Primary Care Network, MH&SU Clinician/clinical Counsellor

Fraser Health is responsible for the delivery of hospital and community-based health services from Burnaby to Fraser Canyon on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux Nations, and is home to six Métis Chartered Communities.

Our team of 45,000 staff, medical staff and volunteers is dedicated to serving our patients, families and communities to deliver on our vision: Better health, best in health care. Learn more.

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Full Time – Primary Care Network MH&SU Clinician to join our team in Surrey, B.C. We hire great people for outstanding jobs and need your help to expand the ability to deliver prompt and professional service.

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Fraser Health is proudly recognized as a BC Top Employer. Joining our team offers you opportunities to work in a rapidly growing organization with health professionals who are excellent in their respective fields, career growth and advancement, a competitive compensation package (including four weeks of vacation to start, comprehensive health benefits, and pension plan), and the rewarding opportunity to make a difference every single day in health care.

Effective October 26, 2021 all staff for all positions across health care in British Columbia are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (have received a full series of a World Health Organization “WHO” approved vaccine against infection by SARS-COV-2, or a combination of approved WHO vaccines). Please note this applies to all postings, and there are no exceptions.

Fraser Health values diversity in the work force and strives to maintain an environment of Respect, Caring and Trust. Fraser Health’s hiring practices aspire to ensure all individuals are treated in an inclusive, equitable, and culturally safe manner.

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The Primary Care Network, MH&SU Clinician/Clinical Counsellor will support clients with mild to moderate mental health and/or substance use conditions through strong local linkages between Primary Care Networks (PCN), Family Physicians/Nurse Practitioners and Mental Health Substance Use Services (MH&SUS) Specialized Community Services Programs (SCSP). Within the PCN, the Primary Care Network, MH&SU Clinician/Clinical Counsellor will facilitate access to MH&SUS SCSP and will also support the transition of stable moderate to severe clients from MH&SU SCSP to the care of primary care providers (PCP) within PCN.

This position will determine client's needs using standardized assessment tools; liaises with community resources, formulates and implements short-term engagement and treatment plans, provides short-term counselling, brief interventions and comprehensive case consultation and follow-up support in collaboration with the local PCN and MH&SUS teams. Provides advice, direction and advocacy for issues related to housing, food security and income. Develops, coordinates and delivers in-house services, presentations and training to staff. Supports the inclusion of family members/natural supports in treatment planning. Participates in the development and evaluation of PCN/MH&SUS Liaison program. Provides share care visits at PCP offices as required.

1. Provides diagnostic client assessment and brief, short-term individual interventions/group therapy, using a variety of interviewing, counselling, and assessment methods, in accordance with professional standards and clinical policies and practices. Coordinates cases and formulates treatment plans and goals within the PCN, in collaboration with appropriate MH&SUS staff, assigned agency staff, family members/natural supports and other services, as required. Uses crisis intervention and outreach as required.
2. Facilitates clients' utilization of appropriate community services and rehabilitative programs (such as alcohol and drug treatment, vocational programs, MH&SUS Specialized Community Services Programs, Primary Care Centres, clubhouses, transition homes, community groups) by performing duties such as researching available services, liaising with these agencies, providing related advice and consultation to clients and staff, and supporting self-management strategies for clients. Provides urgent response crisis stabilization and facilitates hospital admission when required.
3. Maintains client records and statistics, prepares reports, and completes forms as required, in accordance with regional policies and standards, including clinical record standards of MH&SUS. Obtains consent forms for release of client information.
4. Advocates on behalf of clients and in support of families/natural supports to assist in access appropriate services related to housing, food security and income by providing clients with information about appeal processes, providing information about clients to relevant Ministries and assisting clients to complete forms; acts as a resource for clients and their families.
5. Provides education to clients, families/natural supports and staff and other agencies regarding community mental health and substance use resources, programs and issues.
6. Participates in quality improvement and risk management activities for assigned area by performing duties such as participating in quality initiatives, providing feedback to the Coordinator about needs and gaps in programs and services, and suggesting solutions to improve the linkage and collaboration between Mental Health and Substance Use Services and Primary Care Networks. Participates in ongoing education to maintain current and relevant practice, including clinical education, as well as maintaining current knowledge of relevant Federal and Provincial legislation and amendments that impact mental health and substance use care and service delivery.
7. Participates as a member of both the Mental Health & Substance Use Services team and Primary Care Network to provide and receive information as a representative of the team, as required. Informs staff, community groups, and agencies of the role and function of both teams by providing information formally during in-services.
8. Participates in clinical research and program evaluation activities relevant to the needs of clients, families, Community Mental Health and Substance Use Services, Primary Care Network and the community, by providing information as requested.
9. Maintains knowledge of mental health and substance use as it relates to concurrent disorders through methods such as reviewing literature and research, consulting with clinical and community experts within the field, evaluating clinical practice and participating in professional development activities in order to improve care through new practices.
10. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

Master’s degree in Social Work, Clinical Counselling or other relevant health related discipline. Eligible for registration with appropriate professional association.

Two (2) years’ recent, related experience in a community or hospital psychiatry setting working with clients and families with, or affected by, mental illness and substance use disorders, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Valid B.C. Driver’s license and access to own vehicle with appropriate business coverage.

Skills and Abilities

• Comprehensive applied knowledge of counselling techniques including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and other psychotherapeutic techniques.
• Demonstrated client assessment and case consultation skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of mental health disorders and concurrent disorders.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the field of alcohol and drug misuse.
• Demonstrated ability to undertake client assessments utilizing mental health and substance use standardized tools.
• Comprehensive knowledge of emergency triage procedures, mental health status assessment, counselling principles and interview techniques.
• Working knowledge of psychopharmacology, crisis theory, and de-escalation techniques.
• Working knowledge of DSM V Multiaxial Diagnosis or International Classification of Diseases 10.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing, including empathic and respectful communication appropriate to the situation.
• Good interpersonal skills, including the ability to get along well with clients, families, and members of the interdisciplinary team, and including the ability to effectively network with other services and agencies.
• Ability to set priorities, organize work to effectively manage a demanding workload, and exercise sound judgment, both clinically and non-clinically.
• Ability to work effectively and to flexibly manage changing workload needs under pressure, and during times of change.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, while seeking the appropriate level of consultation and approval from the Coordinator.
• Ability to maintain appropriate confidentiality in accordance with applicable regional policies.
• Ability to learn new methodologies, ideas, and concepts.
• Demonstrated ability to teach and facilitate learning of staff and/or clients/families.
• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership and work direction in a coaching/mentoring role.
• Ability to provide effective and efficient service, while meeting clinical and administrative government and health region policies, standards, and protocol requirements.
• Knowledge of community resources and methods of accessing them.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.