Youth Therapist, Substance Use Services

Fraser Health is the second largest health system in Canada with over 45,000 staff, medical staff and volunteers, and is the largest of five regional health authorities in British Columbia, providing hospital and community-based health services to nearly 2 million people in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.

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Reporting to the Coordinator or designate, and reporting clinically to a DASW Supervisor as required, works from a framework of cultural safety and humility, supports care coordination across substance use services, local service areas, and regional and provincial services, with an emphasis on reducing barriers to re-enter the system of care and facilitating timely treatment and rapid re-engagement of clients where appropriate and feasible.

Provides client and family-centered care through a trauma-informed approach and evidence-informed practice to individual youth and families with and affected by persistent mental illness and substance use disorders. Provides initial screening, client assessment, treatment recommendations and plans, determines referral needs, provides case management and follow-up support, provides therapy including group therapy, liaises regarding complex situations, provides group education, liaison with community resources for specialized services, and counsels clients, maintaining respect for client dignity and maximum client self-determination and independence in provision of services. Participates in local committees and internal and external case conferences, and develops and delivers in-services, presentations and training to clients, families and caregivers. Participates in the development of standardized documents, procedures and process, and contributes to the collation of data analytics. Participates in process improvement activities and follows clinical and customer best practices. Services may be provided on an outreach basis when required in order to assess and/or engage with clients within their own environment and community. May be assigned as the "most responsible clinician" to specific clients dependent on the client's primary needs.

1. Performs initial screening of referrals from other health care providers/agencies, family members and caregivers of children/youth with mental health disorders and addictions issues, physicians and other sources to determine appropriate treatment based on client needs, urgency of request and best practices. Where assigned to Indigenous portfolios, provides outreach and assertive case-finding with Indigenous communities across the Fraser Salish Region.
2. Assesses client needs by gathering client information/history via phone interviews or other methods; seeking additional background information to perform initial assessment of client mental health status and risk to themselves or others and to determine priority of care, client eligibility, availability of resources, and service priorities; collaborating with the interdisciplinary team to determine best approach to care, and assessing the need for emergent crisis intervention.
3. Provides first level intervention and support such as short term brief interventions, follow-up, monitoring, and evaluating treatment outcomes.
4. Provides treatment/support and case management for complex situations including people in crisis through provision of services such as delivery of individual and group therapy to clients and families; developing and implementing recovery-oriented treatment options and plans through collaboration with clients and natural supports; providing comprehensive case consultation and follow-up support on treatment decisions in collaboration with other interdisciplinary team members.
5. Facilitates client utilization of appropriate community services and rehabilitative programs through methods such as considering the client's motivation and their stage in the treatment process, researching available services, liaising with service and program providers, providing advice and consultation to colleagues, and/or referring to other community resources as required.
6. Provides referrals to appropriate community treatment alternatives and services, including residential programs, family therapy, marital and separation counselling, alcohol and drug treatment, victim assistance, employee assistance programs, clubhouses, transition homes, vocational programs, and other agencies. Utilizes available community resources such as volunteers, community groups, alternate care services and other service agencies to develop supportive and rehabilitative programs for clients and their families.
7. Provides education to clients and families 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 abuse issues, the interaction of both, and the recovery process; suggesting positive behaviour modifications; examining motivations for change; and, teaching relapse prevention strategies.
8. Provides short-term counseling/support/education to families and other relevant caregivers of such youth, health providers and the general public to understand the nature, treatment and prognosis of the concurrent nature of the condition of the child/youth and assist with methods of coping, and provides information and guidance regarding the Mental Health & Substance Use Services, intake policies, procedures and processes, availability of both Community Health Services and Mental Health & Substance Use Services.
9. Maintains client records by recording information such as client assessments, charting client information via PARIS and/or other clinical information systems, preparing progress notes and reports in accordance with established standards, policies and procedures to meet regulatory requirements, documenting for future reference and ensuring that access to and disclosure of information and records are in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act.
10. Carries out responsibilities in accordance with health and safety requirements. Immediately reports unsafe situations by notifying supervisor or other appropriate personnel.
11. Develops linkages with other facilities and community resources, and advocates on behalf of the client and others to improve access, integration and coordination of mental health services, by way of establishing, maintaining and enhancing relationships/communication with community physicians, consulting psychiatrists, colleagues, community mental health services, acute hospitals, community services agencies, and other healthcare professionals.
12. Maintains relevant data and statistics on information such as intakes, requests, referrals in/out, priority, sources and nature of requests, and provides input to Coordinator and Manager.
13. Provides a consultative service to and knowledge exchange with other staff within Mental Health & Substance Use Services, as well as to external organizations such as Child and Youth Mental Health (MCFD), community agencies such as the Foundry, and other service providers who provide services to youth with concurrent disorders through organizing/participating in workshops and encouraging the development of mutual forums regarding concurrent disorders. Develops and/or delivers educational sessions through determining relevant content and required handouts, conducts literature searches, plans and coordinates seminars.
14. Promotes quality improvement through recommendations on policies, processes and procedures that streamline and provide for more efficient and effective client/family centred practices; develops and evaluates clinical protocols, identifies service needs and provides input and recommendations to the Coordinator/designate and Manager.
15. Participates actively and collaboratively in team planning, team meetings, committees, and/or corporate initiatives through discussions, presenting relevant material, acting as an advocate for the goals and objectives of the program, and promoting optimal support for clients, families and caregivers.
16. Maintains current and relevant mental health and substance practice 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-services, and/or case conferences in order to improve care through new practices.
17. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education, Training & Experience

Master's Degree in an applicable social or health sciences program such as Counselling Psychology or Social Work. One (1) year recent, related experience with youth in a mental health or substance use setting, or two (2) years' recent related experience working with clients and families with, or affected by, mental illness and substance use disorders, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Eligible for registration with relevant/applicable professional association.

Valid B.C. Driver's License and access to a personal vehicle for work-related purposes.

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of harm reduction, trauma-informed, recovery-oriented approach; concurrent disorders; addictions and addictions counselling.
• Demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of relevant Acts such as Mental Health Act, Freedom of Information Act, Child, Family and Community Service Act, pertinent regulations, policies and procedures, and other statutory duties.
• Comprehensive knowledge of psychiatric diagnosis and professional practice guidelines for the treatment of various disorders.
• Demonstrated ability in utilizing mental health and addictions standardized tools for client assessments.
• Demonstrated therapeutic skills in the areas of case management, individual and group therapy with youth with various mental health disorders including concurrent disorders.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the broad range of issues pertaining to adolescent mental health problems.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the developmental stages of the individual including related family life cycle and psychosocial issues.
• In-depth knowledge of community resources and strong collaborative skills in working with other community partners to inform the referral process.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing within a diverse and multicultural community.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals, groups, and interdisciplinary professionals through understanding the frameworks of other disciplines.
• Demonstrated ability to assess, plan, organize, implement, evaluate and problem-solve, organize and prioritize workload in a complex environment.
• Ability to effectively develop, coordinate and deliver in-services, education, presentations, psycho-educational and support groups and consultation to clients, families and healthcare professionals.
• Demonstrated therapeutic skills in the areas of case management, individual and group therapy with adults with various mental disorders including concurrent disorders.
• Proficiency in the use of personal computers, including related word processing and database management software applications.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.

Fraser Health is the heart of health care for over two million people in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley in British Columbia, Canada, on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux Nations and is home to 32 First Nations within the Fraser Salish region.

People - those we care for and those who care for them - are at the heart of everything we do. Our hospital and community-based services are delivered by a team of 48,000+ staff, medical staff and volunteers.

We are committed to planetary health and value diversity in the work force. We strive 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.

Together, we are the heart of health care.

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