Counsellor and Group Clinician
BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services
Coquitlam, BC

What you’ll do

• Conduct intake and comprehensive psychosocial assessments of adults experiencing severe psychiatric and behavioural difficulties who have been referred by the Courts to determine current level of functioning and areas of strengths and deficits by methods such as interviewing patients to identify their developmental history and their perception of level of social functioning and problems, interviewing family members and other community sources for collateral information, and collecting file data and reviewing referral information from Police, Court and other community agencies, and consulting with treatment team members; analyzing and interpreting data from established assessment tools; identifying client needs, formulating psychosocial treatment goals and barriers to treatment; preparing a written assessment that may be utilized in Court, submitting recommendations and information related to diagnosis, fitness to stand trial, mental state at a time of offence and treatment plans; and preparing ongoing written assessment of patient progress and submitting written reports to the B.C. Board of Review and/or Review Panel regarding recommendation for release.
• Provide psychosocial intervention and treatment services for patients by methods such as carrying out evidence based individual, group and family therapies according to a variety of theoretical models; establishing and maintaining therapeutic relationships based on respect; developing and providing psychosocial group programs targeting specific areas of psychological and social functioning including social skills, anger management, coping skills, assertiveness training, and self-esteem; and eliciting concerns, exploring emotional response to illness, identifying goals and expectations, reviewing client and family learning needs, and assisting with understanding of illness.
• Collaborate, consult and provide clinical support to colleagues by methods such participating in treatment planning conferences, providing information and guidance, and discussing client care issues with appropriate members of the clinical treatment team; developing linkages/partnerships with other facilities and agencies; training other staff in group facilitation process for psychosocial groups and providing clinical consultation on psychosocial issues for individual patients as needed and working with the multidisciplinary staff to maintain rehabilitation programs consistent with the psychiatric rehabilitation model.
• Participate in BC Review Board hearings and responds to questions of the Review Board members, legal counsel for the client, crown counsel, and other participants as appropriate.
• Maintain concise and accurate documentation of relevant information on patient files in accordance with FPSC policy standards and in compliance with ministry, agency and legal requirements in order to provide evidence and rationale to support findings and treatment plan.  Provides written reports and summaries as per FPSC policy, standards and guidelines. 

What you bring

Qualifications:

• Masters Degree in an Allied Health Discipline from a recognized program. 
• Two (2) years recent related experience in a mental health setting, or an equivalent combination of training, education and experience.

Skills & Knowledge:

• Comprehensive knowledge of developmental theories, family dynamics, treatment and behaviour management modalities.
• Broad knowledge of the service delivery system for adults at risk at the local, regional and provincial level.
• Broad knowledge of the Canadian judicial system as it relates to forensic mental health clients.
• 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 

Job Type: Regular, Full-Time (1.00 FTE)
Wage: $40.52 to $50.62 per hour
Location: 70 Colony Farm Road, Coquitlam, BC V3C 5X9
Applications will be accepted until position is filled.
Hours of Work: Monday to Friday; 08:00-16:00.
Requisition # 144520

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

BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services (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 (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.

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

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. 

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 May 4^th, 2023. 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.