Indigenous Concurrent Disorders Counsellor

Job Summary:

In accordance with the Purpose, Vision, Values, Coast Salish Teachings, and strategic direction of PHSA, as well as safety, including both patient and employee safety, which are a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA. As such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.
PHSA has a responsibility to deliver care to individuals in the provincial correctional system, and a responsibility to ensure that programs and services are free of Indigenous-specific racism. BCMHSUS is committed to the eradication of Indigenous-specific racism, embedding Indigenous Cultural safety and humility, and improving Indigenous health and wellness for those we serve.
The Indigenous Concurrent Disorders Counsellor (ICDC) reports to the Clinical Services Manager and participates in the development and provision of accessible, culturally appropriate, and safe services and care to Indigenous patients and their families. The ICDC carries out assessments and is responsible for providing a full range of rehabilitation services to incarcerated clients who also suffer from mental health and substance use disorders. The ICDC liaises, on behalf of clients, with medical professionals and other health care providers and Indigenous community-based agencies to ensure patients’ successful treatment and access to community-based care services as part of care planning. The ICDC is responsible for providing short-term counselling services to Indigenous patients with substance use dependence, concurrent disorders and chronic disease, and orientation to staff. The ICDC plans, implements, and assesses individualized client treatment programs for clients with substance dependence, mental illness, concurrent disorder, trauma and/or chronic disease through the lens of cultural competency within a trauma informed framework.

Duties/Accountabilities:

1. Conducts intake and comprehensive psychosocial, social and concurrent disorder assessments of adults experiencing severe psychiatric and behavioural difficulties who have been referred by Correctional Health Services (CHS) to determine current level of functioning and areas of strengths and deficits by methods such as utilizing best practices, evidence based practices and the principles of harm reduction; interviewing patients to identify their developmental history and their perception of level of social functioning and problems; analyzing and interpreting data from established assessment tools; identifying client needs, formulating treatment goals and barriers to treatment; preparing a written assessment, recommendations and information related to diagnosis, mental state and treatment plans; and preparing ongoing written assessments of patient progress regarding recommendation for return to the client’s sending facility or for release.
2. Advocates for and provides short-term counselling to patients and families concerning emotional and practical problems; facilitates direct concurrent disorders treatment, group programs and participates in the development of groups, to meet the needs of Indigenous patients and families 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 probing reasons for substance use and addiction; eliciting patients concerns; exploring emotional response to substance use and addiction, identifying goals and expectations, reviewing client and family learning needs, assisting with understanding of illness, suggesting positive behavior modifications; examining motivations for change; and teaching relapse prevention strategies and insight oriented group counselling.
3. Provides culturally appropriate education to clients and their families with a focus on those who identify as Indigenous, in accordance with theoretical models grounded in evidence-based practice, by exploring identified problems that may have resulted in substance use and mental health symptoms; identifying goals, expectations, and support resources; assisting with understanding of mental health and substance use issues, the interaction of both, and the recovery process; suggesting positive behaviour modifications; examining motivations for change; and, teaching relapse prevention strategies.
4. Provides guidance to, and integrates within, an interdisciplinary team. Imparts an Indigenous perspective & clinical expertise, with other members of the team, through collegial sharing of information such as provision of services within the context of an Indigenous health care perspective.
5. Maintains concise and accurate documentation of relevant information on patient files in accordance with PHSA policy standards and in compliance with professional and legal requirements to provide evidence and rationale to support findings and treatment plans. Provides written reports and treatment summaries as per PHSA policy, standards, and guidelines.
6. Acts as a liaison service between community agencies and care providers to support patients’ and families’ navigating care services. Responds to the service needs identified by patients and their families and makes appropriate referrals, or develops alternate strategies for patient support, education, and follow-up care.
7. Works in collaboration with other disciplines to develop and maintain a list of relevant community referral services.
8. Participates in the development and implementation of individualized treatment plans by methods such as working with clients to develop their goals for treatment and the criteria to measure progress towards these goals, collecting data from these criteria, and meeting with clients on a regular basis to review progress, and evaluating the treatment plan as required.
9. Works closely in collaboration with community-based agencies and health care providers who provide services for Indigenous communities and creates and maintains reciprocal and effecting working relationships to facilitate accessible and effective culturally responsive patient care.
10. Coordinates patient/family spiritual care and cultural requests, including access to sacred spaces within the CHS by coordinating with BC Corrections.
11. Develops and presents seminars about substance use, concurrent disorder, mental illness, trauma, and other related issues to clients in consultation with the inter-professional team and professional practice leaders.
12. Provides a link between Indigenous communities and Indigenous healthcare providers and supports Indigenous peoples’ understanding of the provincial healthcare system, the First Nations Health Authority, and federal healthcare systems where applicable. Provides information regarding the provision of and access to healthcare programs and services to Indigenous patients, families, and communities.
13. Participates in the planning and development of the department’s quality improvement program and participates in center wide patient safety and service initiatives, as required.
14. Participates in committees, team meetings, task groups, continuing education, conferences, and/or corporate initiatives by methods such as providing input from a clinical perspective, presenting relevant material, acting as an advocate for the goals and objectives of the program, and promoting optimal support and availability for resources for patients through an Indigenous perspective. Contributes as a member of the inter-professional team through contributing information in rounds, committees, and staff meetings.
15. Participates in collegial support, supervision of practicum students and consultation daily. Maintains an updated knowledge of current developments in substance use and mental health issues particularly related to Indigenous patients, chronic disease, counselling therapy, and trauma by reviewing relevant literature, consulting with clinical and community experts within the field, evaluating clinical practice, and participating in professional development activities to improve care through new practices. Participates in the orientation of counselling and health care professionals and students by precepting and role modeling. Maintains awareness of emerging issues, trends and activities in clinical practice including individual counselling methods, family therapy and group dynamics.
16. Participates in research as well as other multidisciplinary projects through methods such as reviewing relevant literature, collaborating with and other health care professionals, promoting staff awareness and involvement in research activities, collecting data, analyzing information, and promoting the use of research findings as basis for practice.
17. Provides regular activity reports to leadership regarding current issues, trends and outcomes related to Indigenous concurrent disorders activities including specific client concerns.
18. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Pursuant to section 42 of the British Columbia Human Rights Code, preference will be given to applicants of Indigenous Ancestry.
Education, Training and Experience
• Master’s degree in a relevant social science discipline, such as Social Work, Counselling Psychology or Clinical Psychology.
• Minimum of two (2) years’ recent, related experience working with Indigenous patients within an interdisciplinary setting that includes experience with individual and family counseling, concurrent disorders in a health care setting, group work, program and community development, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Skills and Abilities
• Lived experience with Indigenous populations.
• Demonstrated experience working with Indigenous people and communities, with a strong understanding of Indigenous histories, settler-colonialism, and discrimination, and how it impacts Indigenous people & communities today.
• Broad knowledge of psychopharmacology (indications and side-effects), trauma informed practice, and chronic disease such as HIV and Hepatitis C.
• 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.).
• Broad knowledge of Indigenous community resources and services substance use, trauma, and other mental health services.
• Demonstrated ability to provide competent and culturally safe care in a variety of settings and with diverse populations.
• Demonstrated ability to both practice and lead in a trauma-informed, psychologically safe, anti-racist, patient and family centered manner.
• 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 and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments 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 – and how they intersect across the health care system.
• Broad knowledge of the service delivery system for adults at risk at the local, regional, and provincial level.
• Comprehensive knowledge of and a demonstrated ability in comprehensive psychosocial assessments and treatment services including therapeutic counselling and individual group and family therapies.
• Comprehensive knowledge of developmental theories, family dynamics, treatment, and behaviour management modalities.
• Knowledge and ability to apply Indigenous specific healing modalities using wise and evidence-based practices.
• Broad knowledge of adult education principles, methods, and tools.
• Demonstrated ability in implementing decisions regarding treatment and release consideration for concurrent disordered mentally disordered offenders.
• Demonstrated ability to participate in development of a comprehensive treatment plan.
• Demonstrated ability to complete documentation in compliance with professional, agency and legal requirements.
• Interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate effectively with patients by creating & maintaining cultural safety when working with patients, families, staff, and Indigenous communities.
• Ability to operate related equipment including basic computer literacy to operate a computerized clinical information system, word processing, spreadsheets, and e-mail software.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.