, we provide support for families and individuals through programs that promote positive mental health and support recovery, while championing the elimination of barriers that can prevent people from thriving. We are a dynamic, innovative and visionary organization. We are looking for someone who shares our vision of a mentally healthy Kelowna and are passionate about making a difference in our community by bringing their particular expertise to our organization. To learn more, check out our website at www.cmhakelowna.org

CMHA KELOWNA OFFERS YOU:

• A competitive hourly wage of $30.54-35.12
• Dental, Health & EAP Benefits
• RRSP matching program
• Vacation & Personal Health Days
• A workplace culture that fosters learning, transparency, trust and team work

 As an employer, CMHA Kelowna strives to create a workplace that respects and values all individuals, minimizes bias, and promotes the equity, diversity, and inclusion of different perspectives and ideas. At CMHA Kelowna that means welcoming diversity in mental health, race, ethnicity, and culture. It also means diverse abilities, age, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, gender identities, education, marital status, language, and physical self-expression. These values are embedded in the work CMHA Kelowna does every day.

 We appreciate and thank all applicants for their interest, however only short-listed candidates and those legally eligible to work in Canada will be contacted.

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