Mental Health and Addictions Support Worker - BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services - Coquitlam, BC

Mental Health and Addictions Support Worker BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services

Coquitlam, BC

What you’ll do

Monitor clients in accordance with treatment objectives; observe behaviors and symptoms and document observations in accordance with standard procedures.

Recognize anticipated / unanticipated client responses to the recovery process; provide verbal reports on changes in client's appearance, behavior, and / or health.

• As required, participate in the admission, case planning, and discharge process for clients by methods such as conducting interview with client and family to identify and assessing client’s needs;
• gathering appropriate history, and collecting relevant records and documentation; attending and participating in client case meetings;

developing an individual care plan by collaborating with interdisciplinary team.

Establish rapport with clients based on respect; provide emotional support and supportive counseling, assists with problem solving day to day matters / issues of living, managing behaviors and self care / personal hygiene, etc.

Recommend / discuss changes to treatment goals with Counsellors.

Assist clients with daily living activities including time management, organization and interpersonal communication. Escort clients to medical, dental and social appointments and acts as a role model to facilitate appropriate social behaviors.

Participate in activities to support skill development and addictions recovery.

Participate in case planning; interview clients to identify problems / needs, assist with collecting relevant records, document client’s progress.

Coordinate services with medical professionals and use of community services / resources; act as an advocate for clients, provide information on community services.

What you bring

Qualifications :

• Diploma from a recognized Social Services Support Worker educational program
• Two (2) years’ recent, related experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Valid driver's license. Local area travel requires the use of a personal vehicle.

Skills and Knowledge :

• Knowledge of the principles of recovery in mental illness.
• Knowledge of community, social and health resources.
• Knowledge of substance misuse and of problems encountered by chemically dependant individuals; basic understanding of behavior management.
• Knowledge of mental health issues and treatment.
• Ability to demonstrate and assist client with development of health life skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain rapport with clients.
• Ability to observe and recognize changes in clients.
• Commitment to develop knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents including Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan : A First Nations Case Study and how they intersect across the health care system.
• Commitment to upholding the shared responsibility of creating lasting and meaningful reconciliation in Canada as per TRC (2015) and BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019).
• As a strong asset for consideration, we are looking for our successful candidate to have : Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (The Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.).

What we bring

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future.

That’s why we’re focused on your care too offering health, wellness, development programs to support you at work and at home.

• Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
• Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles.
• Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
• Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
• PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
• Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.

As per the current Public Health Order, full vaccination against COVID-19 is a condition of employment with PHSA as of October 26, 2021.

What we do

BCMHSUS) cares for people with complex mental health and substance use challenges.

BCMHSUS is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).

The Provincial Health Services Authority () plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province.

Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include : Respect people Be compassionate Dare to innovate Cultivate partnerships Serve with purpose.

Learn more about PHSA and our programs :

PHSA and BCMHSUS are committed to employment equity, encouraging all qualified individuals to apply. We recognize that our ability to provide the best care for our diverse patient populations relies on a rich diversity of skills, knowledge, background and experience, and value a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment.

PHSA is committed to equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems.

PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and / or persistently marginalized groups identified under the Human Rights Code.

One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level.

We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and / or contact the Sanya'kula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at .

Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and marginalization faced by Indigenous peoples.

These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and self-determination of Indigenous communities.

PHSA must uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents such as including Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan : A First Nations Case Study.

ATTN : PHSA Employees

To be considered as a PHSA employee (internal applicant) for this position, you must apply online via your internal profile at

Please note the internal job posting will no longer be accessible after the expiry date of June 24, 2024 . If the internal job posting has expired, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk and advise that you would like to be considered as a late internal applicant for this position.

Please do not apply for the external job posting.

If you have not registered your internal profile, a password is required to log in for the first time. To obtain your password, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk at 604-875-7264 or 1-855-875-7264 .

Please note regular business hours are Monday Friday (excluding stats), 8 : 30am to 4 : 30pm. For inquiries outside of regular business hours, please email the Internal Jobs Help Desk at and a Help Desk Representative will contact you the next business day.