Counsellor/Educator, Masters Degree, Behavioral Services - Burnaby

Are you someone who is passionate about making a difference in the lives children and youth living with developmental disability, mental illness and/or challenging behaviours? Do you embody qualities of appreciation, understanding, and acceptance? Are you a looking to showcase your knowledge, skills, and abilities in a new and dynamic environment? If you've answered yes, then we want you to keep reading and discover the next step in your career.

Position Highlights:

We hire great people for phenomenal jobs and need your help to carry out established Mental Health & Substance Use Services in accordance with the mission, vision and values of Fraser Health. We currently have an exciting opportunity for you to bring your excellent work ethic as a dedicated Full Time Behavioural Services Counsellor/Educator within our Developmental Disabilities Mental Health - Youth team located at Burnaby, B.C.

Fraser Health is responsible for the delivery of hospital and community-based health services to over 1.9 million people in 20 diverse communities from Burnaby to Fraser Canyon on the traditional territories of the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux Nations. Our team of 43,000 staff, medical staff and volunteers is dedicated to serving our patients, families and communities to deliver on our vision: Better health, best in health care.

Effective October 26, 2021, all new hires to Fraser Health will need to have full COVID 19 vaccination (have received a full series of a World Health Organization “WHO” approved vaccine against infection by SARS-COV-2, or a combination of approved WHO vaccines).  Please note this applies to all postings, and individual medical exemptions must be approved by the Provincial Health Officer.

Reporting to the Manager and under the supervision of the Psychologist, the Counsellor/Educator functions as a member of an interdisciplinary mental health team in conjunction with families and existing community care networks to provide counselling and non-aversive behavioural therapy to children and youth living in the community with challenging behaviours and/or mental illness and developmental disability. Assesses clients, determines referral needs, formulates and implements treatment plans, and provides comprehensive case consultation and follow-up support on treatment decisions. Develops, coordinates and delivers in-services, presentations, workshops and training.

1. Manages a caseload of children and youth living with mental illness and/or challenging behaviours and developmental disability.
2. Designs and implements non-aversive behavioural interventions for children and youth living with challenging behaviours and/or mental illness/developmental disability.
3. Provides clinical expertise and practical strategies to Ministry for Children and Family Development (MCFD) child and youth staff, caregivers, and families related to the development of behaviour management plans
4. Provides individual and group comprehensive psychotherapy/counselling to clients utilizing techniques appropriate for children and youth living with developmental disability.
5. Provides comprehensive case consultation and follow-up support on treatment decisions by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team, communicating with external professional community sources, and providing input regarding treatment decisions that meet the needs of clients and their support networks.
6. Develops, coordinates and delivers in-services, education sessions, presentations and training to clients, their families, support networks, MCFD staff, Fraser Health staff and other relevant agencies.
7. Maintains client records by documenting client assessments, charting client information, and preparing progress notes in accordance with established standards, policies and procedures to meet regulatory requirements.
8. Collects and maintains clinical and administrative data, such as workload statistics, client satisfaction surveys, etc.
9. Provides instruction, feedback and supervision of students as assigned
10. Performs general public relations duties such as community education regarding client population.
11. Participates in quality improvement activities related to mental health services.
12. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

Education and Experience

Master's degree in an applicable social or health sciences program such as Counselling Psychology or other relevant discipline. Two (2) years recent, related counselling experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Eligible for membership/registration with a relevant professional association.

Valid B.C. drivers' license and possession of a personal vehicle for business use.

Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the needs and experiences of children and youth living with developmental disability/mental illness/challenging behaviours, their families and care-networks.
• Knowledge of the broad health system, community resources and volunteer agencies, and their roles and responsibilities in providing a continuum of care.
• Demonstrated clinical skills in individual and group psychotherapeutic interventions suitable for youth living with developmental disability and/or challenging behaviours.
• Demonstrated skills in behavioural assessment and in implementing behavioural treatment programs.
• Demonstrated ability to teach and provide consultation to clients, their care-networks, and other health-care professionals.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, coordinate and deliver in-services, presentations, workshops, and psycho-educational groups.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively utilizing an interdisciplinary team model.
• Excellent data collection skills.
• Effective presentation and public speaking skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to keep abreast of research relevant to the field.
• Ability to operate related equipment, including computer software.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.