Knowledge and Experience in the 12-core Functions

All applicants must demonstrate knowledge and/or experience in the 12 core functions as defined in this section, through documented training/education and work experience.

Assessment of this requirement will be made through a review of the course descriptions and hours, transcripts, the job description, the Supervisor evaluation, and the reference and endorsement letters.

The competencies documented through this review are then assessed according to a competency scale, which is part of the certification level determination process.

The twelve Core Functions of the Chemical Dependency Counsellor

1. Screening

The process by which a client is determined appropriate and eligible for admission to a particular program. Through this process, the counselor, client and available significant others determine the most appropriate initial course of action, given the client's needs and characteristics, and the available resources within the community.

Education/training/experience required for this core function:

1. knowledge and understanding of the role of screening
2. knowledge of screening methods, tasks and tools to gather data systematically from the client and other sources to assess if a client is ready for treatment (screening instruments)
3. knowledge of methods/approaches to screen for psychoactive substance toxicity, intoxication, and withdrawal symptoms; aggression or danger to others; potential for self-inflicted harm or suicide; and coexisting mental health problems.
4. capacity to interpret the results of screening.
5. ability to establish rapport and motivate clients
6. ability to intervene with clients assessed to be at risk to harm themselves or others
7. ability to facilitate brief interventions with clients
8. knowledge of resources for clients’s referral

2. Intake

 The Administrative and initial assessment procedure for admission to a program.

Education/training/experience required for this core function:

1. capacity to communicate clearly and sensitively
2. knowledge of data gathering tools related to admission (forms, filing procedures)
3. knowledge of interviewing techniques
4. knowledge of protocols regarding the gathering and storing personal client information (confidentiality, clients legal rights)
5. capacity to listen, offer choices, respect client preference and make client feel valued
6. capacity to assess clients’ needs and to priorize these needs
7. knowledge of services that will responds to these needs (internal or external services)
8. knowledge of necessary administrative procedures for admission to treatment

3. Orientation

Describing to the client; the general nature and goals of the program, rules governing client conduct and infractions that can lead to disciplinary action or discharge from the program; in a non-residential program, the hours during which services are available; treatment costs to be borne by the client, treatment costs to be borne by the client, if any; and, client rights.
 
Education/training/experience required for this core function:

1. communications/interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with clients
2. knowledge of rules, protocols, costs and financial assistance available
3. knowledge of clients’ rights

4. Assessment and evaluation

Procedures by which a counsellor/program identifies and evaluates an individual’s strengths, weakness, problems and needs for the development of the treatment plan.

Evaluation and assessment skills insure that appropriate services meet client needs and include the ability to evaluate and assess client needs, and the ability to evaluate and assess the needs and problem stage level of the counseling recipient.

Education/training/experience required for this core function:

1. knowledge of the role of assessment as an important component of a client-centered plan
2. knowledge of the assessment methods, tasks and instruments
3. ability to interpret assessment results
4. knowledge of human growth and development, stages of recovery and strategies related to client motivation.
5. knowledge of family dynamics and interactions, with particular emphasis on the unique differences among First Nations families and communities.
6. knowledge of environmental and sociocultural aspects as they relate to First Nations, including:
   • early, middle and late signs and symptoms of addictions and/or polydrug abuse.
   • signs and symptoms of problems needing other medical/psychological and/or social assessment.
   • characteristics of family dysfunctions.

5. Treatment Planning

   Process by which the counsellor and the client:

   • identify and rank problems needing resolution;
   • establish agreed upon immediate and long-term goals, and;
   • decide on a treatment process and the resources to be utilized.

Treatment planning or case planning assures healthy participation of individuals and families in the counseling/treatment process, Counsellors should involve their clients in the counseling/treatment process of planning and individualized treatment programs.
           
Education/training/experience required for this core function:

1. knowledge of treatment approaches and long range rehabilitation processes, including management of the new and emerging problems attendant to the stages of change, of barriers and readiness for treatment
2. awareness of needs for medical care, post treatment crisis and support to forge and maintain a wellness lifestyle.
3. capacity to translate assessment information into treatment olans with clear goals and outcomes
4. ability to involve clients in the process of planning individualized treatment, admission and discharge.
5. ability to share evaluation findings with the clients and their families and in working through their reactions and/or resistance to this evaluation.
6. knowledge of and ability to participate in various comprehensive treatment processes, knowledge of their rationale, relationship to other methods, and their strengths, limitations and appropriateness for treatment.
7. ability to make treatment recommendations based on information obtained from relevant instruments (ex: screening and assessment results) and matching treatment to clients needs, ability and preferences , including clients legal rights
8. ability to assist clients to accept and resolve financial responsibilities including acquiring financial knowledge and where appropriate, paying for treatment and Counselling
9. writing skills and documentation to effectively communicate necessary information to clients, management, co-workers, colleagues, and other agencies.

6. Counselling: Individual, Group and Significant others

The utilization of special skills to assist individuals, families or groups in achieving objectives through:

• exploration of a problem and its ramifications;
• examination of attitudes and feelings;
• consideration of alternative solutions, and;
• decision making.

The counselling and treatment process relates to the primary direct delivery of service. Counselling constitutes a major portion of treatment: and therefore requires a deepened level of skills and knowledge.

Education/training/experience required for this core function:

Knowledge and skills in individual and group Counselling methods, including cultural techniques for including spouses, families, and other significant individuals or groups.

1. knowledge of addictions counseling theories and practice
2. ability to use Counselling models, techniques, to educate, elicit feelings, facilitate self-understanding, and motivate the client to Wellness.
3. ability to establish and maintain a genuine, warm, respectful, and empathic therapeutic relationship with a client.
4. familiarity with the philosophy and process of recognized and accepted self-help groups such as: Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon, Codependency Anonymous, Adult Children of Alcoholics, Al-A-Teen, Parents Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous, Sexual Addiction Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Over-Eaters Anonymous and the importance of these supports for long term rehabilitation.
5. knowledge of and skill in goal setting, contracting, and problem solving.
6. ability to recognize denial defense behaviors and mechanisms. And to motivate clients to achieve their treatment goals
7. ability to locate and/or develop and utilize informational support systems, such as:
   • materials, pamphlets, literature, films, videos, research reports, workshops, etc.
   • consultation services, such as traditional/cultural, medical, psychiatric, legal, vocational, etc.
8. Ability to recognize own professional and personal limitation

7. Case Management

For each client, the continuum of substance abuse treatment ranges from case finding to treatment planning and treatment implementation to aftercare that responds to his/her particular needs. Case management supports a client as he moves through the recovery continuum and reinforces treatment goals.

The difference between substance the treatment function and the case management function is that treatment involves activities that help clients recognize their problems, that inspire their motivation and offer them tools to stay abstinent, and to use these tools.

Case management focuses on helping the substance abuser acquire needed resources. It includes a range of activities which bring services, agencies, resources or people together within a planned framework of action toward the achievement of established goals.  It may involve liaison activities and collateral contracts.

Education/training/experience required for this core function:

1. knowledge of case management models
2. knowledge of treatment options
3. capacity to develop, evaluate, adjust, treatment plans as appropriate
4. knowledge of methods to assess client's progress toward treatment goals
5. ability to match clients and most appropriate available services
6. knowledge human resources (self-help groups, agencies, crisis intervention programs, other professionals, governmental entities, and the community-at-large etc..) to address needs and ensure appropriate referrals,
7. ability to establish and maintain helping relationship with clients, family members, co-workers and external colleagues
8. ability to advocate for clients
9. ability to work as part of a team

8. Crisis Intervention

Those services which respond to an alcohol and or other drug abuser’s needs during acute emotional and/or physical distress.

Education/training/experience required for this core function:

1. knowledge and understanding of what constitutes a crisis and ability to recognize a client in crisis
2. knowledge of the principles of crisis intervention
3. ability to use effective verbal and non verbal communication to deal with a client in crisis
4. capacity to develop and implement a plan for resolving a crisis
5. knowledge of counseling techniques for individuals in crisis in order to ensure safety and promote positive change
6. knowledge of community resources and supports that may assist in the management of the crisis

9. Client Education

Provision of information to individuals and groups concerning alcohol and other drug abuse, on risks and implications related to psychoactive substance use, as well as available prevention, treatment and recovery resources.and the available services and resources.

Education/training/experience required for this core function:

1. ability to provide appropriate (culture, age, gender, individual, family etc..) information that raise awareness and support substance abuse prevention/treatment/recovery processes
2. knowledge of alcohol and other drugs, their signs, symptoms and their effects on the individual and families
3. knowledge of principles and philosophy of prevention, treatment and recovery
4. ability to offer information to the client through formal and/or information processes.
5. knowledge about available alcohol and other drug services and resources
6. understanding of health and behavior problems related to substance abuse, including transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS, FASD

10. Referral

Identifying the needs of the client that cannot be met by the counsellor or agency and assisting the client to utilize the support systems and community resources available.

First Nations clients and their families have a multitude of needs that may require a multidisciplinary approach. Appropriate community agencies must be utilized by the Counsellor in order to meet and serve a wide spectrum of needs

Education/training/experience required for this core function:

1. understanding of the role and scope of outreach services
2. knowledge of and access to community support sources, their eligibility requirements, treatment philosophies, administrative contact and service procedures.
3. ability to interpret the needs of individuals and families with drugs and alcohol related problems and to determine appropriate referrals referral and educational resources (other types of Counselling and services, such as traditional cultural, spiritual, pastoral church counseling, public assistance, and vocational or occupational counseling)          
4. ability to contact and contract with other agencies, persons or groups, including those with different treatment philosophies.

11.  Reports and Record Keeping

Charting the results of the assessment and treatment plan, writing reports, progress notes, discharge summaries and other client-related data.

Education/training/experience required for this core function:

1. knowledge of accepted principles of client record management (components of client records, including release forms, assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, and discharge summaries and plans).
2. ability to prepare reports/records that comply with regulations (ie: screening, intake, assessment reports, plans and other documents).
3. capacity to analyse and summarise information
4. knowledge of technologies in use for client records
5. ability to protect client rights to privacy and confidentiality in the preparation and handling of records
6. ability to record progress of client in relation to treatment goals

12. Consultation With Other Professionals In Regard To Client Treatment/Services

This core function involves relating with our own and other professionals to assure comprehensive, quality care for the client.

It involves the administrative, clinical, and evaluative activities that bring the client, treatment services, community agencies, and other resources together to focus on issues and needs identified in the treatment plan.

It also involves collaboration with the client and significant others, coordination of treatment and referral services, liaison activities with community resources and managed care systems, client advocacy, and ongoing evaluation of treatment progress and client needs.

Education/training/experience required for this core function:

1. ability to gather information about client and client’s treatment process to identify consultation needs
2. knowledge of internal and external resources able to provide assistance in regards to client’s needs
3. ability to summarize client’s personal and cultural background, treatment plan, recovery progress, and problems inhibiting progress for purpose of assuring quality of care, gaining feedback, and planning changes in the course of treatment
4. Understand terminology, procedures, and roles of other disciplines related to the treatment of substance use disorders
5. Knowledge and respect of confidentiality protocols, regulations, and clients rights
6. Respect and non-judgmental attitudes toward clients in all contacts with community professionals and agencies.