Indigenous Cultural Youth Care Worker

Vancouver Coastal Health; Squamish; On-site; Full time

Job summary

Vancouver Coastal Health is seeking an Indigenous Cultural Youth Care Worker to provide support services to Indigenous youth facing mental health and substance use challenges. This role involves collaboration with Indigenous Elders and interdisciplinary teams to develop culturally relevant treatment plans, emphasizing health and wellbeing through a two-eyed seeing approach.

Benefits

Comprehensive health benefits, including MSP, extended health, dental, and pension

Career growth with training and leadership development

Wellness supports, including counseling and critical incident services

Award-winning recognition programs

Exclusive staff discounts

Qualifications

• At least two years of recent experience working with Indigenous youth experiencing mental health, substance use, and trauma issues.
• Valid BC Driver’s License and access to a personal vehicle.
• Preference for applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit.

Responsibilities

• Provide support services to clients within the Youth Mental Health & Substance Use program.
• Collaborate with Indigenous Elders to provide emotional and spiritual support.
• Facilitate access to community services/resources.

Skills

Knowledge of recovery principles in mental health and substance use

Ability to engage with Indigenous Peers, Elders, and Knowledge Keepers

Strong communication skills

Effective listening and problem-solving skills

Ability to work effectively with youth facing mental health/substance use issues

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Child and Youth Care or a related health discipline

Job description

Salary Details

The salary range for this position is CAD $42.27/Hr. - CAD $52.81/Hr.

Job Summary

Come work as an Indigenous Cultural Youth Care Worker at Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)! Vancouver Coastal Health is looking for an Indigenous Cultural Youth Care Worker to join the team in Squamish, BC. Apply today to join our team!

As an Indigenous Cultural Youth Care Worker with Vancouver Coastal Health, you will:

• Provide support services to designated clients within the Youth Mental Health & Substance Use program, acting as a bridge between Western medicine and Indigenous culture by providing treatment services to Indigenous youth with serious mental health and substance use issues, working from a two-eyed seeing approach with land-based interventions in collaboration with Indigenous Elders and the interdisciplinary team.
• Use a salutogenic approach focused on health and wellbeing to collaborate with the interdisciplinary team in developing, implementing, maintaining, and adjusting treatment plans, helping clients develop and achieve their goals.
• Collaborate with Indigenous Elders and/or traditional teachers to establish rapport with clients based on mutual respect, providing emotional and spiritual support by applying Indigenous traditions to daily living to assist with problem-solving.
• Provide care within an interdisciplinary model through trauma-informed practice, two-eyed seeing, harm reduction, and a recovery-oriented care approach.
• Assist clients in developing life skills and healthy lifestyles, participate in case planning, and work from a cultural perspective to identify needs, cultural and personal identity, and traditional practices that can serve as protective factors. Lead or co-lead social/cultural groups and activities.
• Work with the team to develop, implement, and adjust treatment plans, supporting clients in reaching their goals.
• Facilitate access to community services/resources by acting as an advocate and supporting transitions to community services.
• Participate in team care planning for Indigenous youth mental health and substance use prevention/early intervention strategies through case conferences and meetings.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Child and Youth Care or a related health discipline.
• At least two years of recent experience working with Indigenous youth experiencing mental health, substance use, and trauma issues in an interdisciplinary health setting, using cultural practices.
• Valid BC Driver’s License and access to a personal vehicle.
• Preference for applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of recovery principles in mental health and substance use.
• Understanding of colonial laws, policies, practices affecting Indigenous Peoples.
• Knowledge of salutogenic health and wellness approaches.
• Understanding of two-eyed seeing and decolonizing health approaches.
• Knowledge of Indigenous-specific interventions, ceremonial practices, and land-based healing.
• Understanding of youth behavioral, social, emotional, and mental health issues.
• Experience with trauma-informed practice, harm reduction, and recovery-oriented care models.
• Ability to engage with Indigenous Peers, Elders, and Knowledge Keepers.
• Ability to recognize risk indicators and understand client rights and obligations.
• Knowledge of community resources and health care disciplines.
• Understanding of child/youth development.
• Ability to work effectively with youth facing mental health/substance use issues.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written, with diverse audiences.
• Effective listening and problem-solving skills in a multidisciplinary setting.
• Ability to prioritize workload, work independently and in teams, and provide culturally safe care.
• Adaptability to new situations and high-stress environments, with conflict resolution skills.
• Proficiency with related software and equipment; physical ability to perform duties.

Closing Statement

The hours and work area may change based on operational needs and collective agreement provisions. Successful applicants may need to complete a Criminal Records Review Check. All health care workers must report their vaccine history per Ministry of Health policy. Applicants will need to provide this information during onboarding.

Why join Vancouver Coastal Health?

VCH is a leading innovator in medical care, research, and teaching, serving over one million BC residents. We foster bold thinking, risk-taking, and a commitment to the best patient outcomes. Join us in creating healthy lives and communities, emphasizing care, community connection, and teamwork.

• Comprehensive health benefits, including MSP, extended health, dental, and pension.
• Career growth with training and leadership development.
• Wellness supports, including counseling and critical incident services.
• Award-winning recognition programs.
• Exclusive staff discounts.

We value diversity, equity, and inclusion, encouraging applications from Indigenous Peoples, racialized groups, people with disabilities, and all gender identities and sexual orientations. Vancouver Coastal Health was recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers in 2024. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Employees must apply via the Internal Career Portal on CareerHub. For application instructions, visit https://my.vch.ca/working-here/job-postings. Current employees applying externally will be considered as external candidates, with no seniority benefits.