Youth and Family Counsellor, Pediatric Acute Medical Unit, Medical Inpatient

Youth and Family Counsellor, Pediatric Acute Medical Unit, Medical Inpatient

BC Children's Hospital

Vancouver, BC

What you'll do

• Assesses patients' emotional and behavioural presentation, through the application of developmental theory, skills in Child and Youth Care, and trauma informed care. Communicates this assessment to the primary nurse and/or interprofessional team using appropriate methods including written documentation as per agency standards.
• Supports children and youth in lifespan development activities through supportive counselling, strategic interventions, psychosocial development, and guidance in activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing and therapeutic meal support.
• Participates and contributes to patient care plan development, treatment strategies and intervention development with the assigned primary nurse and the interprofessional team by methods such as reviewing patient progress, discussing potential changes with team, and adjusting care strategies accordingly. Implements treatment team strategies and interventions as approved by the primary nurse and interprofessional team.
• Participates in program development with consideration to patient needs and plans, initiates, implements and facilitates therapeutic programming in a manner that fosters socialization skills, play skills, self-regulation and continued growth and development in children/youth as assigned.
• Enhances family/caregivers capacity for relational development by methods of child/parent dyad interventions and psychoeducational groups.

What you bring

• Baccalaureate in Child and Youth Care, or a Baccalaureate of Arts with a Major in Psychology or Clinical Counselling, that includes course content relevant to Child and Youth Mental Health such as Infant, Child, and Adolescent Development, Fundamentals of Clinical Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, and Group and Family Processes.
• Two (2) years' recent related experience working in a child and youth setting.
• Group planning and facilitation for children with Mental Health challenges and/or developmental difficulties.
• Current CPR certification.

You will have

• Broad knowledge of the normal growth and development of children and youth
• Basic knowledge of mental health disorders in children and youth.
• Broad knowledge of Trauma Informed Care including Collaborative Problem Solving.
• Broad Knowledge of Attachment and Self Regulation Theory and Strategies.
• Broad knowledge of and demonstrated ability in recognizing and managing transference and counter-transference.
• Demonstrated initiative in providing and participating in age appropriate activities.
• Commitment to develop 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.
• Commitment to upholding the shared responsibility of creating lasting and meaningful reconciliation in Canada as per TRC and BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act
• As a strong asset for consideration, we are looking for our successful candidate to have: 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.).

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 Opportunities
Wage: $ $52.81 / Hour

Location: 4500 Oak Street, Vancouver BC, V6H 2N9

Applications will be accepted until position is filled
Hours of Work: Rotating; 0800/ /2300
Requisition # 169119E & 168939E

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 Children's Hospital (BCCH) provides care for the most seriously ill or injured children and youth from across British Columbia.

BCCH is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).

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:

PHSA and BCCH 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.

PHSA is committed to 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 marginalized groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.

One of PHSA's North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya'kula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at

Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and marginalization faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and self-determination of Indigenous communities. PHSA must uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents such as 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.

ATTN: PHSA Employees:

To be considered as a PHSA employee (internal applicant) for this position, you must apply online via your internal profile at

Please note the internal job posting will no longer be accessible after the expiry date of July 21, 2024. 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 or . 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 and a Help Desk Representative will contact you the next business day.