The Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre (WOCRC) is a community-based, not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting health, wellness, safety, and inclusion across far west Ottawa. Since 1986, WOCRC has supported individuals and families through a wide range of community, social, and health services designed to strengthen and empower the communities we serve.
Our programs support children, youth, families, newcomers, seniors, and individuals experiencing crisis or social isolation through counselling, housing and violence against women services, community development initiatives, health promotion, and family support programming.
At WOCRC, we are committed to fostering healthy, inclusive, vibrant, and resilient communities where individuals feel supported, connected, and empowered to thrive.
POSITION SUMMARY:
Under the supervision of the Supervisor, Health Promotion and Outreach, the Social Prescribing Counsellor provides crisis and brief intervention services, information, assessment and referral to clients identified by social prescribing physician partners.
ROLE SUMMARY:
This is a casual position requiring flexibility. This role may require the occasional evening availability and Saturday shift. The starting rate is $29.75 to $30.35/hr.
PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
This position builds capacity in health promotion and prevention activities. Using a lens of the Social Determinants of Health, this role collaborates with residents, Primary Care partners, and others to support initiatives that promote well-being, prevent illness and enhance access to resources.
Recognizing the challenges of our rural geography, this is a mobile role, with capacity to offer programming in local medical clinics, at WOCRC and in rural community settings.
Service Coordination and Referral Support:
Provide Direct Service
- Provide initial contact to new clients of the WOCRC, establish rapport, assist in identifying needs and provide information about services;
- Make and follows up on referrals to health and social services, ensuring seamless access to appropriate supports;
- Provide support to clients - referred by a health provider - in clinics, at WOCRC or in community settings by connecting them to programs or services that holistically support their health and wellbeing across the social determinants of health;
- Connect clients with appropriate internal and community resources;
- Assist clients in accessing desired basic need services, such as child care, transportation, etc;
- Connect individuals and families to learning opportunities, such as city-wide training sessions, community conversations, and wraparound services;
- Assess level of risk and provide follow-up as required;
- Facilitate education and support groups as required;
- Provide crisis intervention services through telephone contacts and on a walk-in basis; and
- Provide brief intervention counselling using evidence-based techniques;
Advocate on behalf of clients
- Participate in advocacy and coordination committees about services available, gaps in services, and issues affecting individuals, couples and families;
- Promote participation of clients and community in general, in activities designed to educate and/or advocate for prevention.
Partnership Development and Collaboration
- Act as a consultant to colleagues, agencies and the community regarding crisis services in the Ottawa area;
- Respond to community requests for information or presentations;
- Serve as a staff resource for training and development;
- Participate as a staff member in public relations and fundraising events, as requested.
Ensure coordination of policy and service
- Participate as a direct intervention team member at internal and external meetings;
- Advocate for coordinated planning of services;
- Establish and maintain links with community groups and agencies to facilitate referrals and positive working relationships;
- Coordinate inter-agency referrals.
Serve as a staff resource for training and development
- Offer in-service training to colleagues;
- Provide training to community groups;
- Provide support and training to students as required;
- Provide support and training to volunteers as required.
Ensure evaluation of service
- Participate in WOCRC evaluation processes;
- Prepare and maintain all necessary documentation and statistics related to intake and counselling activities on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis.
Other:
All WOCRC employees have some fundamental responsibilities that go beyond the confines of their occupations. These include:
- Ensuring that the commitment to diversity is understood and respected.
- Working in a manner that incorporates health promotion and recognizes the determinants of health
- Maintaining up-to-date professional skills and knowledge through formal and informal training;
- Acting as an “ambassador” for WOCRC within and outside the Centre by creating an awareness of WOCRC programs and promoting services offered;
- Compliance with all mandated legal/regulatory requirements related to working at WOCRC (Employment Standards Act, Occupational Health and Safety, standards of professional conduct);
- Maintaining awareness of and compliance with WOCRC policies and procedures;
- Maintaining awareness of and compliance with funder requirements, policies,
- procedures and regulations;
- Working in a manner that preserves confidentiality and seeks to minimize risk in keeping with Privacy and Confidentiality Policies and Procedures.
- Supporting the Centre’s student and volunteer placement programs.
- Working during both regular and extended hours of operation in locations identified by the Centre.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Experience
- Bachelor of Social Work or equivalent in education and training;
- Two-year pertinent experience in direct service, crisis intervention and brief therapy.
- Obtain and maintain membership in CRPO or the college of Social Workers.
- Experience working with Healthcare Professionals preferred
Knowledge & Abilities
- Demonstrated ability to co-create and refine approaches to emerging community needs
- Proven ability to develop, nurture, and sustain strategic partnerships with community organizations, including collaborating on initiatives that advance organizational objectives and strengthen community impact.
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
- Demonstrated commitment to and knowledge of community-based model of intervention and health equity principles;
- Knowledge of the Child and Family Services Act;
- Knowledge of the Mental Health Act;
- Knowledge of social services delivery in Ottawa;
- Excellent assessment skills;
- Strong organizational and communication skills;
- Strong public speaking and popular education skills;
- Multitasking abilities;
- Demonstrated commitment to anti-racist/anti-oppression principles;
- Ability to work well autonomously, as well as in a team environment.
Languages
- Ability to communicate fluently in English, spoken and written mandatory;
- Ability to communicate fluently in French, spoken and written, an asset.
Computer Competencies:
- Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office suite of products
- Familiarity with Data Management Systems
- Clinical note taking and documentation
Other:
- Valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle required.
Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
The Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre (WOCRC) is committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible, and equitable workplace where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. We value diversity and are dedicated to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
WOCRC welcomes applications from individuals of all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences, including but not limited to women, Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, newcomers, and individuals from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.
We are committed to providing accommodation throughout the recruitment and selection process in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Applicants requiring accommodation are encouraged to contact Human Resources via email at
[email protected].
We thank all applicants for their interest. However, due to the volume of applications received, only those selected for interview will be contacted.
This role represents an existing vacancy.
