Black Health Mental Health and Wellness Counsellor (AMANI)

Job Description

Position Summary:

The Black Health – Mental Health and Wellness Counsellor, provides counselling/therapy and other therapeutic functions and participates in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programs and services for the Black community. As a member of the multidisciplinary, inter-professional team, the Black Mental Health and Wellness provides case management, individual and group-work services to Black clients.

The Black Health – Mental Health and Wellness Counsellor will provide culturally responsive services and care to clients from the Black communities. Provide support to those who are dealing with mental illness and/or co-morbid addiction. When necessary, provide consultation and referrals to other providers serving this population. The Black Health – Mental Health and Wellness Counsellor will deliver care within the Africentric model of care that recognizes the lived experience of Black individuals who have faced anti-Black racism and oppression as it relates to the many aspects of their lives.

The Africentric model of care is rooted in holistic, healing centered, Africentric, and culturally responsive care. Offering a range of prevention, early intervention, harm reduction, and recovery-oriented services, to assist the Black community in reducing harm, moving toward recovery, and making healthy choices for themselves and their family. The program focusses on the full spectrum of social determinants of health and is grounded in shared community values. The service also recognizes the resiliency and strength, cultural diversity, and intersectional experiences of the Black community.

Hamilton Urban Core’s Black Health Program is individually tailored to respond to the lived experiences of anti-Black racism, and systemic oppression that the Black community is subjected to. The Black Health Program recognizes that mental health, and health services more generally, have historically and presently, harmed Black and Indigenous peoples. We recognize that access to these systems; even though these services will be Black led, still exist within systems that perpetuate anti-black racism, colonialism, and patriarchy. We recognize that access to these systems can be unsafe, and much of the work is to provide culturally safe, strength-based, resourceful, healing centered, and low barrier care.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the expansion of Black Mental Health initiatives

• Work collaboratively with partner Health Service Providers as well as engage with Ontario Health Teams

• Build on Hamilton Urban Core’s (HUC) pre-existing Black Health Strategy that focuses on Black children/youth and Black families.

• Provide psychosocial assessments by gaining an understanding of health risks based on the Social Determinants of Health framework

• Ensure comprehensive treatment for Black clients by providing information, counseling/therapy and when necessary, referring them to other community health Centre professionals and/or act as a client advocate

• Support mental health needs of Black children living with Sickle Cell Disease

• Address the needs of Black infants/pediatric program through the attached breastfeeding clinic.

• Provide crisis intervention and/or specialized treatment to complex cases

• Develop and deliver programs and organize groups for Black children, youth and families

• Ensure appropriate treatment is delivered by maintaining client records and assessment notes and correspondence within the safeguard of confidentiality

• Engage with Black clients to develop a trusting, supportive and sustained long-term relationship

• Utilize a strengths-based approach, provide support, encouragement, information, and feedback that enable Black clients and family members to realize their goals

• Work within an anti-racism, anti-oppression, culturally sensitive, language appropriate framework 

• Use an anti-oppressive and Africentric practice

• Link Black clients and family members to support and services that will promote their well-being, enhance their ability to meet their mental health needs and which aid in the exhibition of adaptive behaviors that address problematic substance

• In collaboration with the Black Health Case Manager, develop working relationships and rapport with community service providers in providing culturally adaptive language & services which consider the experiences of the African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) community around racial trauma, racial gaslighting

• Assist Black clients (and families) in identifying and advocating for their civil and legal rights

• Act as resource person to Hamilton Urban Core CHC staff by compiling information on African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) community resources and facilitate access to those resources by liaising with (ACB) community groups, and other health/social service agencies

• Develop and maintain a flexible work schedule that accommodates the needs of the (ACB) community and the Black Health Team and as approved by your manager. Ability to work flexible hours including evening and weekends

• Participate in staff meetings and on interdisciplinary teams as may be required

• Carry out other duties as may be assigned from time to time

Qualifications:

•        Master’s degree in social work or counseling/therapy from a recognized university Undergraduate degree/diploma.

•         Three years related experience working with people who have serious and persistent mental illness or an Ontario Certificate of Qualification as a Mental Health Worker (MHW) or equivalent training and experience.

•         Has proof of registration and is in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers

•         Proven skills in psychosocial assessment, counseling/therapy, crisis intervention, case management and referral

•        Demonstrated commitment to and lived experience of anti-Black racism and Africentric values and principles

•         Knowledge of community resources for African Canadian and Caribbean youth and their families in substance abuse treatment is essential

•        A deep fundamental and comprehensive knowledge of the unique challenges faced by African Canadian and Caribbean communities across the social determinants of health

•        Ability to work with Black clients to develop and enhance their identity, culture and sense of belongingness to their community through knowledge and understanding of health, social service and community development agencies

•         A commitment to interdisciplinary team approach to coordination of health and social services

•        Proficiency in current assessment, counseling/therapy and psychosocial counseling techniques for working with individuals, groups and communities

•        Demonstrated skills and experience in the assessment and treatment of substance abuse and/or mental health treatment inclusive of individual and group counseling

•       Fluency in French, is a significant asset

HirPay Range: $53,140.56 - $60,905.50

Benefits:

• Company events

• Company pension

• Dental care

• Disability insurance

• Extended health care

• Life insurance

• On-site parking

• Paid time off

• Vision care

How to Apply:

Excited by this potential opportunity? Please submit a resume and cover letter to:

Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre is an equal opportunity employer. For accommodations to participate in the hiring process, please contact [email protected] to request assistance.

Please note only those selected for an interview will be contacted.