SK, Regina, Counsellor

Do you want to work for a health care organization that changes people's lives? One that not only cares deeply about clients, but also values that its employees are its greatest asset?

Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada is a unique health services organization that serves people who are blind or partially sighted across the country. Our certified specialists provide training that empowers clients to develop or to restore activities of daily living skills, to promote their independence, to enhance safety and mobility. We work closely with ophthalmologists, optometrists and other health care professionals, by providing essential care on a referral basis in homes, workplaces and communities across the country.

We offer competitive salaries and benefits, flexible schedules, and opportunities to grow.

For more information about Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada, please visit visionlossrehab.ca or call 1-844-887-8572​.

Position Title: Counsellor

Location: Regina, 

Reports To: Regional Manager, Service & Operations

Date: March 16, 2022

Rate: $23.60

Scope and Summary of Primary Responsibilities

This position is focused on the provision of counselling intervention to clients accessing Vision Loss Rehabilitation Services. The role requires the ability to demonstrate professional ethics and practices expected of a counsellor, while offering a service that is responsive, confidential, person-centred, and focussed on adjusting to vision loss.

The role is positioned to enable clients to work towards and receive service provision offered by Vision Loss Rehabilitation services. Where necessary, external referrals to other agencies are actioned.

This position provides functional expertise within the provision of vision rehabilitation services using the EVRR (Electronic Vision Rehabilitation Record) application within a matrix reporting structure.

II. Essential Functions

The position entails, but is not limited to the following general responsibilities:

  • Provides high quality, professional, and confidential adjustment to vision loss counselling service to people with vision loss
  •   Conducts an initial assessment and associated administration to establish counselling service that would be helpful to the client in their adjustment to vision loss
  • Provides information, advice, and guidance to ensure that clients continue to be supported throughout their sight loss journey
  • Where the client is a youth, working with parents to determine their specific needs related to their family situation and support required for the youth and caregiver/parent
  •   Develops a structured and agreed set of counselling sessions that will meet the needs of the client followed by a formal re-assessment and review of these plans with the client at a predetermined time. The client base may include the parents of a youth
  •   Documents at the level of required professional standard of a provider of counselling and meets the organizational reporting requirements
  • Encourages individual independence, but acknowledges at times support is a necessary part of achieving this outcome and prepares clients for this transition
  • Utilises the most appropriate method of counselling to meet the clients' individual needs and assist with achieving their outcomes
  • Provides professional and appropriate referrals to other internal and external programs/teams that will benefit the client
  • Communicates effectively and confidentially with colleagues and external organizations
  • Records all required data into EVRR in a timely manner, consistent with VLR standards, including visit/time spent in service provision
  • Manages caseload in an effective and efficient manner
  • Other duties as assigned

Relationships

  • Builds relationships and partnerships with external stakeholders, partners, including local groups/agencies
  • Provides appropriate support and consultation to individuals, clients, and their families
  • Contributes as part of multidisciplinary team
  • Works collaboratively with other agencies to ensure relationships and client needs are communicated and understood within ethical boundaries
  • Refers to other counselling agencies when individual require services that are outside of the scope of the Vision Loss Rehabilitation counselling mandate

Problem Solving/Time Frame of Impact

  • Utilizes established business rules, service standards and practices, and ensures policy and procedures are followed in a timely fashion
  • Ability to creatively and quickly problem solve to respond to unique individual needs
  • Participates in service evaluation and program planning processes, as needed, to maintain and improve service outcomes

Decision Autonomy

  • Works under the general direction of national/divisional guidelines and standards but has latitude in making decisions on routine tasks
  • Consults with supervisor on issues that are more complex or may require upper-level approval
  • Exercises judgment and tact when working with individuals and knows when to elevate issues to the next level such as referring unusual client needs to appropriate person for service planning
  • Committed to maintaining privacy and confidentiality

Leadership

  • Takes initiative to keep abreast of new and changing community resources and VLRC policies & procedures
  • Facilitates and enhances team efforts on a professional level and shares specialized knowledge, resources, experience, concepts, and skills
  • Engages and mentors volunteers as required

III. Qualifications

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

  • Personal or professional experience relating to blindness and vision loss is considered an asset
  • Bilingualism is an asset
  • Well-developed interpersonal and communications skills, with emphasis on interviewing skills
  • Self-directed, organized, and detail oriented
  • Demonstration of a client-centered approach with commitment to excellent customer service
  • Demonstration of sound interviewing skills, good judgment, and ability to work under pressure
  • Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing
  • Ability to work in a team environment and independently, with minimum supervision
  • Proficient in use of both standard office software and specialized client management technology

Experience and Education

  • Qualifications in Counselling
  • Bachelors Degree
  • Minimum three years of experience working with individuals with a disability in a rehabilitation setting

Work Environment

  • Willingness to work flexible hours
  • Provides services in a variety of locations, including the clients' homes, places of work, community locations, etc.
  • Occasional travel may be required

Apply Now!

If this sounds like the role for you, apply now to nadine.haalboom@vlrehab.ca. Be sure to include a resume, cover letter, and mention how you heard about this opportunity

VLRC is committed to creating and fostering an inclusive culture and welcomes applications from diverse candidates, including but not limited to Indigenous peoples, women, candidates with disabilities, and candidates of colour. We strongly encourage applications from applicants with sight loss. Direct lived experience would be a definite asset. We're excited to review your application

Please note that the successful candidate will be required to pass a standard Criminal Record Check.

We thank all applicants for their interest in VLRC, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted

Closing Date for Applications: March 30, 2022