Substance Use Clinician - Mental Health & Substance Use Services

Detailed Overview

As a member of the designated community Mental Health & Substance Use Services or Integrated Response team, supports engagement, care coordination and system navigation across substance use & mental health services, local service areas, and regional and provincial services, with an emphasis on reducing barriers to enter/re-enter the system of care and facilitating timely treatment and rapid re-engagement of clients where appropriate and feasible.

Provides client and family-centered care through a trauma-informed approach and evidence-informed practice to individuals and families with and affected by serious and persistent mental disorders and alcohol and drug addictions. As a clinician in a shared-team model, provides initial screening, intake, client assessment, treatment recommendations and plans, determines referral needs, follow-up support, group education, liaison with community resources for specialized services, counsels clients, and outreach as required;

where assigned to Aftercare services, assigned as the "most responsible clinician" to specific clients dependent on the client's primary needs. Maintains respect for client dignity and maximum client self-determination and independence in provision of services. Participates in local committees and internal and external case conferences. May develop and deliver in-services, presentations and training to clients, families and caregivers. Participates in process improvement activities and follows clinical and customer best practices.

May be required to work at more than one location and/or on an outreach basis in order to assess and/or engage with clients within their own environment and community. Responsibilities Performs initial screening of referrals from other health care providers/agencies, family members, physicians and other sources to determine appropriate treatment based on client needs, urgency of request and best practices.

Supports the intake process and assesses client needs by gathering client information/history via phone interviews or other methods; seeking additional background information to perform initial assessment of client mental health and substance use status and risk to themselves or others and to determine priority of care, client eligibility, availability of resources, service priorities and type of level of care required;

collaborating with the interdisciplinary team to determine best approach to care, and assessing the need for emergent crisis intervention. Provides individual, group, and family support, using a variety of interviewing, supportive counseling, and assessment methods. Shares responsibility amongst the team for distributed workload to manage cases, formulate recovery plans and goals, crisis intervention, assist with home visits, run groups, and outreach to clients as required.

Provides first level intervention and support until formal treatment or further assessment can be conducted, such as short term brief interventions, follow-up, monitoring, and evaluating treatment outcomes. Provides treatment/support and case management for complex situations including people in crisis through provision of services such as delivery of individual and group therapy to clients and families; developing and implementing recovery-oriented treatment options and plans through collaboration with clients and natural supports;

providing comprehensive case consultation and follow-up support on treatment decisions in collaboration with other interdisciplinary team members. Where longitudinal Aftercare services are required, designated "most responsible clinicians" will provide treatment/support through case management, brokered connection to adjunct community services including group therapy, addiction medicine, individual counselling, and recovery-oriented treatment options. Supports recovery and connection to system of care pre- and post-treatment and recovery services, inclusive of treatment readiness and regular connection with treatment facilities.

Supports development of a recovery plan to best understand how the client views their recovery journey, key supports to achieving identified…