Behavioral Therapist

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The Behavioural Therapist in this position is primarily responsible for the assessment, treatment, and consultation services required as part of the Keewaytinook Okimakanak (KO) and community Child First Team— serving children from birth to 17 years of age. There is a significant focus on providing specialized mental health and wellness services that are culturally sensitive, safe, accessible, and timely within the KO communities. The therapist will provide in-person therapeutic services for people in the KO communities. Utilizing a person-centered approach to therapy/counselling, Therapists are able to support individuals (children and youth) experiencing a wide range of bio-psycho-social challenges.

The Behavioural Therapist will travel to 5 KO communities for one week four times a year— split between our current BT— and will use telemedicine to provide follow-up, consultation, teaching, and reassessment when not in the communities.

ACCOUNTABILITY

The Behavioural Therapist reports directly to and works under the administrative supervision of the Jordan's Principle Coordinator and the KO Health Director

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

CLINICAL PRACTICE

The therapist should have experience and skills in a variety of therapeutic modalities. Requested counselling/therapeutic services include but are not limited to:

• Child, Youth, and Adolescent Counselling
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
• Psychodynamic Therapy
• Schema Therapy
• Gestalt Therapy
• Trauma Therapy
• Grief Counselling
• Family Counselling
• Substance Use/Addiction Counselling

SERVICE REQUIREMENTS

The Therapist will support community members with one-to-one counselling. They will report to the Jordan’s Principle Coordinator and the KO Health Director. Specific duties include:

• Travel to remote communities to deliver in-person services
• Uphold community, program, and organizational expectations related to professionalism and cultural safety
• Coordinate with caregivers, families, nursing stations, schools, and teachers to create treatment plans and circles of care
• Review informed consent with clients, including privacy rights and the limits of confidentiality
• Build rapport and trust through consistent, long-term engagement and relational continuity
• Provide therapy and counselling services under one’s own professional license
• Adhere to confidentiality, ethical, and mandatory reporting requirements in accordance with the appropriate regulatory college
• Refer clients to external or specialized services when needs fall outside the scope of care
• Complete timely session documentation using TELUS Health
• Participate in team meetings as organized and facilitated by the Jordan’s Principle Coordinator
• Assist with coordination of their travel and appointments

ASSETS

The therapist should possess the necessary skills, traits, and assets required to provide the most optimal care for our KO communities. These assets include but are not limited to:

• Culturally sensitive, safe, empathetic and engaging
• Experience and knowledge of the DSM-IV/5
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills
• Training in assessment and intervention using evidence-based psychological treatments
• Compliant in maintaining strict confidentiality with respect to clients, their circle of care, and among colleagues
• Strong administrative and documentation skills
• Compassionate about the well-being of others and good natured
• Proficient communication skills; both written and verbal
• Confident, calm, and able to manage difficult and highly sensitive conversations
• Proactive, creative, resourceful, and solution-focused; able to influence change in support of client service excellence

RISK MANAGEMENT

• Work with the communities to identify and evaluate the risks to the programs (clients, staff, volunteers) and assist the communities to implement measures to control and minimize risks.

ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintains confidentiality
• Respect and safeguard client rights
• Respect the client’s autonomy and right to be treated with respect, dignity, and worth
• Safeguard the client’s well-being, and cause no harm to clients
• Ensures that clients have opportunities to express concerns
• Encourages feedback on ways to improve services

EDUCATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Promote education and continuous learning
• Participate in educational opportunities
• Share knowledge with colleagues
• Participate in continuous quality improvement activities
• Identify capacity strengthening activities required by the communities and assist them in the development of a capacity strengthening plan

RECORD KEEPING, REPORTING, AND ACCOUNTABILITY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Keep accurate and timely records and reports observations
• Reports incidents, accidents, and unusual activity, immediately

SUPERVISION RESPONSIBILITIES

Participate in and accept supervision/feedback from the Jordan’s Principle Coordinator and the KO Health Director

OTHER DUTIES

Accepts other duties as may be assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be sensitive to the cultural traditions of the Keewaytinook Okimakanak people
• Experience working with First Nation communities
• Proven leadership abilities, including accountability, and work-habits
• Experience and skills working in a political environment
• Experience in collecting and reporting statistics
• Knowledge of the complex multi-layered structure of health and social program targeted to children with developmental delays or disabilities and their families
• Master's degree (or better) in Psychology from an APNCPA accredited university;
• Licensed in Ontario to provide the controlled act of psychotherapy and are the member or in the process of becoming a member of either the College of Psychologists of Ontario, the College of Registerted Psychotherapists of Ontario, or the Ontario College of Social Workers or Social Service Workers and Counselors;
• Effective decision making and leadership qualities;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills;
• Demonstration and oral presentation abilities.
• Must be a permanent resident of Canada.

Only those chosen for interviews will be contacted.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Must be willing to travel to 6 remote northern communities

QUALIFICATIONS

Preferred Behaviours

• Enthusiastic - Shows intense and eager enjoyment and interest
• Dedicated - Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity

Preferred Education

• Master's degree (or better) in Psychology from an APNCPA accredited university
• Licensed in Ontario to provide the controlled act of psychotherapy and are the member or in the process of becoming a member of either the College of Psychologists of Ontario, the College of Registerted Psychotherapists of Ontario, or the Ontario College of Social Workers or Social Service Workers and Counselors