EPI Group and Family Therapist, Masters - Abbotsford

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Reporting to the Clinical Coordinator, the EPI Group and Family Therapist, as part of a multi-disciplinary team, provides comprehensive group psychoeducation and group therapy services to clients and families in the designated areas of the EPI Program. Provides education, consultation, and intervention to families and caregivers of clients receiving services from the EPI Program; family intervention includes assessment, short-term treatment, consultation, and follow up services to these families and caregivers. Formulates and implements family intervention plans in collaboration with members of the EPI Central Team and community EPI Clinicians working with the client. Educates and provides consultation to clients, families and healthcare professionals regarding early psychosis and group and family therapy. Conducts intakes and assessments as required. Delivers in-services and presentations, and initiates, develops and carries out evaluation and research activities in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team.

1. Ongoing development of the group intervention component of the EPI Program in collaboration with the EPI Central Team. Provides comprehensive group psychoeducation and group therapy services to clients and families in the EPI 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 psychosis and other issues. Participates with clients, families, community supports and multi-disciplinary 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 psychosis 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 early psychosis.
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. Collaborates with other relevant organizations such as B.C. Schizophrenia Society and Canadian Mental Health Association.
7. Acts as a resource to clients and their families by performing duties such as providing information for clients and families regarding mental health resources and access to these resources, suggesting contacts to facilitate optimal planning, arranging referrals and facilitating the development of mental health resources to support the wellbeing of clients and families.
8. Conducts intake of referrals into the EPI Program from hospitals, mental health centres and the community; provides comprehensive mental health assessments, outreach and referrals for treatment by methods such as conducting mental status exams and assessing for psychosis in less intrusive settings, such as the school or home when necessary, facilitating psychiatric assessments as needed, and providing support and education to families during the assessment process.
9. Develops and delivers in-services, presentations, and/or training related to psychosis, group intervention, and family therapy by methods such as collaborating with members of the multi-disciplinary team, determining relevant content and required audiovisual/handout aids, conducting literature searches and planning and coordinating seminars.
10. 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 care system and reduce service gaps.
11. 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.
12. 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 multi-disciplinary 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.
13. Maintains broad development in the profession by methods such as reviewing literature in the areas of group and family therapy and psychosis, 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.
14. 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 early psychosis, 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 mental health psychiatric assessment and case management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to educate and provide consultation to clients, families and healthcare professionals regarding psychosis 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.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of pharmacological issues related to the identified population served by this program.
• 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 resources and strong collaborative skills in working with mental health and social agency personnel.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively as a member of an multi-disciplinary team and to understand the frameworks of other disciplines.
• 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.