Child, Youth & Family Counsellor

Detailed Overview

Working within a framework of cultural safety and humility, trauma informed practice, and using best practices and research evidence, the Child, Youth, and Family Counsellor provides assessment, planning, treatment interventions and supports. Practices and approaches are considerate of each child or youth’s family and community context. The Child, Youth, and Family Counsellor supports care coordination across child, youth and family services, local service areas, and regional and provincial services. Emphasis is on reducing barriers and facilitating timely access to clinical and non-clinical service where appropriate and feasible through collaborative, respectful relationships with community professionals. Services may be provided on an outreach basis when required to assess and/or engage with clients within their own environment and community. The Child, Youth, and Family Counsellor may be assigned as the "most responsible clinician" to specific clients dependent on the client's primary needs. Responsibilities Performs initial screening of referrals for children, youth and families within the community. Referrals may be received from other health care providers, community partners, family members and caregivers of children/youth with mental health disorders and addictions issues, physicians, and other sources to determine appropriate support based on client needs, urgency of request and best practices. Provides direct clinical services for mental health and substance use such as intake, assessment, treatment, suicide risk assessments and crisis intervention; case management, consultation/liaison with community agencies, schools, hospitals, and other programs. Provides first level intervention and support such as short-term brief interventions, follow-up, monitoring, and evaluating treatment outcomes. Provides referrals to external agencies, internal services and other relevant resources. Provides a consultative service to and knowledge exchange with other staff within Mental Health & Substance Use Services, as well as to external organizations such as Child and Youth Mental Health (MCFD), community agencies, and other service providers who provide services to children, youth and families. Develops and/or delivers information sessions through determining relevant content and required handouts, conducts literature searches, plans, and coordinates seminars that increase awareness in the development of culturally appropriate assessments, planning and treatment for children, youth and their families. Participates in program development with consideration to child, youth and family needs. Plans, initiates, implements, and facilitates therapeutic and recreational group programming in a manner that is trauma informed and fosters healing, and continued growth and development. Maintains client records by recording information such as client assessments, charting client information via PARIS and/or other clinical information systems, preparing progress notes and reports in accordance with established standards, policies, and procedures to meet regulatory requirements, documenting for future reference and ensuring that access to and disclosure of information and records are in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act. Maintains relevant data and statistics on information such as intakes, requests, referrals in/out, priority, sources, and nature of requests, and provides input to ICY Program Lead or Manager. Participates actively and collaboratively in ICY team planning, team meetings, committees, and/or corporate initiatives through discussions, presenting relevant material, acting as an advocate for the goals and objectives of the program, and promoting optimal support for clients, families, and caregivers. Promotes quality improvement through recommendations on policies, processes and procedures that streamline and provide for more efficient and effective client/family centred practices; develops and evaluates clinical protocols, identifies service needs, and provides input and recommendations to the ICY Program Lead and Manager. Maintains current knowledge of relevant mental health and substance disorders practice through methods such as reviewing literature and research, consulting with clinical and community experts within the field, evaluating clinical practice and participating in professional development. Provides orientation, guidance and collegial information or demonstration of equipment or work methods and processes to others including peers, new staff and students. Provides instruction and/or supervision to students; evaluates and provides feedback on student progress. Provides work direction to support staff and volunteers. Participates in the planning and implementation of special events and in the organization of entertainment for patients and families. Performs other related duties as assigned. Qualifications Education, Training & Experience Master’s Degree in an applicable social or health sciences program such as Counselling Psychology or Social Work. Eligible for registration or membership with applicable professional association or regulatory body. Two years' recent related experience working with clients and families with, or affected by, mental illness and substance use disorders, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Valid B.C. Driver’s License and access to a personal vehicle for work-related purposes. Skills & Abilities Demonstrated knowledge of harm reduction, trauma-informed, recovery-oriented approach; concurrent disorders; addictions and addictions counselling. Demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of relevant Acts such as Mental Health Act, Freedom of Information Act, Child, Family and Community Service Act, pertinent regulations, policies and procedures, and other statutory duties. Knowledge of the principles, practices and theories of clinical counselling. Demonstrated ability to develop consultative relationships with health professionals & counsellors. In-depth knowledge of community resources and strong collaborative skills in working with other community partners to inform the referral process. Comprehensive knowledge of psychiatric diagnosis and professional practice guidelines for the treatment of various disorders. Demonstrated ability in utilizing mental health and addictions standardized tools for client assessments. Demonstrated therapeutic skills in the areas of case management, individual and group therapy with youth with various mental health disorders including concurrent disorders. Comprehensive knowledge of the broad range of issues pertaining to adolescent mental health problems. Comprehensive knowledge of the developmental stages of the individual including related family life cycle and psychosocial issues. Ability to work effectively with individuals, groups, and interdisciplinary professionals through understanding the frameworks of other disciplines. Demonstrated ability to assess, plan, organize, implement, evaluate and problem-solve, organize and prioritize workload in a complex environment. Ability to effectively develop, coordinate and deliver in-services, training, presentations, psycho-educational and support groups and consultation to clients, families, and healthcare professionals. Proficiency in the use of personal computers, including related word processing and database management software applications. Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position. About Fraser Health Fraser Health is the heart of health care for over two million people in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley in British Columbia, Canada, on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux Nations and is home to 32 First Nations within the Fraser Salish region. People - those we care for and those who care for them - are at the heart of everything we do. Our hospital and community-based services are delivered by a team of 48,+ staff, medical staff and volunteers. We are committed to planetary health and value diversity in the work force. We strive to maintain an environment of respect, caring and trust. Fraser Health’s hiring practices aspire to ensure all individuals are treated in an inclusive, equitable and culturally safe manner. Together, we are the heart of health care. Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Indeed | Glassdoor IMPORTANT: Recruitment scam warning Please be on alert for recruitment scams. 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