Amisk Healing Lodge, formerly known as the Beaver Lake Wah-Pow Treatment Centre, is a not-for-profit alcohol and drug treatment facility located in Beaver Lake Cree Nation. Operating since 1984, Amisk offers a wholistic approach to treatment that integrates both Western treatment best practices and traditional healing methods such as sweat lodges, pipe ceremonies, smudging, prayer, and cultural identity. In the near future, Amisk will transition from an individual-based treatment program to a family-based treatment program. It will also be seeking accreditation from a recognized accreditation body in Canada.
Amisk is now looking for an individual to assume the responsibility as an Addiction Counsellor for its 42-day residential treatment program. Reporting to Amisks Executive Director and or Intake Coordinator Supervisor, the successful candidate will offer evidence-based, culturally appropriate counselling support to Amisk’s clients, both individually and as a member of Amisk’s counselling team.
The ideal candidate will be someone with an Addictions Counsellor certificate, plus a minimum of 3 years addictions counselling experience with Indigenous clients. Lived experience with Indigenous culture and addictions related challenges, as well as practical knowledge in integrating Western addictions treatment modalities with Indigenous healing practices, are important assets.
Responsibilities:
• Provide intake assessment and develop treatment plans in consultation with clients.
• Deliver, and develop when appropriate, group-based addictions counselling sessions to clients. Note that Amisk follows a continuous intake model. Therefore, group sessions need to accommodate clients at different stages of their journey of healing and recovery.
• Hold individual counselling sessions with clients.
• Hold couple of family counselling sessions with clients. Note that Amisk will transition into family-based addictions treatment in the foreseeable future. Individual counselling, couple counselling, family counselling, and youth counselling will all be standard services offered to clients once the transition is completed.
• Incorporate traditional healing practices in all counselling modalities. Note that Elders are available for consultation as appropriate.
• Prepare bi-weekly progress reports in consultation with clients.
• Case manage clients, including referral to external services and liaising with clients’ referring agency as required.
• Develop aftercare plans in consultation with clients.
• Participate in group activities and community activities as appropriate.
• Participate in training and professional development as required.
Qualifications and Skills:
• Minimum Grade 12 Diploma and/or a combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, ability, and skills.
• Post-secondary education in social work, psychology, and addictions counselling preferred.
• Certification in the field of addictions counselling required (e.g., CACII, ICADC). Those not certified will be required to pursue certification during after work hours within a reasonable time frame in order to maintain employment at Amisk.
• A minimum of two (2) years sobriety. Five (5) or more years of sobriety strongly preferred.
• Provide a criminal record check.
• Posses a current First Aid and CPR certificate.
• Ability to speak local First Nation language would be an asset.
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality is essential.
• Demonstrable knowledge in trauma-informed addictions counselling.
• Experience working with, or knowledge of, Indigenous communities and culture.
• Knowledge of the impacts of residential school, and treatment options to address historical transgenerational trauma.
• Demonstrated understanding of the prevention, treatment, and aftercare components of the NNADAP program.
• Knowledge of a full range of treatment options to address addictions, as well as ongoing evaluation of treatment effectiveness.
• Effective group facilitation and presentation skills.
• Effective conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, especially with respect to treatment planning, progress reporting, and aftercare planning.
• Computer literacy is essential.
• Amisk prefers to have an Indigenous person filling the role.
But it is open to all candidates that have the right qualification and experience.
How to Apply:
Please submit a covering letter and a resume with two professional references by email to: [email protected] or mail the same documents to: Marlene Sharphead Executive Director, Amisk Healing Lodge Box 1648, Lac La Biche, Alberta T0A 2C0 Phone: 780 623 2553 Fax: 780 623 4076
