Woodview Mental Health and Autism Services·Hamilton, Ontario
The Autism Counsellor provides direct support to adults with autism and complex needs across residential, community, and hospital settings. Responsibilities include implementing behaviour support plans, assisting with daily living activities, and maintaining accurate documentation.
What We Do Woodview Mental Health & Autism Services offers a broad spectrum of services for children, youth, adults and their families facing mental health, autism, and developmental challenges.
We work in direct partnership with children, youth, adults, and their families, as well as with schools and social service agencies, to ensure families receive the support they need—when and where they need it. “We are committed to providing individualized, client-centred services and supports based on our values of Accountability, Collaboration, Compassion, Excellence, Inclusion, Innovation —and our commitment to staff.” Our mission is to provide inclusive and person-centered mental health, autism, and developmental services and supports in partnership with children, youth, adults, and families.
Employees Receive Meaningful work that inspires hope and strengthens lives A positive, supportive culture with flexibility where possible A commitment to workplace wellness, ongoing training, and professional development opportunities A generous vacation entitlement (entry-level full-time employees can expect to receive 2- 3 weeks paid vacation to start) A commitment to wellness in the workplace as well as ongoing professional development and training opportunities.
The Role The Autism Counsellor provides direct support to adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder, intellectual disabilities, complex support needs, and/or medical diagnoses.
The position supports individuals in adult residential services, Community Participation group programs, community settings, and hospital environments, promoting independence, skill development, safety, and quality of life.
The Counsellor uses evidence-based practices, including ABA, person-centred approaches, trauma-informed care, and positive behavioural supports.
Responsibilities may include supporting communication, social skills, daily living, personal care, community safety, recreation, pre-employment skills, and independence.
The role may involve direct personal care, personal hygiene support, lifts and transfers, transportation of clients using accessible vehicles, and supporting clients with complex physical, behavioural, and/or medical needs.
The Counsellor is expected to maintain the dignity, privacy, safety, and choice of each individual while providing these supports.
Services may be delivered individually, in groups, within residential settings, in the community, or within hospital environments depending on the needs of the clients.
Key Responsibilities (may include but are not limited to): Client service & support: Provide respectful, person-centred support that promotes dignity, choice, independence, inclusion, and self-determination.
Support adults in residential programs, Community Participation group programming, community settings, and hospital environments, including individuals with complex behavioural, physical, and/or medical needs.
Implement Behaviour Support Plans, individualized strategies, and established medical, behavioural, and safety protocols.
Provide individual and group instruction in communication, social, recreational, community, and daily living skills.
Support residential routines including meal preparation, household responsibilities, recreation, community participation, and activities of daily living.
Participate in Community Participation programming, including community outings, recreation, volunteer opportunities, and life skills activities.
Support clients in hospital settings and collaborate with hospital staff, healthcare professionals, families, residential teams, and community partners.
Provide personal care and hygiene support, including toileting, bathing, dressing, grooming, feeding, and other daily living needs.
Safely perform or assist with lifts, transfers, repositioning, mobility support, and adaptive equipment in accordance with approved procedures and individualized plans.
Safely operate agency vehicles, including accessible vehicles, and transport clients who use mobility devices.
Assist clients with entering/exiting accessible vehicles, securing mobility devices, and following transportation safety procedures.
Documentation & records Complete required documentation, including progress notes, behavioural data, incident reports, and other program records.
Team collaboration: Participate in program planning, team meetings, training, supervision, case planning, and ongoing program evaluatione Professional practice and accountability Maintain professional relationships and boundaries while advocating for client rights, privacy, dignity, and choice.
Follow all agency policies, procedures, health and safety requirements, and Ministry directives.
Skills & Qualifications Valid G driver's licence and ability to safely operate agency and accessible vehicles is required.
Diploma or degree in Autism Spectrum Disorders, Behavioural Sciences, Psychology, Human Services, CYW, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience with adults with autism and/or intellectual disabilities is preferred.
Experience supporting individuals with complex behavioural, physical, developmental, and/or medical needs is an asset.
Experience with personal care, hygiene, lifts, transfers, mobility support, adult residential services, Community Participation programs, and/or hospital environments is an asset.
Strong communication, organization, documentation, problem-solving, judgment, flexibility, and teamwork skills.
Ability to remain calm and professional during behavioural escalation or distress and implement approved behavioural strategies.
First Aid/CPR, NVCI, WHMIS, and safe lifting/transfer training are assets.
Vulnerable Sector Screening required.
Working Conditions The position requires the physical ability to safely provide personal care, hygiene support, lifts, transfers, repositioning, mobility assistance, and active client support. The Counsellor must be comfortable supporting individuals who may experience behavioural distress, aggression, self-injury, or complex medical/physical needs, including in hospital settings. Travel is required, including operating accessible vehicles and transporting clients with mobility needs. The position involves working across residential, Community Participation, community, agency, and hospital settings. Schedule is Thursday - Monday, requires flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and overnight shifts. We thank all candidates but only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Woodview welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, including individuals within employment equity categories of women, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities and aboriginal persons, individuals of diverse gender and sexual orientation and all groups protected by the Human Rights Code. Woodview is committed to employment equity and diversity and a positive and supportive environment. As part of our recruitment process, we may use automated or AI-supported tools to assist with tasks such as application sorting, scheduling, and identifying relevant experience. Hiring decisions are made by people, and we regularly review our processes to support fairness and reduce bias.
Candidates must hold a diploma or degree in a relevant field such as Behavioural Sciences, Psychology, or Human Services. A valid G driver's licence and the ability to operate accessible vehicles are required.
Market context
In Ontario, behavioral-health roles are typically driven by ongoing need in community, outpatient, and support settings serving people with mental health or substance use challenges. These positions can be competitive because employers often look for experience with diverse populations plus a high school diploma or GED, with a bachelor’s in social work or a related field preferred. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, then tailor your application to show relevant client-facing experience and readiness to work with varied needs.