Vocational Rehabilitation Counsellor, Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT), BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services – Surrey, BC

Vocational Rehabilitation Counsellor

BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services

Surrey, BC

Join our multi-disciplinary team of passionate and committed professionals working to support our clients who experience mental health and / or substance use challenges and who have involvement with the criminal justice system to integrate into the community with support.

This outreach based Vocational Rehabilitation Counsellor position will support the Forensic Assertive Community Treatment Team (FACT).

FACT is a newly established service delivery model intended for people with enhanced care needs who are involved in the criminal justice system.

The FACT team is a multi-disciplinary healthcare team of professionals who work together to provide holistic and comprehensive services to best serve client needs.

This team will be based in Surrey and support specific clients living in the community.

This will be a rotating position. The hours will rotate from 0830 hrs 1630 hrs and 1000 1800hrs on weekdays (Monday to Friday).

On the weekends and statutory holidays, the position will rotate from 1000hrs 1800hrs.

This role is ideally suited to a person who enjoys supporting clients to achieve success with reintegration in their community, working in a team environment, solving problems, and working collaboratively with partners.

This person must be committed to upholding the shared responsibility of creating lasting and meaningful reconciliation in Canada as per TRC (2015) and DRIPA (2019).

What you’ll do

Assesses and evaluates clients’ vocational rehabilitation needs on an ongoing basis, collaborates with the Treatment Team, Senior Forensic Community Nurse, and the client to determine interests, skills and abilities.

Encourages clients’ involvement in plan development and sets appropriate vocational rehabilitation goals in accordance with clients’ preferences, needs and abilities.

Receives referrals and develops individual vocational rehabilitation plans to integrate vocational goals into the mental health treatment plan through methods such as engaging clients in discussion to determine individual needs and potential career paths, abilities and interests and building a trusting and respectful relationship;

makes recommendations for placement considering clients’ expressed preferences / interests and suitability. Coordinates pre-vocational training for clients so that they are able to take full advantage of available programs.

Liaises with the Occupational Therapist, collaborates with members of the interdisciplinary team and community professionals.

Advocates on behalf of the client to assist them in accomplishing a goal of competitive employment or other viable vocational pursuits in an integrated community setting.

• Monitors vocational training placements, tracks progress, evaluates programs, and participates in over-all case planning for clients by methods such as visiting work / program areas on a regular basis and, in collaboration with the program staff, assessing client progress, writing progress notes and reports;
• informs the treatment team of progress, any concerns, changes recommended regarding the clients’ development in the program;

and manages the client contingency program.

Provides ongoing support services to clients related to employment through methods such as providing vocational rehabilitation counselling to clients on an individual basis by telephone or at the job site, facilitating group meetings and liaising with the Occupational Therapist and other members of the interdisciplinary care team.

Provides on-site job coaching to ensure orientation and on-going training for clients as required.

What you bring

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in an applicable social or health sciences program, plus two (2) years' recent related experience providing vocational rehabilitation counselling and job marketing / development to individuals with mental illness, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Eligibility for certification as a rehabilitation professional with a recognized association. Valid Driver's License and access to personal vehicle for business use.

Skills and Knowledge

• Basic counselling skills in working with clients with mental illness.
• Demonstrated knowledge of psychosocial rehabilitation principles.
• Demonstrated knowledge of mental illnesses.
• Ability to assess, plan, organize, implement, evaluate and problem-solve.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Ability to work effectively with others, including working effectively in a multicultural environment, independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team with an understanding of the frameworks of other disciplines.
• Awareness of and commitment to learning and understanding the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight Report (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), and other related reports.
• 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 impacting indigenous communities and familiarity with Indigenous Cultural Safety and anti-racism and accompanying reports (BC DRIPA, TRC, 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.

Wage : hour.

Location : 10022 King George Boulevard, Surrey, V3T 2W4

Applications will be accepted until position is filled.

Hours of Work : Rotating, 0830-1630&1000-1800 M-F. Weekends and stats, rotate from 1000-1800

Requisition #146768

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.

Reconciliation is an ongoing process and a shared responsibility for all of us. The BC Governments’ unanimous passage of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act was a significant step forward in this journey one that all health authorities are expected to support as we work in cooperation with Indigenous Peoples to establish a clear and sustainable path to lasting reconciliation.

True reconciliation will take time and ongoing commitment to work with Indigenous Peoples as they move toward self-determination.

Guiding these efforts Crown agencies must remain focused on creating opportunities that implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Mandate.