Human Resources Position Description: Bathhouse Counsellor



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Position Title:
.Bathhouse Counsellor
Department:
Support Services
Reporting to:
Manager of Support Services
Category:
Bargaining Unit
Last Updated:
04/01/2009
Hours per week:
15.00
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Summary:
This on-site (ie in bath houses) counselling role aims to reduce the transmission of HIV/STIs and improving the overall sexual health of diverse communities of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. Priority populations within this broader class of men include men who use drugs and alcohol and have sex, older men, HIV positive men, men who are new to Canada, straight-identified and/or bisexual men, trans people, young men, male sex workers, men who seek unprotected anal sex and/or identify with a ‘bareback’ subculture, and men who are socially or economically marginalized due to a range of factors. Working directly with men in bathhouses, this position will provide support through increased access to psycho-social counselling and other support and community services.

This is a community pilot project managed within the AIDS Committee of Toronto and will work collaboratively with the counsellor/program coordinator and Project Advisory Committee (PAC).


Project Development
  1. Contributes to the development and implementation of program work plans..
  2. Conducts ongoing program analyses and makes program recommendations.
  3. Training and preparation, including community outreach, shift scheduling, clinical supervision.
  4. Contributes to the development of a comprehensive referral list.
  5. Supports the development and maintenance of effective working relationships with bathhouse management/staff.

Counselling
  1. Provides assessment, counselling and referral services; counselling approaches will be consistent with the context, including brief, solution focused counselling, anti-oppression approaches, and motivational interviewing.
  2. Provide crisis-counselling and suicide intervention, as needed.
  3. Address a range of psycho-social issues that take into account individual needs and the relationship of the individual to their communities; the counsellor should foster community ties as appropriate.
  4. Addresses substance use issues using harm reduction principles.
  5. Provides affirming, supportive experience to foster a sense of community.
  6. Addresses sexual health issues using a risk reduction and sex-positive approach

Administration
  1. Maintains program records, including maintenance of information in database of client demographics and service provision.
  2. Contributes to statistical and program reports and proposals.
  3. Assists with the development, recommendations and implementation of workplans and budget.
  4. Complies with the AIDS Committee of Toronto’s policies and procedures.
  5. Performs other tasks as assigned by management.