Indigenous Social Worker

August 27, 2024

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Nimkee Nupigawagan Healing Centre

Indigenous Social Worker

JOB SUMMARY

Nimkee Nupigawagan Healing Centre (NNHC) is seeking an experienced Registered Social Worker who excels in a team environment and has a strong background in handling complex social work cases. This perso, who is rooted in tradition, will address complex psychosocial issues, conduct casework and counseling, and extensively consult with the treatment team, parents/guardians, and other external providers regarding clients’ psychosocial situations.

NNHC and its employees are dedicated to a proactive, holistic approach to health and wellness, delivering services that are sustainable and respectful of Indigenous customs and traditions (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis). In this role, the individual will primarily develop the social services department, focusing on supporting and developing social relationships and spiritual connections. NNHC prioritizes promoting the growth, health, and safety of children, and providing Indigenous youth with the support, guidance, education, and opportunities needed to meet the needs of children, build healthy families, and help everyone thrive.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Use Indigenous traditions and practices to provide social support for program participants.
  • Create supportive and meaningful therapeutic plans with program participants, incorporating traditional Indigenous practices (e.g., traditional medicines, the medicine wheel, Seven Grandfather Teachings).
  • Collaborate with NNHC teams to provide healthcare services for clients with physical/mental health issues, substance dependence, concurrent disorders, and chronic diseases.
  • Work within a multidisciplinary teams and with community agencies/services to coordinate client treatment.
  • Assess client needs, abilities, and behaviors using various methods and therapeutic practices that centre on indigenous methods of healing.
  • Design and monitor supportive/therapeutic plans or treatment options, including therapy, counseling, and advice, in collaboration with colleagues.
  • Provide LGBTQ2S+ sensitive support, with expertise in working with Two-Spirit and transgender individuals’ complex social and cultural needs.
  • Offer therapy and treatments for mental health issues (e.g., anxiety, depression, addiction), social and interpersonal problems, and challenging behaviors.
  • Manage cases, providing therapeutic interventions for participants
  • Work in unison with the Cultural Coordinator to provide adequate traditional support and /or design models of care.
  • Facilitate or co-facilitate groups and workshops for participants.
  • Adhere to NNHC’s policies and procedures and relevant registering organization(s) ethical code of conduct.
  • Case note and document files and put into electronic secure data collection platform.
  • Ensure client/family/community confidentiality and privacy according to professional regulatory guidelines and legal requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Abstainer with at least two years continuous sobriety is a requirement by organizational policy.
  • Medical – Physical Assessment form – fit for duty must be completed prior to employment.

Education & Certification

  • Registered Social Worker (RSW) or Bachelor’s degree in Social Work (BSW) /Masters of Social Work (MSW) from an accredited school, with a minimum of three (3) years of recent, related experience in mental health or healthcare settings.
  • Current full registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers.
  • Experience in direct service, community-based healthcare, and working with Indigenous people.
  • Lived experience would be considered a tremendous asset.
  • Three years of recent experience in counseling for addictions, mental health, family conflict, and social barriers, or equivalent education and training.
  • Knowledge and experience in Child Welfare Services, with the ability to communicate relevant policies and practices to community members and leadership.
  • Current Vulnerable Persons Sector Check.
  • Local travel may require the use of a personal vehicle.
  • Current valid Ontario driver’s license and willingness to submit a driver’s abstract.

Experience

  • Familiarity with traditional Indigenous healing practices, customs, values, and traditions.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of case management and client/family-oriented care models for health/mental health needs.
  • Ability to apply systems theory in Social Work assessment and intervention.
  • Conduct meaningful assessments.
  • Knowledge of various therapeutic models which blend with indigenous forms of delivery.
  • Knowledge of Indigenous resources
  • Awareness of and adherence to professional ethics, with the ability to resolve ethical dilemmas.
  • Maintain strong working relationships with allied professionals, community leaders, knowledge keepers, and Elders.
  • Strong mediation, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills for emergency situations.
  • Advanced oral and written communication skills in English to connect with healthcare professionals and community organizations.
  • Ability to analyze, make independent decisions, think critically, and innovate strategies or intervention techniques to meet individual client needs.
  • Effective advocacy for marginalized populations.
  • Provide leadership and work direction.
  • Ability to teach, coach, and facilitate clients and families.
  • Develop and implement project action plans to achieve objectives.
  • Proficient in computers including Word, Excel, Outlook, Adobe and case noting software.

Other (Including physical and mental requirements)

  • Must be able to sit at a computer workstation and conduct sessions for long time periods.
  • High organizational ability and the ability to recall details and provide case notes on an ongoing basis.
  • Be comfortable performing multi-faceted projects in conjunction with day-to-day activities.
  • Speak clearly and hear.
  • Be able to endure the weather.
  • Conduct traditional Indigenous services and be enthusiastic about Indigenous spirituality and worldviews- ways of being, knowing and doing.

Other Considerations

Nimkee Nupigawagan Healing Centre focuses on Indigenous traditional healing modalities. Employees are expected to be involved in traditional ceremonial and cultural activities to support our participants healing.

Employees must be able to participate in ceremonies including smudging, sweat lodge, heal circles, and other ceremonies as a condition of employment.

ACCESSIBILITY AND ACCOMMODATIONS

If you require a specific accommodation because of a disability or a medical need, please reach out to the employer for arrangements.

Please send resume, cover letter, and copies of credentials by Monday, August 26th, 2024 at 12:00 pm. To:

Kristin McKenna, Human Resources and Operations Manager

Box 381, 20850 Muncey Road

Muncey, Ontario

N0L 1Y0

519-264-2277

kristin@nimkee.org