Child & Youth Clinical Counsellor (Masters) - Primary Care

Come work as a Clinical Counsellor, Primary Care with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) Apply today to speak to a Talent Acquisition Advisor

Vancouver Coastal Health is looking for a Child & Youth Clinical Counsellor to join the Primary Care Network team at Sunshine Coast Home Care Services in Sechelt, B.C. Apply today to join our team

As a Child & Youth Clinical Counsellor, Primary Care with VCH you will:

• Collaborate with the Primary Care Provider (Family Physician or Nurse Practitioner) and other members of the PCN Interdisciplinary team to provide assessment, education and intervention to children, youth and families including comprehensive psychosocial assessments and individual, group and family counselling resulting in improved patient well-being and self-management of medical, behavioral and psychosocial needs.
• Maintain partnership with the Primary Care Provider in accordance with the local PCN care delivery model as co-designed by the PCN Partners (local Division of Family Practice, VCH Community of Care and First Nations Partners).
• Provide short-term counselling services to primary care patients/clients at the request of the PCN Team member.
• Assess referred patients/clients, assists patients/clients in setting goals and supporting their psychosocial spiritual needs through the delivery of individual, family and/or group counselling.
• Be responsible for the coordination of patient/client services and/or the referral of patients/clients to internal and external supports or other health care providers.

About Primary Care Networks (PCN) 

This new model of care includes a multi-disciplinary team of nurses, pharmacists and allied health professionals, working alongside and supporting family physicians, nurse practitioners at primary care offices, Primary Care Community Health Centres, Urgent and Primary Care centres, and services delivered by not-for-profit community health partners. Team members involved in the patient's care will work closely together, so that they can get a full picture of the health care needs. PCNs are expected to provide patients and primary care providers with strong, effective links to hospitals and diagnostic service providers.

Education & Experience

• Master's Degree in a health science discipline (such as counselling psychology, social work) from a recognized program that includes a clinical supervised practicum.
• Two (2) years' recent related experience providing care to Children &Youth through a holistic mental health, substance use and primary care lens or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Current full registration with applicable regulatory College or eligibility for registration with the appropriate professional body or association, as applicable
• Valid BC Drivers Licence and access to a vehicle.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of the Contextual Model of Counselling Therapy and/or the Common Factors Approach that inform evidence-based counselling.
• Comprehensive knowledge of attachment Theory and Crisis Intervention and Family system theory.
• Broad knowledge of crisis intervention and foundational counselling skills, including Motivational Interviewing.
• Broad knowledge of Child and Youth Eating Disorders.
• Broad knowledge of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
• Broad knowledge of mental health concerns and treatment.
• Broad knowledge of substance use and addictions treatment.
• Knowledge of School and School District policy around care of students and the responsibility of the Principal (fair and just parent role).
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of a patient/client and family centered recovery model in mental health.
• Working knowledge of DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders).
• Knowledge and skills to provide care coordination to a select caseload of patients/clients.
• Demonstrated ability in dealing with a variety of situations and responsibilities requiring initiative, creativity and professional judgment.
• Demonstrated knowledge to assess patients/clients at risk and knowledge of appropriate legislation acts; e.g. Health Care Consent Act, Mental Health Act,
• Adult Guardianship Act, Continuing Care Act, Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act as it relates to the rights and obligations of patient/clients and staff.
• Demonstrated ability to provide competent and culturally safe care in a variety of settings and with diverse populations.
• Demonstrated ability to promote Indigenous Cultural Safety.
• Demonstrated an understanding of Trauma Informed Practice, Harm Reduction and Recovery Oriented Care.
• Broad knowledge of other facilities and community resources.
• Demonstrated ability to recognize when referral to another health care professional is required.
• Demonstrated ability to support seamless transition in care.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with patients/clients and their families, colleagues, Primary Care Providers, and other health care staff, both one-on-one and in groups.
• Demonstrated listening and information seeking skills that promotes communication and lead to a cooperative approach to problem solving within a multidisciplinary setting.
• Demonstrated ability to establish workload priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to adjust schedule to deal with unexpected situations.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated ability to provide consultation and leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve and use critical thinking skills.
• Demonstrated ability to deal effectively with conflict situations.
• Ability to operate related equipment.
• Demonstrated computer skills including the ability to effectively use a computerized patient/client care information documentation system.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

The hours of work including days off and work area may be subject to change consistent with operational requirements and the provision of the Collective Agreement and applicable statutes. Successful applicants may be required to complete a Criminal Records Review Check.

As per Ministry of Health policy, all health care workers working in publicly-funded health care facilities are required to report their past receipt of certain vaccines or history of certain infections. Collecting these records will allow for offering of any missing vaccines, and for appropriate actions to be taken in the event of any future exposure to a communicable disease or during outbreaks. For all new hires and appointments to Vancouver Coastal Health, you will be asked to provide this information as part of the onboarding process.

WHY JOIN VANCOUVER COASTAL HEALTH?

VCH is a world class innovator in medical care, research and teaching, delivering service to more than one million BC residents. At VCH, we embrace thinking boldly, taking smart risks, and "going first" when we believe it will lead to the best possible outcomes for patients and their families. We invite you to join us in creating healthy lives in healthy communities by showcasing our passion for care, connection to the communities we serve and our culture of teamwork that makes VCH a great place to work.

• Comprehensive health benefits package, including MSP, extended health and dental and municipal pension plan
• Grow your career with employer-paid training and leadership development opportunities
• Wellness supports, including counselling, critical incident and innovative wellness services are available to employees and their immediate families
• Award-winning recognition programs to honour staff, medical staff and volunteers

At Vancouver Coastal Health, our vision of healthy lives in healthy communities inspires us and our values and pillars guide us. We support equitable practices, diverse teams and inclusive environments, which are vital to creating welcoming spaces where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and feel supported. We encourage applications from equity-deserving communities, including Indigenous Peoples and members of racialized groups, people with disabilities and people of all gender identities and expressions and sexual orientation.

Vancouver Coastal Health is proud to be recognized as one of BC's Top Employers, Canada's Best Diversity Employers and Canada's Top Employers for Young People in 2025.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for this posting.

***Employees of VCH must apply online via the Internal Career Portal on CareerHub, you are currently viewing the External Career Portal. Refer to the site for instructions on how to view internal job postings and how to apply as an employee. Current VCH employees who apply to this posting using this external site will be considered as an external candidate. Seniority will not apply.***

Thank you for your interest in Vancouver Coastal Health.