JobSummary

Working as part of the interdisciplinary VNFC Wellness and HealthTeam and reporting directly to Wellness and Health Team Manager, the MentalHealth and Substance Use Support Worker walks alongside community in theiroverall wellness and health journey by supporting individuals in addressingmentalhealthandsubstanceuseproblems.TheSupportWorkerprovidesservicestoIndigenouspeoples in the Victoria area includingMétis, Inuit, Status and non-Status First Nations.

RolesandResponsibilities

- Workfromatraumainformedlenswithcommunitymembersandtheirinterdisciplinarycare team,toprovideonetoonesupportformentalhealthandsubstanceuseissuesandongoingsupport in all stages of change.
- Work with community members to provide screening and assessment to determine their needs,readiness for treatment, and an individualized care plan developed inpartnership with the person.
- Coordinate and facilitate Wellness and Recovery Support groups.
- Work independently with individuals and families or other groups, providing them with education,support, assistance, referrals to access appropriate health and wellnessservices such as treatment centres (as appropriate), and provide follow-upsupport.
- Utilize and facilitate access to traditional Indigenous helping and healing practices where appropriate.
- Provide education about substance use and mental health issues to community members and theirfamilies, as appropriate.
- Connect and collaborate with appropriate referral sources, professionals, and identified support systems.
- Develop and carry out appropriate service plans, monitoring progress and adapting service plans as needed, from a trauma informed and person-centred approach.
- Maintain confidentiality.





AsamemberoftheVNFCTeam,jobdutiesincludethefollowing:

- Document and report activity in alignment with VNFC practices and support internal and external reporting asrequired including maintaining accurate case management, file recording andmonthly reporting systems.
- Attend relevant skilled training and meetings when directed.
- Participateinstaffdevelopment,staffmeetingsanddepartmentmeetingsasrequired.
- Participate in data collection and evaluation tasks as requested.

Knowledgeand Skills

- FamiliarityandexperienceinIndigenousCommunities
- In depth knowledge of theexperience of Indigenous peoples in Canada including the ongoing processesofcolonization,discrimination,andstructuralviolence,andtheeffectsonthehealth and wellbeing of Indigenous communities.
- Some knowledge of Indigenouscultures and practices including from the territory in which the workofVNFCtakesplace.Abilitytospeakaboutone’sownIndigenousculture,ifapplicable,and any communities the (prospective)employee has previously lived in or held jobs within.
- Knowledgeandpracticeofprovidingcommunity-basedservicestoIndigenouspeoplesusingphilosophies of cultural humility and cultural safety.
- Communication Skills and Abilities
- Excellentinterpersonalcommunicationskillswiththeabilitytosuccessfullydevelopandmaintain relationshipswith diverse internal and external stakeholders.




- Excellent written communicationskills with the ability to independently write reports, presentations,electroniccorrespondence,andotherformsofprofessionalcommunication.
- Ability to effectivelypresentinformationandrespondtoquestionsfromclientsandthegeneral public.
- Ability to read,process,and integrate findings into practice from a range of resources including peer-reviewed literature, governmental reports, case notes,letters, memos etc..
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office365 including Word,Excel, and Outlookarequirement.Leadership Skills and Abilities
- Ability to work independently and be part of an integrated community team and in partnership with a variety of agencies.
- Ability to multi-task while remaining composed and maintaining a professional attitude in high stress situations.
- Proven ability to work independentlyand be part of an integrated community teamandin partnership with a variety oforganizations.
- Program Knowledge and Abilities
- Familiar with program planning, developmentand evaluation.
- Aware of the dynamics of active and ongoing substance use, sexualabuse,familyviolence, child abuseand neglect, grief, suicide, depression, healing and recovery.
- Ability to practice using philosophies of cultural safety and humility, harmreduction, and trauma informed care.
- Knowledge and ability to work ethically and maintain professional boundaries when working with vulnerable clients.
- Asound knowledge of the local Indigenous and mainstream community and services/resources.
- Provencapacity to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds with a range of complex mental health and substance use issues.
- Demonstrated

📌 Mental Health and Substance Use Support Worker (Victoria)
🏢 Victoria Native Friendship Centre
📍 Victoria