Short Term Assessment Response Team (START) Group & Family Therapist - Mental Health & Substance Use Services - Abbotsford

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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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Reporting to the Clinical Coordinator and as part of a team-based program, the Short Term Assessment Response Treatment (START) Group and Family Therapist provides comprehensive group psychoeducation and group therapy services to clients and their families, focusing on mental health and substance use services in designated areas of the START program. With an emphasis on cultural safety and humility, provides services to families and caregivers such as education, consultation, and intervention; family intervention including assessment, short-term treatment, consultation; and, follow-up services. Formulates and implements family intervention plans in collaboration with members of the START and Youth Concurrent Disorders Clinicians (Youth Therapists) working with the client. Educates and provides consultation to clients, families and healthcare professionals regarding Mental Health and Substance Use and group and family therapy. Delivers in-services and presentations, and initiates, develops and carries out evaluation and research activities in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team. 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 preferred environment and community.

1. Ongoing development of the group intervention component of the START Program in collaboration with the START Team. Provides comprehensive group psychoeducation and group therapy services to clients and families in the START Program. Uses methods such as psychosocial and mental status assessments to identify problems and treatment objectives, and to facilitate change in coping style, behaviour, attitude and feelings as it relates to mental health and substance use issues. Participates with clients, families, community supports and treatment teams to coordinate services.
2. Works with families and caregivers of clients by providing education, assessment, short-term family therapy, and multi-family group therapy services in a team context, in order to facilitate improvement in clients and families/caregivers as it relates to Mental Health and Substance Use and other developmental and system issues.
3. Provides follow-up and ongoing monitoring of complex psychosocial situations and makes referrals to other services when required.
4. Educates and provides consultation to clients, families and healthcare professionals on issues related to high risk factors, recovery and evidence-based practice relevant to a crisis.
5. Maintains client records by methods such as charting client information, preparing progress notes and reports in accordance with established standards, policies and procedures to meet regulatory requirements and documenting for future reference.
6. Communicates with hospitals, community health and social agencies including government ministries.
7. Acts as a resource to clients and their families by performing duties such as providing information for clients and families regarding mental health and substance use resources and access to these resources, suggesting contacts to facilitate optimal planning, arranging referrals and facilitating the development of mental health and substance use resources to support the well-being of clients and families.
8. Develops and delivers in-services, presentations, and/or training related to specific various mental health and substance use concerns, group intervention, and family therapy by methods such as collaborating with members of the team, determining relevant content and required audiovisual/handout aids, conducting literature searches and planning and coordinating seminars.
9. Participates as a member of local committees and planning bodies by methods such as engaging in program evaluation, identifying opportunities for change, assessing available resources, initiating solutions, analyzing outcomes and identifying areas for improved efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery to enhance the mental health and substance use care system and reduce service gaps.
10. Maintains a variety of records such as workload statistics by methods such as recording information into approved formats, collating data, analyzing trends, accounting for variances, preparing reports as required and recommending an action plan to the Program Coordinator.
11. Initiates, develops and carries out program evaluation, clinical research activities and program planning and development relevant to the needs of the client, families, and community in collaboration with the team by methods such as identifying current trends/gaps in literature, collecting data, and writing research proposals. Follows through with research methodology, disseminates research findings and ensures clinical practices and protocols are consistent with research findings.
12. Maintains broad development in the profession by methods such as reviewing literature in the areas of group and family therapy and mental health and substance use, consulting with clinical and research experts within the field, evaluating clinical practice and participating in professional development activities in order to improve care through new practices.
13. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

Masters Degree in Social Work, Clinical Counselling, or other relevant health related discipline. One year's recent experience in acute or community psychiatry, and two years' recent experience in group therapy and family therapy, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Eligible for registration with relevant professional association.

Valid B.C. Driver's License and access to own vehicle.

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated comprehensive knowledge and understanding of mental illness, particularly anxiety, depression, and substance use, and a variety of treatment modalities, including group psychotherapy and family interventions.
• Demonstrated comprehensive psychotherapy skills including supportive and cognitive behavioural interventions applicable to individuals, families and groups, adults and adolescents.
• Demonstrated ability to educate and provide consultation to clients, families and healthcare professionals regarding mental health and substance use, and group and family therapy.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, coordinate and deliver psychoeducation and therapy groups, in-services, and presentations.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the field of alcohol and drug misuse.
• Knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal cultural practices and beliefs with reference to mental health status.
• Ability to promote person-centered care that demonstrates empathy for clients/families/care givers, sensitivity to diverse cultures and preferences, and includes advocacy for special populations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the developmental stages of an individual within the family life cycle and the related psychosocial issues that may occur.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the broad range of issues pertaining to adolescent mental health.
• Demonstrated ability to make effective referrals, reflecting in-depth knowledge of mental health and substance use resources and strong collaborative skills in working with mental health and substance use and social agency personnel.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively as a member of a team.
• Demonstrated ability to initiate, develop and carry out evaluation and research activities.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with clients, families, staff members, and community agency personnel.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize workload in a complex environment.
• Demonstrated ability to operate related equipment; for example, working knowledge of computer programs such as word processing, email and database.
• Demonstrated physical and mental ability to carry out the duties of the position.