Rehabilitation Assistant, Minimum and Medium Security Units, Forensic Psychiatric Services - BC

Rehabilitation Assistant, Minimum and Medium Security Units, Forensic Psychiatric Services

BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services

Coquitlam, BC

What is the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital?

The Forensic Psychiatric Hospital (FPH) is a 190-bed secure facility located in Coquitlam, on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded core territory of the kwikwəƛ̓əm First Nation (Kwikwetlem). We treat people who have been found not criminally responsible for a crime or unfit to stand trial due to a mental health disorder. We deliver services to patients using the “Clinical Program Model,” which aims to deliver high-quality care to meet the specific needs of patients and is currently the best practice in health care.

What you’ll do

• Carry out components of established psychosocial rehabilitative programs to address the assessed needs of patients by implementing, actively participating in and evaluating open and closed therapeutic programs. Implement individual program plans and corresponding psychosocial rehabilitation intervention strategies including: a wide variety of group-based rehabilitation and/or vocational rehab programs such as cooking programs for OT ( for maximum ,medium, minimum security patients); determining the destination and taking patients on small or large group staff supported community outings; implementing planned patient activities/programs and/or programs in Fir Hall such as the Retail Training/Canteen program; setting up gym equipment and instructing patients in its use for Recreation Therapy programs; preparing woodworking supplies and providing direction to patients in the completion of woodwork projects; conducting pre and post safety checks in the woodworking shop and vocational rehab programs.
• Work collaboratively with the inter-professional team to provide recommendations and participate in the development of individualized rehabilitative treatment plans for patients by identifying patient strengths, limitations and functional level for program involvement. Work with team members in the regular evaluation of assigned programs with regard to patients’ assessed needs and progress, and under the guidance of an assigned clinical team member, modifies or changes programs as indicated, recommending suitability for programs and determining when it is safe and appropriate to integrate community rehabilitation resources and opportunities into individual patient treatment programs.
• Complete rehabilitation assessments within designated scope of practice and documents patient progress by regularly completing patient progress notes and noting concerns in individual patient’s charts. Work with team members to adjust the treatment plan to reflect the patient’s progress by evaluating on a frequent basis patient progress in relation to Individual Program Plan goals to ensure priority needs are met. Prepare individual discharge reports to meet department/organization documentation standards at the conclusion of each closed program by summarizing information focusing on patients’ community living skills and independence levels and recommending appropriate community supports where available. Maintain outcome and workload measurement statistics.
• Work collaboratively with other Rehabilitation colleagues and Treatment Team members to analyze the needs of target patient populations as a basis for new program development, standards and evaluation strategies by reviewing relevant literature and recommending interventions that will support the achievement of desired treatment outcomes. Participate in the development of specific program curricula to address the functional level of the target population including researching, obtaining, and creating appropriate educational, testing, and other program materials to meet established program goals and objectives and evaluation processes.
• Maintain work area and equipment by ensuring equipment and supplies, such as tools, materials and chemicals used in the program are stored appropriately and accounted for, arranging repairs as required, and assuming the responsibility for the purchase of supplies to support programs as required.

What you bring

Qualifications

• Completion of a Rehabilitation Assistant Program or an equivalent combination of recent, related education and training plus 2 years clinical experience.
• Food Safe Certificate
• Valid Class 4 BC Driver's License.
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism and systemic racism on Indigenous Peoples within social and health contexts. This includes understanding how these factors contribute to current health disparities and barriers to care. Show a clear commitment to identifying, challenging, and eradicating Indigenous-specific racism and all forms of discrimination impacting equity-deserving groups within healthcare settings. This involves recognizing personal biases, institutional barriers, engaging in anti-racism education and training and advocating for systemic change.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments within BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services contexts 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, BC Human Rights Code, Anti-racism Data Act and how they intersect across the health care system.

Core Competencies

• Brings an understanding of the Indigenous specific racism and the broader systemic racism that exists in the colonial health care structure, and has demonstrated leadership in breaking down barriers and ensuring an environment of belonging. Embed Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility into all aspects of work. This means creating an environment where Indigenous patients feel respected, valued, and understood. Foster trust through respectful communication, active listening, and honoring equity-deserving people's perspectives on health and wellness. Commit to ongoing education and training on Indigenous health issues, cultural safety, and DEI principles. Participate in workshops, cultural immersion experiences, and continuous professional development to stay informed and responsive to equity-deserving groups. Provide patient-centred care that respects Indigenous ways of knowing and healing, respects BIPOC experiences and world views ensuring that care plans are culturally relevant and holistic.
• 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.).

Skills & Knowledge

• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Ability to deal with others effectively
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position
• Ability to organize the work
• Ability to teach
• Ability to operate related equipment
• Demonstrates a commitment to beginning and continuing their personal learning journey related to Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as addressing racism more broadly. Shows willingness to articulate and share their learning experiences to contribute to a culture of motivation and inspiration among peers.
• Demonstrates foundational knowledge of the social, economic, and political realities of settler-colonialism and its impacts on Indigenous peoples and equity-deserving groups within social and health contexts. Understands the impact of social determinants of health-on-health outcomes. Shows a commitment to learning about and upholding legislative obligations and provincial commitments outlined in foundational documents such as the 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, Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, the BC Human Rights Code, Anti-Racism Data Act, and the Distinctions Based Approach.

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.

2% of the straight-time hourly rate of pay for employees working in Minimum and Medium security units and community settings; 4% of the straight-time hourly rate of pay for employees working in Maximum and Multi-level security units.
Location: 70 Colony Farm Rd, Coquitlam, BC V3K 5Z1
Hours of Work: Monday – Friday; 0800-1600
Requisition # 182774E

** Please note: Support for nomination with the BC Provincial Nominee Program is not a guarantee, entitlement or an employee benefit after receiving a full time job offer with PHSA**

What we do

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

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

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.

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.

Learn more about PHSA and our programs:

PHSA is committed to anti-racism and 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 excluded groups identified under the Human Rights Code.

One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes ongoing commitments to Indigenous recruitment and employee experience as well as dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya’k̓ula 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 exclusion faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and title of BC First Nations and self-determination of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. PHSA is mandated to uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents including the 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.