Mental Health Counsellor - Work From Your Home

Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada (VLRC) is a national health services organization dedicated to empowering people who are blind or partially sighted to live safely and independently.

Our certified specialists provide client-centered rehabilitation, mobility training, and daily living skills programs that help clients build confidence and thrive. We work collaboratively with ophthalmologists, optometrists, and other health care professionals, offering essential care on a referral basis in homes, workplaces, and communities across the country. We value our employees as our greatest asset — and we’re committed to supporting their well-being, professional growth, and work-life balance. Position Title: Counsellor

Term: Part-time, Contract till March 31, 2027 (Existing vacancy)

Reports To: Manager, Healthcare Operations

This position is focused on the provision of counselling intervention to clients accessing Vision Loss Rehabilitation Services. The role requires the ability to demonstrate professional ethics and practices expected of a counsellor, while offering a service that is responsive, confidential, client centred, and focused on adjusting to vision loss.

The role is positioned to enable clients to work towards and receive service provision offered by Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada. Provides high quality, professional, and confidential adjustment to vision loss counselling services to individuals with vision loss.

• Conducts an initial assessment or case history collection to establish counselling services that would be helpful to the client in their adjustment to vision loss.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of counselling programs and interventions, and clients' progress in their adjustment to vision loss.
• Where the client is a youth, working with parents to determine their specific needs related to their family situation and support required for the youth and caregiver/parent
• Develops a structured and agreed set of counselling sessions that will meet the needs of the client followed by a formal re-assessment and review of these plans with the client at a predetermined time. The client base may include the parents of a youth
• Documents at the level of required professional standard of a provider of counselling and meets the organizational reporting requirements.
• Utilizes the most appropriate method of counselling to meet the clients' individual needs and assist with achieving their outcomes.
• Responds appropriately and in a timely manner to crises situations, including assessing and addressing high-risk behaviors (I.e. self-harm or suicide).
• Records all required data in data system in a timely manner, consistent with VLRC standards.
• Builds relationships and partnerships with external stakeholders, partners, including local groups/agencies.
• Refers to other counselling agencies when individual requires services that are outside of the scope of the Vision Loss Rehabilitation counselling mandate.

Utilizes established business rules, service standards and practices, and ensures policy and procedures are followed in a timely fashion.

· Participates in service evaluation and program planning processes, as needed, to maintain and improve service outcomes.

Works under the general direction of national/divisional guidelines and standards but has latitude in making decisions on routine tasks.

• Exercises judgment and tact when working with individuals and knows when to elevate issues to the next level such as referring unusual client needs to appropriate person for service planning.
• Takes initiative to keep abreast of new and changing community resources and VLRC policies & procedures.
• Participates in professional development activities and remains current with developments in a specialized field of study.
• Personal or professional experience relating to blindness and vision loss is considered an asset

Bilingualism is an asset

Demonstration of a client-centered approach with commitment to excellent customer service

Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing

Ability to work in a team environment and independently, with minimum supervision

Proficient in use of both standard office software and specialized client management technology

Bachelor’s degree in counselling, therapy or mental health.

Master’s degree in counselling is considered an asset.

Minimum three years of experience working with individuals with a disability in a rehabilitation setting

Lived experience or experience working with individuals with a disability in a rehabilitation or community setting.

Willingness to work flexible hours.

Provides services in a variety of locations, including the clients' homes, places of work, community locations, etc.

Occasional travel may be required.

Join a team that empowers Canadians with vision loss to live independently, and where your growth, well-being, and contributions matter. Comprehensive benefits for health, vision, dental, corporate discounts employee and family assistance program

Flexible work arrangements, generous paid time off, and work-life balance initiatives

Career development through training, mentorship, and advancement opportunities

Inclusive work culture with supportive teams, employee recognition, joy in work wellness program, and mental health supports

Inclusion, Accessibility & Accommodation

We welcome applications from members of groups that have been historically marginalized, including but not limited to Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, including those who are blind, partially sighted, or deafblind, women and 2SLGBTQ+. Direct lived experience is valued as an asset.