Regional Addictions Specialist

**FNHA Overview**:
The First Nations Health Authority is a diverse and transformational health organization of professional, innovative and dedicated team members and leaders.

The first of its kind in Canada, FNHA works as a health-and-wellness partner with BC First Nations to support self-determination and decision-making to improve health outcomes.

**JOIN OUR HISTORIC JOURNEY**
At FNHA, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to BC’s history. With a unique governing structure and mandate, our fluid work environment means you can play an active role in real change.
Our talented teams value respect and foster lateral kindness in their working relationships. Our holistic approach to wellness, based on First Nations teachings, is incorporated into all aspects of work culture. Where else will you get to create a personal wellness plan as part of your performance goals?

**Position Summary**:
Provides advanced level of specialized expertise in the area of addictions, and substance use to support First Nation community development and planning and FNHA program delivery. Develops and supports the implementation of addictions action plans in partnership with communities and Nations. Maintains records and evaluates response process to improve services and inform prevention or follow up efforts. Works closely with the Mental Wellness Team.

**As a health and wellness organization, the First Nations Health Authority has aligned with the Provincial Public Health Order released on October 14, 2021. We have a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for all employees at First Nations Health Authority. This policy requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If selected for employment, you will be required to provide proof of vaccination by providing a copy of your BC Vaccination Card Passport with the QR code.**

**Responsibilities**:

- Provides specialized expertise to the regional team in the development of strategic and operational plans to implement new program initiatives and projects, and support implementation within the FNHA planning framework by gathering relevant and timely information, analyzing and identifying service requirements
- Under the overall FNHA approach to mental health and wellness, provides regional addictions services and specialized expertise to the development of a region specific, integrated holistic mental wellness strategic plan that incorporates harm reduction and addiction treatment approaches within a larger healing framework that has capacity to address root causes of addictions behavior.
- Provides regional level of addictions services and regional context to the development of strategies and policies at FNHA, in community, and at both government and non-government health agencies.
- Provides guidance and works collaboratively with treatment center directors and community leaders to support the identification of training requirements, accreditation processes and certification of community workers.
- Provides regional context and guidance to the implementation of addiction prevention, intervention, and treatment programs for First Nations in British Columbia, including overall mental health and wellness programs and services.
- A full job description is available upon request._

**Qualifications**:

- University degree in public health, or related field of studies, such as Allied Health, Behavioral/Social Sciences, Clinical Psychology.
- Up-to-date registration and demonstrates good standing with a professional regulatory body in the health field.
- Recent, relevant, and significant experience in a mental health and substance use environment, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, usually acquired over a period of Five (5) to seven (7) years.
- Experience in the regional health authority systems/services, and working with First Nations individuals, communities or organizations on issues related to health and wellness.

**Knowledge, Skills & Attributes**:

- Understanding of holistic health including all aspects of the mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual quadrants.
- Knowledge of best practices in addictions prevention, intervention and postvention.
- Knowledge of community engagement and development processes.
- Knowledge of assessment and screening techniques in determining addiction and other risk factors.
- Knowledge of the First Nations communities within British Columbia.
- Knowledge of colonization and the unique history of Indigenous peoples in Canada.
- Knowledge of ethical requirements for documentation of addictions incident records, including addictions response.
- Knowledge of trauma informed practice as it relates to First Nations.

**Closing Statement**:
**Diversity**

The First Nations Health Authority is committed to respecting diversity within our workforce; preference will be given to individuals with Indigenous ancestry (First Nations, Inuit, Métis).

**What You Can Expect From Us**

Joining our family means joining