JOB POSTING POSITION TITLE:

Breakaway Client Support Worker (Core Teams: Satellite and Harm Reduction Counselling and Support Team)

STATUS: Full Time, Permanent (Unionized)

REPORTS TO: Clinical Director HRS/WEEK: 35 hours per week

SALARY: $55,003 – $66,915 (or Full Time Equivalency to this salary range)

POSTING DATE: May 15, 2025

CLOSING DATE: May 30, 2025

 

ORGANIZATIONAL SUMMARY: Breakaway Community Services is a multifunction treatment agency that provides a range of outpatient, day treatment and outreach programs. We are strongly committed to providing innovative community services from a harm reduction, trauma-informed perspective. We develop programs that are accessible, barrier free and open to all community members. “The Satellite” Opiate Treatment Program is a community-based opioid treatment program operated by Breakaway Community Services. The Satellite team provides comprehensive services to people who are facing challenges related to their use of opioid drugs. Services offered include: Opioid Agonist Treatment (O.A.T.), therapy, case management, nursing care and health education, and access to resources such as harm reduction supplies, food bank and clothing. Client satisfaction at Satellite is strong and we pride ourselves on successfully maintaining long term engagement with our clients. We believe that central to our success is our commitment to a strong team ethic and to supportive reflection of our practice which allows us to provide services that are trauma-informed and truly harm reducing. Our team includes: Counsellors and Client Support Worker, in addition to a Nurse, Addiction Medicine Physician, Lab Technician and strong administrative support. Many opportunities for support in clinical practice exist which include personalized supervision schedule, weekly team and clinical meetings, as well as agency wide bi-monthly psychiatry consult and peer consultations. The Harm Reduction Counselling and Supports Team (HRCST) provides community-based services to street-involved people, people living in poverty who use substances, have mental health issues and are seeking support concerning their drug use. The focus of this role will be to provide case management supports in coordination and collaboration with the rest of HRCS/Satellite team.

 

POSITION SUMMARY: The Client Support Worker plays an integral role in the delivery of our program’s comprehensive opioid treatment services and supporting people who use substances. Your caseload will consist of clients addressing various stages of their substance use. All of our clinic participants are either actively using opioids or have had a history of opioid use. The majority will be currently engaged in Opioid Agonist Treatment within the clinic. The Client Support Worker plays an integral role in the delivery of comprehensive opiate treatment services. The Client Support Worker provides case management services to a caseload of clients engaged in Opioid Agonist Treatment and/or who are actively using opioids or have a history of opioid use. The client support worker will also work in coordination and collaboration with the team in support of service users treatment goals. This can include accompaniment to appointments, supporting service users through application processes and preparing and supporting individuals to accessing counselling when appropriate. Case management is in service of the therapeutic relationship and can also include use of grounding and soft counselling, supportive listening skills. In addition, the client support worker provides support to the program by facilitating the drop-in space, coordinating donations and supplies, overseeing harm reduction supplies and distribution.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Contribute to a multidisciplinary team in the delivery of comprehensive opiate addiction services from a harm reduction framework

· Deliver responsive, accessible, and flexible service from a harm reduction approach

· Complete intakes and comprehensive assessments and treatment planning

· Work with a caseload of clients to provide counselling/therapy and case management services, including facilitating referrals, systems advocacy and navigation

· Facilitate group programming

· Provide harm reduction and overdose education and responses

· Collaborate with internal and external health and social service providers to coordinate services for clients.

· Represent the agency and program in the community

· Engage with stakeholders and participates in working groups and committees as appropriate and/or as directed

· Provide consultation and training related to opioid use and treatment to community-based agencies and health care providers

· Other duties as required

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

· B.S.W plus 2 years of experience preferably as a case manager or a combined equivalent of education and experience

· Registration with regulatory college (ie: OCSWSSW) is an asset

· Experience working with people with substance use and mental health issues

· Experience working within a multidisciplinary team considered an asset

· Knowledge of Toronto health, social services, mental health and addiction resources

· Strong understanding of opioid use/dependence, treatment options, and current trends

· Experience collaborating with and advocating within the following systems is considered as asset: hospital/medical/treatment settings; child welfare; mental health; social assistance; and criminal justice

· Recently demonstrated knowledge and skills in assessment, engagement, counselling, case management, group facilitation and crisis intervention

· A strong commitment to the principles of harm reduction and trauma informed care

· Ability to work with a variety of client presenting situations, personalities and levels of ability

· Self-directed, organized, and demonstrated supportive team member abilities

· Current First Aid/CPR and CPI certificate preferred, or willing to be trained

· Demonstrated skill and competence in establishing supportive, trusting relationships with people who use drugs

· Experience and commitment to harm reduction

· This work offers the opportunity to work with individuals across a wide range of demographics

 

Please submit a Resume and Cover Letter in one document to: SATELLITE – CLIENT SUPPORT WORKER, HIRING COMMITTEE Breakaway Community Services 21 Strickland Avenue, Toronto, ON M6K 3E6 Attention: Stephen Chatterton Or E-mail: [email protected]

 

Breakaway Community Services is strongly committed to the principles of equal opportunity and nondiscrimination. We encourage people from frequently under-represented and marginalized communities to apply. We thank all applicants. However, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Breakaway is committed to developing an inclusive, barrier-free selection process and work environment. We seek to provide accessibility for all applicants, consistent with our accessibility policies and the AODA. Please let us know if you require an accommodation and we will work with you to meet your accessibility needs.