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 for professional development and growth.

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

Position Title: Counsellor, Vision Services

Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba

Term: Part-Time, Contract (21 hours/week, ending March 31, 2025)

Reports To: Regional Manager, Healthcare Operations

Salary: $27.37/hour

Date: May 24, 2024

I. 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, client centred, and focused on adjusting to vision loss.

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

II. Essential Functions

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

· Provides high quality, professional, and confidential adjustment to vision loss counselling services to individuals with vision loss.

· Conducts an initial assessment or case history collection to establish counselling services 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.

· Evaluate the effectiveness of counselling programs and interventions, and clients' progress in their adjustment to vision loss.

· 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.

· Utilizes the most appropriate method of counselling to meet the clients' individual needs and assist with achieving their outcomes.

· Responds appropriately and in a timely manner to crises situations, including assessing and addressing high-risk behaviors (I.e. self-harm or suicide).

· 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 in data system in a timely manner, consistent with VLRC standards.

· Delivers services in keeping with VLRC's standards and provides effective and timely management of caseload.

· 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 requires services that are outside of the scope of the Vision Loss Rehabilitation counselling mandate.

Problem Solving

· 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 and 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.

· Participates in professional development activities and remains current with developments in a specialized field of study.

· Facilitates and enhances team efforts on a professional level and shares specialized knowledge, resources, experience, concepts, and skills.

Requirements

III. Qualifications

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

· Personal or professional experience relating to blindness and vision loss is considered an asset.

· Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with emphasis on motivational interviewing skills using a person-centered approach.

· Self-directed, organized, and detail oriented with the ability to work under pressure.

· Demonstration of a client-centered approach with a commitment to enable effective diagnosis and planning of treatments for each client.

· Ability to work in a team environment and independently, with minimum supervision and use good judgment.

· Proficient in use of both standard office software and specialized client management technology.

Experience and Education

· Bachelor's degree in counselling, therapy or mental health.

· Master's degree in counseling is considered an asset.

· Lived experience or experience working with individuals with a disability in a rehabilitation or community setting.

Benefits

Work Environment

· Provides services remotely.

· Willingness to work flexible hours.

· Occasional travel will be required.

Apply Now!

If this sounds like the role for you, apply now to [email protected]

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 workplace and we are committed to a fair, transparent, and accessible recruitment process. We strongly encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including but not limited to Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, people who are blind, partially sighted, or deafblind, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.We strongly encourage applications from applicants with sight loss. Direct lived experience would be a definite asset.

VLRC is committed to accommodating applicants with disabilities and will work with applicants requesting accommodations at any stage of the hiring process. Please note that the successful candidate will be required to pass a standard Vulnerable Sector Check.

Not sure if you qualify? Think about applying anyway!We understand that not everyone brings 100% of the skills and experience for the role. If you possess similar experience to what we've listed above, we encourage you to apply. We believe that diverse experience, transferable skills, and passion are key!

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

Closing Date for Applications: June 14, 2024