Substance Use Clinician, Indigenous Health

Substance Use Clinician, Indigenous Health

The salary range for this position is CAD $42.27 - $52.81 / hour

Join Our Team as a Clinician for Community Mental Health & Substance Use! We’re looking for dedicated professionals to join our dynamic team as a Clinician for Community Mental Health.

First Nations, Inuit, Métis ancestry is regarded as directly relevant to the skills and knowledge for excellence in this position, as the position influences decisions that directly impact the Indigenous community.

What We're Looking For:

• Qualifications: Master's degree in Social Work, Clinical Counselling or other relevant health related discipline.
• Experience: At least two (2) years' recent, related experience in a community or hospital psychiatric setting, or in a rapid response crisis stabilization function, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience will also be considered.

Detailed Overview

The Substance Use Clinician, Indigenous Health supports care coordination and system navigation across substance use services, local service areas, and regional and provincial services, with an emphasis on reducing barriers to re-enter the system of care and facilitating timely treatment and rapid re-engagement of clients where appropriate and feasible.

Provides culturally appropriate client and family-centered care through a trauma-informed approach and evidence-informed practice to Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals and families with alcohol and drug addictions, and with or without mental disorders.

Responsibilities

• Performs initial screening of referrals of individuals with a focus on those who identify as Indigenous from other health care providers/agencies, family members, physicians and other sources to determine appropriate treatment based on client needs, urgency of request and best practices.
• Assesses client needs by gathering client information/history via phone interviews or other methods; seeking additional background information to perform initial assessment of client mental health status and risk to themselves or others and to determine priority of care, client eligibility, availability of resources, and service priorities.
• Provides first level intervention and support until formal treatment or further assessment can be conducted, such as short term brief interventions, follow-up, monitoring, and evaluating treatment outcomes.
• Provides short-term treatment/support and case management for complex situations including people in crisis through provision of services such as delivery of individual and group therapy to clients and families.
• Facilitates client utilization of appropriate community services and rehabilitative programs through methods such as considering the client’s motivation and their stage in the treatment process, researching available services, liaising with service and program providers, providing advice and consultation to colleagues, and/or referring to other community resources as required.
• Provides referrals to appropriate community treatment alternatives and services, including residential programs, family therapy, marital and separation counselling, alcohol and drug treatment, victim assistance, employee assistance programs, clubhouses, transition homes, vocational programs, and other agencies.
• Provides culturally appropriate education to clients with a focus on those who identify as Indigenous and their families, in accordance with theoretical models grounded in evidence-based practice.
• Provides short-term counseling to clients and families and provides information and guidance to other caregivers, health providers and the general public regarding the Mental Health & Substance Use Services, intake policies, procedures and processes, availability of both Community Health Services and Mental Health & Substance Use Services.
• 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.
• Carries out responsibilities in accordance with health and safety requirements.
• Develops linkages with other facilities and community resources, and advocates on behalf of the client and others to improve access, integration and coordination of mental health and substance use services.
• Maintains relevant data and statistics on information such as intakes, requests, referrals in/out, priority, sources and nature of requests, and provides input to Coordinator and Manager.
• Imparts knowledge and clinical expertise with other members of the team through collegial sharing of information.
• Promotes quality improvement through recommendations on policies, processes and procedures that streamline and provide for more efficient and effective client/family centred practices.
• Participates actively and collaboratively in team planning and team meetings, and participates in committees, working groups and/or corporate initiatives especially as it relates to improving the care of individuals who identify as Indigenous.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Education, Training and Experience: Master’s Degree in an applicable social or health sciences program such as Counselling Psychology or Social Work.
• Two (2) 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.
• Knowledge of Indigenous health approaches, protocol and cultural issues.
• Eligible for registration with relevant/applicable professional association.
• Valid B.C. Driver’s License and access to a personal vehicle for work-related purposes.

Skills And 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, pertinent regulations, policies and procedures, and other statutory duties.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Indigenous cultural practices and beliefs, including awareness of traditional healing practices.
• Comprehensive knowledge of psychiatric diagnosis and professional practice guidelines for the treatment of various disorders.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices and theories of clinical counselling/social work as applied to Indigenous populations.
• Knowledge of how Indigenous culture impacts the development of individuals and communities.
• Demonstrated ability in utilizing mental health and addictions standardized tools for client assessments.
• Demonstrated ability to develop consultative relationships with health professionals, counsellors, traditional healers and Elders.
• In-depth knowledge of community resources and strong collaborative skills in working with other community partners to inform the referral process.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing including with Indigenous partners and First Nations communities.
• 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, and organize and prioritize workload in a complex environment.
• Ability to effectively develop, coordinate and deliver in-services, education, presentations, psycho-educational and support groups and consultation to clients, families and healthcare professionals.
• Demonstrated therapeutic skills in the areas of case management, individual and group therapy with adults with various mental disorders including concurrent disorders.
• Ability to deliver culturally sensitive services to Indigenous populations.
• Proficiency in the use of personal computers, including related word processing, database management software applications, and use of technology to facilitate virtual health services.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.

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