Counsellor, Patient Community - Punjabi Fluent – BC Cancer Provincial

Counsellor, Patient Community - Punjabi Fluent 

BC Cancer

Provincial, BC 

Reporting to the Clinical Coordinator, Patient and Family Counselling with a functional reporting relationship to the Provincial Practice Leader, Patient and Family Counselling and Medical Director, Psychiatry, the Counsellor, Patient Community provides psychosocial services to support cancer patients and their families and/or caregivers in the designated patient community using the related specified languages across the province, including counselling patients and families, providing clinical counselling, developing and maintaining support groups, and liaising and assisting community groups regarding the needs of the designated patient community. Provides input and participates in the development of multicultural programs, provides feedback developing and planning educational activities for patients, and provides information at professional conferences.

This position is a part of Provincial Programs. This role involves remote work, however the individual must be within the vicinity of a regional BC Cancer Centre to work on site as required. The role requires fluency in Punjabi. 

What you’ll do

• Conduct comprehensive social, psycho-social and family assessments by methods such as interviewing the cancer patient and family and/or caregivers, obtaining relevant information, gathering social data regarding the patient and family, and formulation of assessment and plan of intervention, in accordance with professional practice standards and clinical policies.
• Provide short term individual, family, group and clinical counselling services by focusing on the social, emotional, cultural, and practical needs of the patients and their families/caregivers from the designated patient community, including adjustment to diagnosis, treatment decisions, recurrence, loss of functioning, and dealing with emotional, patient and family crises in the context of evidence-based care. Provides support, education, and crisis intervention to patients and families/caregivers by understanding the nature and treatment of the cancer and related issues.
• Work with the BC Cancer team-based care model, collaborates with other members of the interprofessional team on case consultations and management and discharge planning to facilitate care through the continuum and ensure proper and effective treatment of the patient. This includes attending team meetings, rounds, family conferences, and psycho-social forums relevant to family centered care and providing input.
• Prepare and maintain patient records by methods such as documenting client assessments, interventions, evaluations, modifications, and patient goals; charting client information; and preparing progress notes and reports in accordance with established standards, policies and procedures to meet regulatory requirements and document rationale to support findings and intervention plan.
• Develop and maintain support groups by implementing responsive programs for patients and their families in the designated patient community.
• Provide information and education to members of the patient community through presentations, emotional support and sharing translated written educational materials and publications. Promotes and facilitates cooperation between professional care providers and volunteers in the community. Provides information at professional conferences and public events; presents information on local radio programs.
• Liaise with community agencies which provide health care, counselling and educational programs for patients in the designated patient community. Identifies patients’ needs for services and makes appropriate referrals. Consults with and assists community groups in adapting programs to reflect the specific needs of the designated patient community.

What you bring

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a social sciences discipline relevant to the job from a recognized program, such as Social Work, Counselling Psychology, or Clinical Psychology.
• Minimum of two (2) years recent, related experience working in an interdisciplinary setting that includes experience with individual, marital, and family counselling group work, program and community development.
• Eligible for registration with designated professional regulatory body.
• 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 Cancer 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.).

You have:

• 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).
• 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.)
• Interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate effectively with patient, families, staff and the public.
• Work independently and co-operatively as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Deal with others tactfully and with sensitivity.
• Ability to carry out the duties of the position.
• Organize and prioritize work.
• Operate related equipment.
• Teach and supervise students.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position
• Fluency with the language in Punjabi.
• Demonstrated skills in CPR techniques.
• Demonstrate 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.
• 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.

Job Type: Regular, Full-Time

Wage: $42.27 - $52.81 per hour. 

Location: Provincial Position which involves remote work, however, the candidate must be within the vicinity of a regional BC Cancer Centre to work on-site as required.

Applications will be accepted until position is filled.

Hours of work: Monday – Friday; 0800-1600

Requisition Number: 180188E

What we do

BC Cancer provides comprehensive cancer control for the people of British Columbia.

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 – Create equity – Be courageous.

Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services

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 B.C. 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.employment@phsa.ca.

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.

ATTN: PHSA Employees:

To be considered as a PHSA employee (internal applicant) for this position, you must apply online via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca

Please note the internal job posting will no longer be accessible after the expiry date of March 7, 2025. 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 internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca and a Help Desk Representative will contact you the next business day.