Addiction Treatment Worker (RAAM)

At House of Friendship, we believe in what we are doing. We get out of bed each day to make a difference in our community; to walk with and to serve. We are not happy with the status quo. We get energy from ongoing learning and growth. We lead with passion and believe without a doubt that everyone deserves to belong and thrive. We live and breathe our values of Compassion, Inclusion, Justice, Dignity and Hope. And we have fun!

Sounds pretty great, doesn’t it? It is! 

This role can be performed in the following programs: Residential Treatment, Day Treatment, Community Counselling, Concurrent Supportive Housing, Rapid Access Addiction Medicine, Community Withdrawal Support Services and Safer Use program. The Addiction Treatment Worker will support program participants by working collaboratively with the staff team to facilitate program related activities including the facilitation of groups.

The Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) clinic is a walk-in clinic for those who are concerned with their substance use and seeking support. We provide low-barrier, quick access to addiction medicine providers, addiction counsellors and peer workers for individuals looking to explore or make changes to their substance use. At RAAM, the addiction treatment worker will be responsible for completing intakes for new participants accessing RAAM services, triaging and assessing individuals’ withdrawal symptoms, making referrals based on the participants’ needs and recovery goals and providing crisis support when needed. All team members will support the clinic flow as needed including, but not limited to, administrative tasks and completing urine drug screens.

** This is a permanent, part-time (5 hours per week) position with paid personal days and vacation pay. Schedule every other weekend, Saturday and Sunday, 10:00am to 3:00pm.

Clinic locations within Waterloo Region. Option to pick up additional relief shifts as needed.

Successful completion of a Police Records Check (Vulnerable Sector) is required. **

Key Responsibilities:

·        Supervise the residence to ensure program guidelines are being followed (some programs)

·        Establish and maintain a helping relationship with program participants while upholding appropriate professional boundaries

·        Facilitate psychoeducational and Recreational Groups

·        Provide support to program participants when accessing external providers including medical interventions as required

·        Assess complex situations and make appropriate decisions independently and as part of a team including crisis intervention, risk assessment and safety planning.

·        Complete administrative and household tasks

·        Maintain confidentiality in compliance with Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA)

·        Complete documentation and data entry in accordance with agency and legislative requirements

·        Support with medication processes including communication with pharmacies and doctor’s, reviewing and creating necessary medication documents, and providing access to medication (some programs)

·        Schedule and conduct random urine screen drug testing

·        Work as part of a team including attending the team meetings, trainings and regular supervision meetings

·        Participate in other program activities as required

·        Support onboarding and training of new team members

·        Commitment to ongoing professional development and training

Job Specific Knowledge/Skills:

·        Sensitivity to and knowledge of issues relating to and impacting on all genders and marginalized populations

·        Strong understanding of interpersonal skills and the ability to engage in meaningful conversations to develop rapport with individuals who use substances using a strength-based approach

·        Knowledge of and training in substance use including associated health risks;

·        Demonstrated capacity for accurate and efficient documentation and computer data entry

·        Demonstrated ability to calmly problem-solve in a fast-paced, sometimes stressful environment;

·        Strong communication and listening skills

·        Ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team

·        Ability to accept and apply feedback and take initiative

·        Commitment to work with and support training of students, volunteers and new employees as required

·        Group facilitation and management skills

·        Commitment to ongoing professional development and training

Education/Experience:

·        Minimum College Diploma or University Degree in Related Field of Study required (i.e. social services, social work, addictions, mental health, community development etc.

·        Knowledge and understanding of the complexities of substances, problematic substance use and recovery oriented interventions required

·        Previous experience in a social service setting is considered an asset

Critical Skills:

·        Commitment to understand and uphold the mission and values of House of Friendship is expected

·        Exemplary emotional intelligence, resilience, communication, conflict management and problem solving skills required

·        Ability to work professionally as a team member with staff, participants and community members

·        Experience or strong interest in working with diverse populations including people from various cultural backgrounds, income levels, and sensitivity to their needs

·        Experience with and commitment to using an anti-racism, anti-oppressive and trauma informed approach to consultation, program design, evaluations of processes and service delivery

·        Demonstrated ability to create and maintain a positive work environment including the ability to navigate change in a positive and productive manner

·        Must be dependable, professional, flexible, a team player, and have a positive attitude

·        Respectful, supportive and engaging approach to persons with physical and/or cognitive disabilities, addictions, mental illness and other life challenges

·        Excellent project, timeline and deadline management skills including skills in logistics, planning and detailed record keeping 

Compensation:

At House of Friendship, we know that our team members are the key to the success of our organization and our ability to provide essential services to the community. In support of our mission and in alignment with our values, House of Friendship is committed to ensuring fair, market competitive, and rewarding compensation practices for all of our team members. We aspire to support our team members to create a great work environment where our team is able to thrive, succeed, and have a positive work experience.

House of Friendship compensation practices including our pay grid, have been developed using documented leading pay practices in the not-for-profit sector including Pathways to Decent Work (Ontario Nonprofit Network) and Ontario Living Wage Network. We value the experience that new team members bring to the organization and have a process in place to review previous related experience for placement on our pay grid.

We value the work that you do with fair pay and benefits:

·        Time off includes vacation pay and 3 personal days/year

·        We believe strongly in supporting the mental health of our team members, including providing access to the Employee and Family Assistance Program

·        We help you save for the future by providing a retirement plan that includes a matched Group Pension Plan as well as a Group RRSP and a Group Tax Free Savings Account

Rate of Pay:

At House of Friendship all compensation ranges are categorized under a series of “grades” and we base our payment structure on internal equity. When determining rate of pay, a candidate’s past related experience will be taken into consideration.

Grade: 4

Min: $22.18

Mid: $25.40

Max: $28.61

Working Conditions: 

•       Work as sole staff person on some shifts

•       Required to work intensively with program participants in emotionally charged situations

•       Required to assess situations and make decisions under pressure with minimal supervision or working alone

•       May be required to remain at the facility for meal and other breaks on some shifts

•       Encountering participants at program sites who may be under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, and/or experiencing symptoms of mental illness can be expected

House of Friendship is open and inviting to qualified candidates with lived experience.

House of Friendship supports justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our workplace. We strive to be a workplace free of harassment and discrimination and we are committed to removing barriers and being an inclusive, work environment. House of Friendship is a place where each person can bring their true selves and feel that they belong. We aspire to be an organization that is anti-racist and anti-oppressive so that our team, and therefore our community, can truly belong and thrive.

We invite applications from all qualified candidates and actively encourage applications from members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to accessing employment including, but not limited to Indigenous Peoples, members of racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

If you require accommodations to be able to participate fully at any stage in the recruitment process, including applying for this position, please let us know so that we can discuss accommodation options.  Accommodations will be provided upon request.

If you are as passionate as we are about serving the community, let’s talk.

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter here:

https://house-of-friendship.hirehive.com/addiction-treatment-worker-raam-kitchener-on-uFNYcf

By end of day April 7, 2025.