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Workforce Development

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People who work in the substance use and addictions field face unique challenges. They are expected to provide timely and effective services in a demanding and fast-changing environment. Understanding the challenges that healthcare workers face is essential to supporting them. For these reasons, CCSA conducts research and develops materials to support professional development in the field.

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What Is Workforce Development?

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Workforce development is about helping staff to learn and improve their skills. It helps them gain knowledge and understanding to do their jobs well and continually improve the services they deliver. Workforce development is based on acquiring workforce competencies. Behavioural competencies help identify attitudes and behaviours that are appropriate for each role. Technical competencies are used to identify and develop the knowledge and skills needed to do the job.

Workers in the substance use and addictions field need support and resources to help them learn and grow in their professional roles. Workforce competencies provide a framework for assessing their current skill set and identifying what their ongoing learning needs are.

We are in the process of updating our resources to reflect changes in language and practice.

Featured Resource

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Accountability for Safe, Quality Care in Bed-Based Addiction Treatment Summary Report

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Summarizes the findings from the Accountability for Safe, Quality Care in Bed-Based Addiction Treatment report, which discusses voluntary and regulatory approaches to advancing an accountable, accessible and inclusive continuum of safe, quality substance use and addiction services and supports across Canada. CCSA created this report in response to requests from policy makers for strategies to improve accountability for community bed-based (also called residential) settings. The report offers recommendations for jurisdictions and pan-Canadian collaboration. 

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Research

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The substance use health and addiction workforce plays a vital role in caring for individuals with substance use concerns and disorders. Research helps identify workforce challenges and support strategies, including insights on physician payment for patient care.

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Learning Opportunities

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Accreditation evaluates whether an organization meets quality standards through self-assessment and peer review, ensuring best practices are maintained. Certification helps substance use health professionals develop skills and meet high service standards through continuing education, ethics codes and regular reviews.

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