Job Summary

Join Our Team as a Clinician for Community Mental Health & Substance Use! We’re looking for dedicated professionals to join our dynamic team as a Clinician for Community Mental Health. This position highlights that First Nations, Inuit, Métis ancestry is regarded as directly relevant to the skills and knowledge for excellence in this position, as the position influences decisions that directly impact the Indigenous community.

Salary The salary range for this position is CAD $42.27 - $52.81 / hour

What We're Looking For

- Qualifications: Master’s degree in Social Work, Clinical Counselling or other relevant health related discipline.
- Experience: At least two (2) years' recent, related experience in a community or hospital psychiatric setting, or in a rapid response crisis stabilization function, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience will also be considered.

To learn more about our MHSU programs and services, read employee insights, and current job vacancies, please visit Fraser Health MHSU.

Detailed Overview

The Substance Use Clinician, Indigenous Health supports care coordination and system navigation across substance use services, local service areas, and regional and provincial services, with an emphasis on reducing barriers to re-enter the system of care and facilitating timely treatment and rapid re-engagement of clients where appropriate and feasible. It 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 alcohol and drug addictions, and with or without mental disorders. Working from a framework of cultural safety and humility, and as a clinician in a shared-team model, it provides initial screening, intake, client assessment, treatment recommendations and plans, determines referral needs, follow-up support, provides therapy including group therapy, liaises regarding complex situations, provides group education, liaison with community resources for specialized services, counsels clients, and provides outreach as required. May be assigned as the “most responsible clinician” to specific clients dependent on their primary needs.

Responsibilities





- Performs initial screening of referrals of individuals with a focus on those who identify as Indigenous from other health care providers/agencies to determine appropriate treatment based on client needs, urgency of request and best practices.
- Assesses client needs by gathering client information/history via interviews; conducts initial assessment of mental health status and risk, determines priority of care, eligibility, resources, and service priorities; collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to determine best approach to care.
- 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.
- Provides short-term treatment/support and case management for complex situations including people in crisis; delivers individual and group therapy; develops recovery-oriented treatment options and plans; provides case consultation and follow-up support in collaboration with other team members.
- Facilitates client utilization of appropriate community services and rehabilitative programs; liaises with service and program providers; refers to other community resources as required.
- Provides referrals to appropriate community treatment alternatives and services; utilizes available community resources to develop supportive and rehabilitative programs for clients and families.
- Provides culturally appropriate education to clients, exploring problems that may have resulted in substance use and mental health symptoms; identifies goals, supports resources, and teaches relapse prevention strategies.
- Provides short-term counseling to clients and families and provides information to other caregivers and the public regarding services, intake policies, procedures and processes.
- Maintains client records by recording assessments and progress notes in clinical information systems; ensures confidentiality and compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Collaborates with community physicians, psychiatrists, colleagues, and other professionals to improve access, integration and coordination of services.




- Maintains current knowledge of Indigenous mental health and substance use disorders practices through ongoing professional development.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education, Training and Experience

Master’s Degree in an applicable social or health sciences program such as Counselling Psychology or Social Work. 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 relevant skilled association. Valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle for work-related purposes.

Skills And Abilities

- Harm reduction, trauma-informed, recovery-oriented approach; concurrent disorders; addictions and addictions counselling.
- Knowledge of relevant Acts, regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Understanding of Indigenous cultural practices and beliefs, including awareness of traditional healing practices.
- Knowledge of psychiatric diagnosis and clinical practice guidelines for treatment of various disorders.
- Knowledge of clinical counselling/social work principles as applied to Indigenous populations.
- Ability to develop consultative relationships with health professionals and Indigenous partners.
- Ability to work with individuals, groups, and interdisciplinary teams; strong communication skills.
- Ability to assess, plan, organize, implement, evaluate and problem-solve; manage workload in a complex environment.
- Ability to deliver in-services, education, presentations, and group consultations to clients, families and healthcare professionals.
- Therapeutic skills in case management, individual and group therapy with adults with various mental disorders including concurrent disorders.
- Ability to deliver culturally sensitive services to Indigenous populations.
- Proficiency with computers and software used for documentation and virtual health services.
- Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.

About Fraser Health: Fraser Health is the heart of health care for over two million people in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley in British Columbia, Canada. We are committed to inclusive, equitable and culturally safe hiring practices.

📌 Substance Use Clinician, Indigenous Health (Surrey)
🏢 Fraser Health Authority
📍 Surrey