Counsellor

Pacifica Treatment Centre

Pacifica Treatment Centre (Pacifica), founded in 1977, is an innovative charitable sector society that provides gender-inclusive in-residence treatment and community-based supportive recovery-focused services for individuals experiencing challenges associated with problematic substance use, in conjunction with concurrent mental health concerns and trauma.

Pacifica provides a comprehensive range of services designed to support personalized recovery goals, enhancing the quality of life and well-being for individuals. Our offerings include:

• Pre-engagement services and system navigation
• Orientation programs
• Primary treatment with a 27-bed in-residence facility
• A stabilization program featuring 8 in-residence beds
• Programs focusing on resiliency and trauma
• Integrative wellness initiatives
• Continuing care support
• Alumni services

At the core of our approach is an interdisciplinary team that employs a trauma-informed therapeutic community model. This approach empowers individuals to take charge of their recovery journey, fostering self-discovery, self-empowerment, and self-actualization. We achieve this through a combination of therapeutic counseling, educational initiatives, and supportive services, all aimed at strengthening not just the individuals but also their families and communities.

Our Philosophy

Pacifica respectfully acknowledges that we provide services in the unceded traditional and overlapping territories of the Coast Salish peoples, including the territories of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), xʷməθkwəyəm (Musqueam), and Səlílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations and strive to do so with a collaborative spirit of reconciliation, respect and honour for the land, its peoples and their ancestors.

Pacifica embraces the values that support gender equity; anti-oppression; anti-homophobia/anti-transphobia; the elimination of stigma; sex-positivity; access for people with disabilities; anti-harassment and workplace violence; and anti-racism.

Nature and Scope of Work

The Pacifica Treatment Centre Society is seeking a Casual Counsellor (Concurrent Disorders) with a completed Master's degree in a Behavioural Health Discipline (Counselling or Social Work) and experience working in a substance use treatment service (in-residence experience preferred). The Counsellor provides one-on-one counselling, psycho-educational sessions, group therapy, clinical assessments, family counselling, and crisis intervention.

Illustrative Examples of Work

Provides clinical services to individuals and their self-defined family members:

• Create treatment care plans, aligning with clients' recovery and mental health goals.
• Provide treatment and clinical services for concurrent disorders, including but not limited to trauma, substance use, personality disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, eating disorders, and process addictions.
• Conduct substance use and bio-psycho-social assessments, mental status examination and case formulations.
• Provide treatment services to clients including individual and group therapy, and psychoeducational workshops according to theoretical models.
• Collaborate and liaise internally within an interdisciplinary team, and externally with allied health, social, housing, and medical service agencies/services.
• Maintain client documentation and records in the EMR system, according to established legislation and guidelines.
• Comprehensive and safe transition/discharge planning.

Team practices and program planning and development:

• Participate in all interdisciplinary team meetings/case conferences, and all-staff meetings.
• Embrace a trauma-informed, culturally safe, and interdisciplinary team approach to create and implement strategies to address problematic client behaviors and conflict.
• Participate in planning, development, and implementation of policies and procedures, and programs and services to enhance the continuum of care.

Expand services:

• Professional development/training to maintain alignment with current evidence-informed practices.
• Meet shifting demands and regulatory, legal, and organizational requirements and standards.

Additional duties as required:

• Assist in the orientation of new employees and practicum students.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, and manage interpersonal relationships effectively.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work.
• Knowledge of and experience working within principals of equity, inclusivity, diversity, accessibility, and belonging.
• Proficient computer skills, specifically pertaining to Microsoft Office, Microsoft Teams, and EMR systems for report writing and data entry.
• Demonstrated ability to apply a variety of theoretical models in clinical assessment and intervention, such as DBT, IFS, EFT, SE, AEDP.
• Demonstrated ability to assess and respond appropriately to emergency and pressure situations.

Education, Training & Experience:

• Completed master's degree in a Behavioural Health Discipline (counselling or social work) from an approved and accredited post-secondary institution.
• Please note that only applicants with a master's degree in counselling or social work will be considered.
• Professional registration with the applicable college or association (BCACC, CCPA), or regulatory college (BCCSW).
• Minimum 1-2 years' experience working in a community-based or in-residence treatment service for individuals experiencing problematic substance use in conjunction with concurrent disorders and trauma/PTSD.

Pacifica's Commitment to Equity and Inclusion

Pacifica actively encourages applications from members of equity-deserving groups, including but not limited to:

• Persons with lived experience related to substance use, mental health, and trauma.
• First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples, and all other Indigenous Peoples.
• Members of non-dominant racial communities.
• Persons with visible and/or invisible disabilities.
• Persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions.

Pacifica requires the results of a Vulnerable Sector Screening and TB Screening prior to employment.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $40.75-$48.58 per hour

Work Location: In person