Youth and Family Mental Health and Substance Use

**Job Description**:
In accordance with the Vision, Purpose, and Values, and strategic direction of the Vancouver Island Health Authority (Island Health), patient and staff safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone; as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

Reporting to the Program Coordinator or designate and working as a member of a multidisciplinary health team, the Youth and Family Mental Health and Substance Use Clinician provides client and family-centered care through a trauma-informed approach and evidence-informed practice to individual youth and families with and affected by serious and 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 and family therapy. Liaises regarding complex situations. Liaisons 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. Utilizing advanced clinical knowledge contributes to the efficiency of service delivery and advancement of clinical practice. Travel may be a requirement of this position and transportation arrangements must meet the operational requirements of the Island Health.

**QUALIFICATIONS**:
**Education, Training And Experience**:
Master's Degree in a health or human services related field of study, including counselling content from an approved post-secondary institution. Five (5) years of recent experience in a counselling role with youth where substance use and/or mental health is a major issue. An equivalent level of education, training and experience may be considered.

Understanding of alcohol and drug issues relating to youth, substance use assessments, treatment methodologies, strength-based case management, intervention strategies, the change process, and community dynamics. Knowledge of and experience with a range of emotional, behavioral and mental health issues specific to the youth and family population. Knowledge, skill and experience with individual, family and group counselling.

Eligible for registration with a relevant/applicable professional association.

**Skills And Abilities**:

- Demonstrated understanding congruent with the range of services and treatment of alcohol and drug issues, from misuse to dependency
- Demonstrated working knowledge of theories of change, including but not limited to the Transtheoretical Model, Strength-based/Resiliency, and Recovery
- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
- Ability to deliver empathic/non-judgmental age and gender sensitive service and to relate well with people from a wide variety of socio-economic and cultural environments.
- Demonstrated foundation in counselling evidence-based modalities and approaches including but not limited to Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Solution-Focused, and Family Counselling methods.
- Demonstrated ability in problem solving and ethical decision-making
- Demonstrated ability to engage clients through the use of sound judgment, good observation and attending skills, tact and empathy
- Ability to promote and support positive change and independence Ability to engage in productive clinical supervision processes
- Ability to work independently, demonstrating initiative, with limited supervision
- Ability to facilitate and motivate sustained learning opportunities and resources, as well as promote and respect others needs for ownership of learning outcomes
- Ability to work cooperatively as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Ability to establish and maintain relationships based on mutual respect and trust, appropriate sensitivity and transparency, empathy, and compassion with clients, colleagues, professional associates, and the greater community. Encompasses skills of tact, diplomacy, and sensitivity in all encounters with others.
- Ability to lead projects and colleagues, helping to create a positive environment for change
- Ability to identify and prioritize tasks, develop and implement plans, evaluate outcomes, and adjust activities in order to achieve objectives
- Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position
- Ability to operate a personal computer with a variety of windows based software Ability to foster good public relations
- Valid BC Driver's License

**Job Requirements**: