Community Service and Addictions Worker

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS GAINED

PROGRAM OUTLINE

Computer Fundamentals and Internet - Trains on basic computer skills, creating and managing documents and using internet.

Keyboarding Skills - Helps learn how to touch type for improved speed and accuracy on the keyboard.

Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint - Introduces to the skills, training and assessment of computing concepts and techniques to gain proficiency in word processing, spread sheet functions and impact of computing on the present day society.

Microsoft Outlook - Introduces to the basic and advanced features of outlook to manage the messages for efficient communication, maintenance of personal and business contacts, organize appointments, events and the To Do list.

English I - Introduces to college level English reading and writing skills to develop grammar, vocabulary and paragraph development.

Introduction to Psychology - Students explore numerous viewpoints, from Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory, up to current perspectives on psychology.  Students learn about pain management, sleep conditioning, and cognitive learning.  Lecture topics include problem-solving, memory function, motivation, emotions and intellectual ability, and how these factors develop and influence our personalities.

Sociology and the Canadian Family - Introduces students to sociological theories and development. Topics include culture, social structure, control and deviance, the global view of family, marriage, and divorce.  Factors like health, medicine, and the environment are discussed as students ponder the nature of global social structure and change.

Mental Health and Addiction - Initiates students to the principles of mental health assessment and care.  Students learn about anxiety, mood disorders like depression, and the nature of loss and grief.  Students explore personality disorders, physical problems with psychological sources, sexual disorders, dissociative disorders, and eating and sleeping disorders.  Students investigate chronic mental health illnesses like schizophrenia and other psychoses.

Lifespan in Canada - Introduces students to all developmental stages of the human life-span.  Students begin with the concepts of nature versus nurture and how each affect prenatal development.  Topics move from infancy to adolescence, through adulthood and into late adulthood.

Criminology - Introduces students to crime and criminology in Canada.  Students learn about the costs of crime: physical, psychological, economical, and social. Students are also introduced to populations which are most at-risk in Canadian society, as these individuals are those often in need of Community Service Workers.

Counselling and Case Management - Introduces students to the skills, process, and challenges involved with counselling clients.  Topics include developing and maintaining a counselling relationship, utilizing active listening and interviewing skills, and pursuing empathy when dealing with clients.

Written Communication and Reports - This course introduces students to the basics of report writing in a CSAW environment.  Reports include in-house reports like intake interview reports daily logs, case notes, progress notes, and incident reports.  Multi-audience reports and short proposals are also taught and practiced.

Government and Social Services: Introduces students to health of both the individual and the population of Canada.  They explore the various practitioners, practices, regulations, and laws regarding health care, both now, and as it trends toward the future.

Addictions Worker I: Introduces students to the world of addictions in Canadian society.  Topics include drugs as a social problem, toxicity, substance dependence, crime and violence as it pertains to drug use, and the pharmaceutical industry in Canada. Students also are introduced to various non-substance addictions, including Impulse Control Addictions (kleptomania, pyromania, gambling) and Behavioural Addictions (food, sexual, pornography, using computers or the internet, playing video games, working, exercising, and shopping).

Addictions Worker II - Continues the exploration into addictions, this time focusing on uppers and downers which are stimulants and pain killers, depressants, and inhalants.  Topics include alcohol and familiar drugs like tobacco and caffeine, as well as natural health products and over-the-counter drugs.

Addictions Worker III: Moves into restricted drugs including opioids, hallucinogens, cannabis, and performance-enhancing drugs.  Students learn about both the prevention and treatment of addictions, including organizations, like AA, which focus on rehabilitation.

Crisis Intervention Training - This course teaches students how to recognize the signs of escalating behaviour, how to respond appropriately during episodes of chaos, and how to protect yourself and others from risk of injury. The goal is to promote client care, welfare, safety, and security in crisis situations, so that everyone involved takes the right steps to stabilize the situation.

Professional Skills - Prepares students with every aspect of their transition into their new career by identifying and teaching essential business and interpersonal skills.  Students receive in class lectures, as well as a private one-on-one appointment with a Career Services specialist to perfect their resume package and interviewing skills.

Practicum: Provides the students with an opportunity to practice their skills in a real setting.  The placement will be in a community service role suitable to the student as determined by Career Services and host availability. Students complete field placements of 160 hours as a part of the program. CIMT College assigns students to field placements to gain hands-on experience before being awarded the diploma.

WHY THIS PROGRAM?

There are numerous job opportunities for Community Service Workers and Addiction Workers. Unfortunately, there are always vulnerable sectors in our society who are in need of government services and support. Fortunately, this means that a CSAW is always in demand, no matter what is going on with the economy.

This program includes extended training, with three courses, for Addictions, to provide a strong foundation for that much-needed area in society.

ASSOCIATED NATIONAL OCCUPATION CLASSIFICATION (NOC) CODES

After pursuing a diploma as a Community Service and Addictions Worker, you are eligible for positions falling under the following NOC Codes

NOC - 42201 - Social and community service workers administer and implement a variety of social assistance programs and community services, and assist clients to deal with personal and social problems. They are employed by social service and government agencies, mental health agencies, group homes, shelters, substance abuse centres, school boards, correctional facilities and other establishments.

Common Job Titles which you can apply for include -

• Aboriginal outreach worker, Addictions Worker, Child and Youth Worker, Community Development Worker, Community Service Worker, Crisis Intervention Worker, Developmental Service Worker, and Group Home Worker

JOB FUNCTIONS

Social and community service workers perform some or all of the following duties:

• Review client background information, interview clients to obtain case history and prepare intake reports
• Assess clients' relevant skill strengths and needs
• Assist clients to sort out options and develop plans of action while providing necessary support and assistance
• Assess and investigate eligibility for social benefits
• Refer clients to other social services or assist clients in locating and utilizing community resources including legal, medical and financial assistance, housing, employment, transportation, day care and other services
• Counsel clients living in group homes and half-way houses, supervise their activities and assist in pre-release and release planning
• Participate in the selection and admission of clients to appropriate programs
• Implement life skills workshops, substance abuse treatment programs, behaviour management programs, youth services programs and other community and social service programs under the supervision of social services or health care professionals
• Meet with clients to assess their progress, give support and discuss any difficulties or problems
• Assist in evaluating the effectiveness of treatment programs by tracking clients' behavioural changes and responses to interventions
• Advise and aid recipients of social assistance and pensions
• Provide crisis intervention and emergency shelter services
• Implement and organize the delivery of specific services within the community
• Maintain contact with other social service agencies and health care providers involved with clients to provide information and obtain feedback on clients' overall progress
• Co-ordinate the volunteer activities of human service agencies, health care facilities and arts and sports organizations
• May maintain program statistics for purposes of evaluation and research
• May supervise social service support workers and volunteers.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Completion of a college or university program in social work, child and youth care, psychology or other social science or health-related discipline is usually required.

Because you’re working with vulnerable people, seniors, children, and those with emotional or  mental disabilities or special needs, it is MANDATORY that each CSAW student have a CLEAR Criminal Record check, including Vulnerable Sector Screen.  Ask your Admissions Advisor for details.

EMPLOYMENT AREAS & PROSPECTS

There are numerous job opportunities for Community Service Workers and/or Addictions Workers in group homes, not-for profit organizations, government social assistance programs, group shelters, and other settings where community service or addictions services are provided.

For more information on employment prospects related to your field, please refer to the recent job listings column on this webpage for real time job openings.