Substance Use Clinician, Indigenous Health - Bachelors

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.

If you are someone who is looking for a challenge that is equally as rewarding, then this might be the opportunity for you. We hire great people for excellent jobs and need your help to expand our ability to deliver prompt and professional services. We are currently looking for a Casual Substance Use Clinician – Indigenous Health to join our Integrated Homelessness Action Response Team (IHART). This is a chance to make a difference every day in the world of health care as you to bring your excellent work ethic to provide services in the Fraser South region of Langley, Surrey, Delta and White Rock, B.C.

The IHART (Integrated Homelessness Action Response Teams) provide integrated, coordinated health services to members of our population who have inadequate or unstable housing. Utilizing a hands-on and direct approach of meeting individuals where they are currently situated means that IHART connects with individuals who are unsheltered, in shelters, in homeless encampments, and/or supportive housing environments. IHART is comprised of multidisciplinary teams capable of responding to health, mental health, and substance use issues including health promotion and prevention. Teams will also support continuity of care by providing cohesive linkages to primary care, and Specialized Community Services Programs (SCSP) such as Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Teams and specialized care services focused on seniors. IHART addresses a broad spectrum of health care concerns, including new and chronic conditions, by enabling supportive wrap-around care for those greatest in need and who have, historically, had the least access to services due to inadequate or unstable housing.

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, ancestral and unceded territories of the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux Nations, and is home to six Métis Chartered Communities. 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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The Toxic Drug Response and Priority Populations (TDRPP) portfolio within the Fraser Health Authority encourages people with lived experience of substance use to apply to vacant positions within their portfolio. If you identify as an individual who has experience using the unregulated drug supply and would like assistance in navigating employment within the TDRPP portfolio please contact Erin Gibson, Manager Toxic Drug Response and Harm Reduction Fraser West, at erin.gibson@fraserhealth.ca. Thank you in advance for your interest in joining the amazing team within the TDRPP portfolio

As a member of the designated integrated Homeless Action Response Team (iHART), supports engagement, care coordination and system navigation across substance use & mental health services, local service areas, and regional and provincial services, with an emphasis on reducing barriers to enter/re-enter the system of care and facilitating timely treatment and rapid re-engagement of clients where appropriate and feasible. The Clinician provides focused support to Indigenous clients and their natural supports.

Provides culturally appropriate client and family-centered care through a trauma-informed approach and evidence-informed practice to Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals and families with and affected by serious and persistent mental disorders and alcohol and drug addictions. Working from a framework of cultural safety and humility, provides initial screening, client assessment, treatment recommendations and plans, determines referral needs, provides case management and follow-up support. Maintains 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. May develop and deliver in-services, presentations and training to clients, families and caregivers. Participates in process improvement activities and follows clinical and customer best practices. May be required to work at more than one location and/or on an outreach basis in order to assess and/or engage with clients within their own environment and community.

1. Performs initial screening of referrals of individuals with a focus on those who identify as Indigenous from other health care providers/agencies, family members, physicians and other sources to determine appropriate treatment based on client needs, urgency of request and best practices.


2. Supports the intake process and assesses client needs by gathering client information/history via phone interviews or other methods; seeking additional background information to perform initial assessment of client mental health and substance use status and risk to themselves or others and to determine priority of care, client eligibility, availability of resources, service priorities and type of level of care required; collaborating with the interdisciplinary team to determine best approach to care, and assessing the need for emergent crisis intervention.


3. Provides individual, group, and family support using a variety of interviewing, supportive counseling, and assessment methods. Shares responsibility amongst the team for distributed workload to manage cases, formulate recovery plans and goals, crisis intervention, assist with home visits, run groups, and outreach to clients as required.


4. Provides first level intervention and support until formal treatment or further assessment can be conducted, such as short-term brief interventions, follow-up, monitoring, and evaluating treatment outcomes.


5. Provides treatment/support and case management for complex situations including people in crisis through provision of services such as delivery of individual and group therapy to clients and families; developing and implementing recovery-oriented treatment options and plans through collaboration with clients and natural supports; providing comprehensive case consultation and follow-up support on treatment decisions in collaboration with other interdisciplinary team members.


6. Facilitates client utilization of appropriate community services and rehabilitative programs through methods such as considering the client's motivation and their stage in the treatment process, researching available services, liaising with service and program providers, providing advice and consultation to colleagues, and/or referring to other community resources as required.


7. Provides referrals to appropriate community treatment alternatives and services, including residential programs, family therapy, marital and separation counselling, alcohol and drug treatment, victim assistance, employee assistance programs, clubhouses, transition homes, vocational programs, and other agencies. Utilizes available community resources such as volunteers, community groups, alternate care services and other service agencies to develop supportive and rehabilitative programs for clients and their families.


8. Advocates on behalf of clients, 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.


9. Provides short-term counseling to clients and families and provides information and guidance to other caregivers, health providers and the public regarding the assigned program services, intake policies, procedures and processes, availability of Community Health Services, Mental Health & Substance Use Services and/or Integrated Response Teams.


10. Maintains client records by recording information such as client assessments, charting client information via PARIS and/or other clinical information systems, preparing progress notes and reports in accordance with established standards, policies and procedures to meet regulatory requirements, documenting for future reference and ensuring that access to and disclosure of information and records are in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act.


11. Carries out responsibilities in accordance with health and safety requirements. Immediately reports unsafe situations by notifying supervisor or other appropriate personnel.


12. Develops linkages with other facilities and community resources, and advocates on behalf of the client and others to improve access, integration and coordination of mental health services, by way of establishing, maintaining and enhancing relationships/communication with community physicians, consulting psychiatrists, colleagues, community mental health services, acute hospitals, community services agencies, and other healthcare professionals.


13. Maintains relevant data and statistics on information such as intakes, requests, referrals in/out, priority, sources and nature of requests, and provides input to Coordinator and Manager.


14. Participates in quality improvement and risk management activities for assigned area by participating in quality initiatives, providing feedback to the Clinical Coordinator about needs and gaps in programs and services and suggesting solutions and initiatives to assist in the development and maintenance of a coordinated mental health & substance use care system within the community.


15. Participates actively and collaboratively in team planning, team meetings, committees, and/or corporate initiatives through discussions, presenting relevant material, acting as an advocate for the goals and objectives of the program, and promoting optimal support for clients, families and caregivers.


16. Participates in ongoing education to maintain current and relevant practice, including clinical education, as well as maintaining current knowledge of relevant Indigenous mental health and substance use disorders, of Federal and Provincial legislation and of amendments that impact mental health & substance use client care and service delivery.


17. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Clinical Counselling, Counselling Psychology or other relevant related discipline. Two (2) years' recent, related experience 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 of Indigenous health approaches, protocol and cultural issues.

Eligible for registration with applicable professional association or regulatory body.

Valid B.C. Driver's License and access to a personal vehicle for work-related purposes.

• Demonstrated knowledge of harm reduction, trauma-informed, recovery-oriented approach; concurrent disorders; addictions and addictions counselling.


• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Indigenous cultural practices and beliefs, including awareness of traditional healing practices such as drumming, singing and smudge ceremonies.


• Demonstrated client assessment and case management skills.


• Knowledge of how Indigenous culture impacts the development of individuals and communities. Familiarity with residential school issues and the effects on First Nations people.


• Demonstrated ability to develop consultative relationships with health professionals, counsellors, traditional healers and Elders.


• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, including with Indigenous partners and First Nations communities.


• Demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of relevant Acts such as Mental Health Act, Freedom of Information Act, pertinent regulations, policies and procedures, and other statutory duties.


• 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.


• In-depth knowledge of community resources and strong collaborative skills in working with other community partners to inform the referral process.


• Ability to work effectively with individuals, groups, and interdisciplinary professionals through understanding the frameworks of other disciplines.


• Demonstrated ability to assess, plan, organize, implement, evaluate and problem-solve, and organize and prioritize workload in a complex environment.


• Ability to deliver culturally sensitive services to Indigenous populations.


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


• Proficiency in the use of personal computers, including related word processing and database management software applications.


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