Primary Care Network Clinician - Indigenous

We invite you to apply today and find out why more than 95% of new employees recommend Fraser Health to their friends as an exceptional place to work. A 2022 BC Top Employer, we value diversity in the work force and seek to maintain an environment of Respect, Caring & Trust.

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Full Time Clinician to join the Primary Care and Community Health Networks team in the Fraser East region located in Chilliwack, B.C. For this position, we want to highlight that First Nations, Inuit, Metis ancestry is regarded as directly relevant to the skills and knowledge for excellence in the position. Pursuant to Section 41 of the British Columbia Human Rights Code, preference will be given to applicants of Aboriginal ancestry.

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 26th 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.

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As a member of the Mental Health & Substance Use Services (MH&SUS) Specialized Community Services Programs (SCSP) and Primary Care Networks (PCN), ensures local linkage between PCN and MH&SUS SCSP to individuals who identify as Indigenous to support mild to moderate mental health and/or substance use clients in a PCN, facilitate access to MH&SUS SCSP, and support transition of stable moderate to severe MH&SU SCSP clients to care of General Practitioners (GP) within PCN.

This position provides initial screening, assesses and determines referral needs, liaises with community resources, formulates and implements short-term engagement and treatment plans, provides short-term counselling, brief interventions and comprehensive case consultation and follow-up support in collaboration with the local PCN and MH&SUS teams. Provides advice, direction and advocacy for issues related to housing, food security and income. Develops, coordinates and delivers in-house services, presentations and training to staff. Supports the inclusion of family members/natural supports in treatment planning. Participates in the development and evaluation of PCN/MH&SUS Liaison program. Provides outreach as required.

1. Provides diagnostic client assessment and brief, short-term individual interventions/group therapy with a focus on those to identify as Indigenous, using a variety of interviewing, counselling, and assessment methods, in accordance with professional standards and clinical policies and practices. Coordinates cases and formulates treatment plans and goals within the PCN, in collaboration with appropriate MH&SUS staff, assigned agency staff, family members/natural supports and other services, as required. Uses crisis intervention and outreach as required.


2. Facilitates clients' utilization of appropriate community services and rehabilitative programs (such as alcohol and drug treatment, vocational programs, MH&SUS Specialized Community Services Programs, Primary Care Centres, clubhouses, transition homes, community groups) by performing duties such as researching available services, liaising with these agencies, providing related advice and consultation to clients and staff, and supporting self-management strategies for clients. Provides urgent response crisis stabilization and facilitates hospital admission when required.


3. Maintains client records and statistics, prepares reports, and completes forms as required, in accordance with regional policies and standards, including clinical record standards of MH&SUS. Obtains consent forms for release of client information.


4. Advocates on behalf of Indigenous clients and in support of families/natural supports to assist in access appropriate services related to housing, food security and income by providing clients with information about appeal processes, providing information about clients to relevant Ministries and assisting clients to complete forms; acts as a resource for clients and their families.


5. Provides culturally appropriate education to clients, families/natural supports and staff and other agencies regarding community mental health and substance use resources, programs and issues.


6. Participates in quality improvement and risk management activities for assigned area by performing duties such as participating in quality initiatives, providing feedback to the Coordinator about needs and gaps in programs and services, and suggesting solutions to improve the linkage and collaboration between Mental Health and Substance Use Services and Primary Care Networks. Participates in ongoing education to maintain current and relevant practice, including culturally appropriate clinical education, as well as maintaining current knowledge of relevant Federal and Provincial legislation and amendments that impact mental health and substance use care and service delivery.


7. Participates as a member of both the Mental Health & Substance Use Services team and Primary Care Network to provide and receive information as a representative of the team, as required. Informs staff, community groups, and agencies of the role and function of both teams by providing information formally during in-services.


8. Participates in clinical research and program evaluation activities relevant to the needs of clients, families, Community Mental Health and Substance Use Services, Primary Care Network and the community, by providing information as requested.


9. Maintains knowledge of mental health and substance use as it relates to concurrent disorders through methods such as reviewing literature and research, consulting with clinical and community experts within the field, evaluating clinical practice and participating in professional development activities in order to improve care through new practices. 


10. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Master's degree in Social Work, Clinical Counselling or other relevant health related discipline. Eligible for registration with appropriate professional association.

Two (2) years' recent, related experience in a community or hospital psychiatry setting working with clients and families with, or affected by, mental illness and substance use disorders, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Knowledge and understanding of Indigenous cultural practices and beliefs; awareness of traditional indigenous health approaches, protocols and healing practices such as drumming, singing and smudge ceremonies, and an understanding of cultural issues.

Valid B.C. Driver's license and access to own vehicle with appropriate business coverage.

• Comprehensive applied knowledge of counselling techniques including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and other psychotherapeutic techniques.


• Demonstrated client assessment and case consultation skills.


• Knowledge of principles, practices and theories of clinical counselling/social work as applied to indigenous populations. Ability to deliver culturally sensitive services to Indigenous populations.   


• Knowledge of how indigenous culture impacts the development of individuals and communities. 


• Demonstrated knowledge of mental health disorders and concurrent disorders.


• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the field of alcohol and drug misuse.


• Demonstrated ability to undertake client assessments utilizing mental health and substance use standardized tools.


• Comprehensive knowledge of emergency triage procedures, mental health status assessment, counselling principles and interview techniques.


• Working knowledge of psychopharmacology, crisis theory, and de-escalation techniques.


• Working knowledge of DSM V Multiaxial Diagnosis or International Classification of Diseases 10.


• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing, including empathic and respectful communication appropriate to the situation.


• Good interpersonal skills, including the ability to get along well with clients, families, and members of the interdisciplinary team, and including the ability to effectively network with other services and agencies.


• Ability to set priorities, organize work to effectively manage a demanding workload, and exercise sound judgment, both clinically and non-clinically.


• Ability to work effectively and to flexibly manage changing workload needs under pressure, and during times of change.


• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, while seeking the appropriate level of consultation and approval from the Coordinator.


• Ability to maintain appropriate confidentiality in accordance with applicable regional policies.


• Ability to learn new methodologies, ideas, and concepts.


• Demonstrated ability to teach and facilitate learning of staff and/or clients/families.


• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership and work direction in a coaching/mentoring role.


• Ability to provide effective and efficient service, while meeting clinical and administrative government and health region policies, standards, and protocol requirements.


• Knowledge of indigenous and community resources and methods of accessing them.


• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.