The MHASW Program: Certification Options after Graduation

Whether you are hearing about our Mental Health and Addictions Support Worker (MHASW) certificate program for the first time or are a current student, you may be wondering about your career options after graduation. This article will provide all the necessary information on certification options and their exact requirements.

The program is designed to provide entry-level competencies for employment in the field of mental health and addiction. It includes a practicum for real-world application, boosting your career readiness. The MHASW program focuses on client treatment and rehabilitation and allows you to explore:

• A broad range of perspectives explaining mental illness and addictions.
• The prevalence and distribution of mental illness and substance abuse in Canada.
• Risk factors of mental health issues and tips to cope and promote mental health.
• Characteristics of mental health disorders, treatment options, and factors influencing treatments.
• Ways to reduce risks and harm associated with mental health and addictions.
• Key processes including treatment planning, counselling case management, crisis intervention, referral, consultations with other professionals, reports and record keeping.

One key factor that makes Ashton’s MHASW program stand out is its accreditation by the Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation (CACCF). The CACCF is a not-for-profit organization registered in Ontario. It has been responsible for the promotion and certification of addiction-specific counsellors in Canada for the last 36 years. Following best practices, the CACCF is internationally recognized as the gold standard provider in addiction credentialing. Since protecting the public is the organization’s primary goal, its certifications and professional conduct review process provide public protection for counsellors, employers, regulatory agencies, clients, and their families.

Graduates of Ashton College’s MHASW certificate program satisfy the education requirements to become a Canadian Certified Addiction Counsellor (CCAC) or International Certified Alcohol and Drug Counsellor (ICADC).

Education

Certification requirements for both designations consist of 270 hours of education related to the 12 core functions. For programs that are not pre-approved, all education must be documented by providing the CACCF with a transcript and course outlines.

Certification Requirements

The CACC and ICADC certifications require specific amounts of work experience, education, supervised clinical training, application procedures, and a certification exam. All of these aspects revolve around the 12 core functions for the two certifications and aim to acquire and hone the necessary skills and experience to provide the best possible care to clients as a CACC or ICADC.

The 12 Core Functions

1. Client screening
2. Client intake
3. Client orientation
4. Treatment planning
5. Client assessment
6. Counselling
7. Case management
8. Crisis intervention
9. Client education
10. Referral
11. Reports and record-keeping
12. Consultations with other professionals

Work Experience

CCAC candidates must gather two years or 4000 hours of full-time counselling experience within the last five years. During this time, they must work directly and regularly with clients who have received a primary diagnosis of substance abuse. Said work experience needs to be supervised, paid, and documented to prove that the candidate has reached the necessary skill and experience level in the field. ICADC candidates must fulfill the same requirements and must have gained an equivalent of three years of full-time work experience (6000 hours) within the past five years.

Supervised Clinical Training

The CCAC and ICADC certification programs require candidates to accumulate at least 300 hours of supervised clinical training. This training must be part of their outlined clinical work experience and can be completed under multiple supervisors or agencies. To assess and enhance candidates' knowledge and skills in each of the 12 core functions, the programs mandate dedicating at least ten hours to each function.

It is crucial to document all clinical training hours, including the location, supervisor, topics covered, and duration of each session.

Other Requirements

CCAC candidates must submit an application package containing an outline of their work experience, education, and supervised clinical training, a signed Canon of Ethics, and the applicable administrative fee. Applicants also must pass a written examination, which is taken online at a proctored location and contains 100 multiple-choice questions. The best way to prepare is by reviewing the CCAC Study Guide, which is available for purchase. In addition to submitting an application package, ICADC candidates must be active CACCF members to qualify for certification. They also need to pass an exam approved by the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium IC&RC.

Recertification

Submitting annual proof of 20 CACCF-approved continuing education hours will allow recertification for both designations.

For more details on Ashton’s Mental Health and Addictions Support Worker certificate, visit the following link: https://www.ashtoncollege.ca/programs/mental-health-and-addictions-support-worker-certificate/