Psychologist

Overview

As the clinical psychologist, you will provide trauma-focused assessments and interventions for individuals and families from a refugee background, who are located in British Columbia. This role also requires preparation of clinical reports for refugee claim processes and other legal matters.

The psychologist works within the multidisciplinary VAST clinical team (Clinical Counsellors, Expressive Arts Therapists, Psychiatrist, Occupational Therapists), as well as with the Executive Director, Intake Coordinator and Social Worker.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Clinical Services and Community Development: Provides direct high quality, culturally and linguistically responsive, trauma informed clinical services and interventions to meet the needs of individuals and families from a refugee background in British Columbia. This includes screening, assessment, trauma-informed individual therapy, and other interventions; clinical services may take place via telehealth. The focus is to reduce trauma-related symptoms and increase psychosocial functioning.
• Conduct assessments using clinical interviews and standardized measurements to assess current symptomatology, psychosocial functioning and diagnosis as appropriate; facilitate treatment planning and outcome monitoring.
• Establish and maintain a professional and therapeutic relationship within the standards of client confidentiality and current research.
• Write assessment reports, progress notes and psychological reports to support asylum claims, and provide psycho-legal assessments and letters to lawyers for the refugee claim process.
• Participate in case allocation meetings with the Intake Team Leader and other relevant VAST staff; assist in efficient management and administration of the waiting list.
• Provide casework, referral and/or group work services to improve the health of torture and trauma survivors awaiting treatment; introduce wait list clients to group programs where appropriate.
• Undertake regular case review and follow-up with relevant staff from VAST and/or other agencies.
• Participate in case consultations and group and individual clinical supervision sessions.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of all client contact within College of Psychologists of British Columbia and VAST guidelines.
• Provide advocacy, crisis intervention, and social support services and referrals as needed.
• Liaison and Partnerships: Develop and maintain relationships and referral pathways between VAST and stakeholder partners who serve newly arrived humanitarian entrants; maintain partnerships with services across BC relevant to refugees.
• Represent VAST at community consultations for health and settlement sectors.
• Reporting: Provide statistical and narrative information on the clinical program for evaluation, funding applications and reports; participate in required reports.
• Administration and Training: Gain thorough knowledge of refugee communities and services; assist in evaluating service effectiveness; identify gaps and develop relevant materials and new services in consultation with staff; contribute to training materials and facilitate trainings as required; assist other health and welfare organisations with service directions for torture and trauma survivors.
• Undertake training about the effects of torture and trauma and participate in relevant professional development programs; participate in community development, research and/or documentation projects as required.
• General Personnel: Participate in VAST Performance Management programs and annual Work Plan; attend monthly team meetings and other relevant meetings; contribute to quality improvement initiatives; seek senior advice as required; uphold the Code of Conduct, maintain confidentiality, and strive to improve skills and knowledge; project a professional image at all times; undertake any other duties within the area of work.

Qualifications

Essential

• Master’s degree or higher in Psychology and professional membership with the College of Psychologists of British Columbia or other equivalent provincial accreditation body.
• Minimum of 5 years experience as a registered psychologist in a cross-cultural setting, preferably with forced migrants or refugees.
• Extensive clinical experience with refugees and/or refugee claimants; experience with intake, assessments, treatment planning, and case management.
• Thorough knowledge of evidence-based and culturally appropriate approaches to trauma and recovery.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct assessments and develop treatment plans using standardized measurement tools.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare clinical reports for refugee claim processes and other legal matters.
• Knowledge and understanding of the social and psychological dimensions of forced migration and resettlement, and of the refugee claimant experience.
• Understanding of Canadian migration pathways and refugee protection mechanisms, and the United Nations Convention Against Torture.
• Demonstrated ability to intervene in crisis situations using professional judgment and ethical practice.

Desirable

• Demonstrated experience working with interpreters.
• Ability to speak multiple languages is an asset.

For any of the above that the candidate still needs to possess as skills and experience, they are expected to pursue pathways to inform and update.

Seniority level

• Entry level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Health Care Provider

Industries

• Civic and Social Organizations