Therapeutic Community Program Manager

Connective Support Society:

Connective is a dynamic non-profit organization that provides innovative programming in the social services sector.  The Vancouver Island Therapeutic Community program is located on the traditional and ancestral lands of the Snuneymuxw First Nation.  We strive to create safe, healthy, and inclusive communities for all.  In Nanaimo, our programs include addiction treatment, restorative practices, community reintegration, employment, community health, and wellbeing.  Connective Support Society Nanaimo is an innovation-based organization in our responses to homelessness, addiction, and interaction with the justice system. 

Program: Vancouver Island Therapeutic Community (VITC)

Reports to: Director Programs and Service Implementation

Wage Grid: $32.00 – $36.00

Hours/Week: 35 hours, some evening work required.

On-Call Component: Provide emergency on call support for the staff and residents

This position requires the ability to work flexible hours based on operational needs.

Program/Role Description:

The Vancouver Island Therapeutic Community (VITC) is a twenty-bed, residential, substance abuse, treatment program for adult males. Nanaimo Connective Support Society is hiring a 1 FTE Program Manager; the Program Manager will be responsible for assisting the Director of Addiction Services in managing the Vancouver Island Therapeutic Community (VITC) Assisted Living Registry program, the clinical staff, facilitating cognitive behavioral groups and completing administrative tasks.  

The Program Manager assists individuals living at VITC and helps connect residents to support services and facilitates their transition back into the community.  They will connect with clients to offer practical help and emotional support. The aim is to provide individuals assistance within the community to be healthy and safe, and to build on their own supports and strengths.

Under the supervision and direction of the Director of Addictions, the manager leads, supports, and develops the program staff. They will oversee services from intake through discharge to ensure quality of client care. Priorities include crisis management and ensuring client safety while ensuring standards and guidelines are maintained. 

 Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Engagement with Connective Support Services management and monthly reporting to BC Corrections and the Canadian Mental Health Association.
• Conduct an intake assessment with each client in order to assess the needs of the client and to determine appropriate intervention
• Observe the social and psychological environment of the program, increasing resident awareness by providing feedback on behavior and attitudes
• Role model behavioral expectations of dress, daily work habits, interpersonal communication, positive attitudes, temperament, emotional self-management and adherence to VITC rules
• Adhere to professional guidelines in respect to client confidentiality
• Endeavour to keep abreast of issues, information and education related to the position
• Undertake other duties as may be assigned by the Director of Addiction Services to improve or enhance the delivery of service
• Maintain appropriate statistical information for monthly and annual reporting purposes as well as maintains the program budget.
• Provide emergency on call support for the staff and residents of the program.

SERVICES PROVIDED MAY INCLUDE:

• Service to Clients: Provides direct service to individuals to assist them in relevant area; meets with clients, client's families, Mental Health practitioners, and/or Probation to establish the collective goals and plan for the service period.
• Agency Participation: Participates in agency meetings; participates in Agency and relevant Team activities and in-service training as required for the position.
• Case Management: Recognizes potential client crises, analyzes circumstances and dynamics with sound judgment, develops strategies to deal with crises and unusual incidents, documents unusual incidents and informs all individuals and agencies as necessary; able to work collaboratively with probation officers and other professionals.
• Best practice:  stays informed of best practices and provides a quality of service to reflect these. Maintain all general systems of reporting and communication to the standards of the Society.

OTHER ASPECTS/SKILLS DECISION MAKING:

• Establish and maintain a therapeutic rapport with clients
• Ability to show empathy, patience and understanding to build good working relationships with clients who may be initially hostile.
• Able to assess situations based on individual client's needs, family needs, program needs, and agency policy
• Able to adjust services based on individual levels of competence and emotional state.
• Able to be non-judgmental and committed to supporting people in difficult circumstances.

Resilient, assertive and the ability to stay calm under pressure.

Experience and Skills:

• Duties include providing support to staff, facilitating treatment groups, providing individual assessment, counselling, and release planning.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience overseeing the administration of addiction programs and services, including supervision of staff and Residents within a Therapeutic Community or residential addiction treatment program in a community setting.
• Experience working with stakeholders including the province of BC (e.g. BC Corrections, Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, Community Corrections Branch), Indigenous organizations, and other community service delivery agencies.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully manage programs aimed at treatment and sustained recovery for addiction including the use of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and other relevant modalities associated with trauma-informed practice of addiction treatment.
• Demonstrated ability to utilize recognized assessment tools and admit individuals into a residential treatment and recovery program that will benefit from the treatment offered at the Vancouver Island Therapeutic Community.
• Demonstrated skills and understanding in the elements and practices of a traditional therapeutic community prescribed by Dr. G Deleon, The Therapeutic Community, Theory Model and Method.
• Demonstrated skills in observing the social and psychological environment of the TC, increasing resident awareness by providing feedback on behaviour.
• Keen awareness of issues facing diverse communities, including systemic barriers and issues stemming from colonization.

• Enhance service delivery to our Indigenous Clients within Connective through shared resources.

Qualifications:

1. Certificate or Baccalaureate Degree in a related health discipline
2. Ability to successfully complete a Vulnerable Persons Criminal Records Check
3. Ability to successfully pass a reference check
4. Current Emergency First Aid Certificate (preferred)
5. Covid-19 Vaccinated
6. Valid driver’s license
7. Driver’s abstract
8. Personal transportation that is in good repair, insured for business up to $1,000,000 for liability, and which can be used to transport clients
9. Knowledge of Community resources
10. Have ability to use wireless communication tools

Working Challenges:

When working with a vulnerable population, there can be exposure to adverse environmental working conditions. These can include verbal and physical aggression, which require safety precautions and a calm perspective in approaching the situation. Although there are challenges involved with this role, guidelines and policies are in place to support the employee in the workplace.