Indigenous Social Worker, MHSU

Fraser Health; Surrey; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A health care provider in Surrey, B.C. is seeking a Part Time Indigenous Social Worker to provide culturally appropriate counseling and support to Indigenous clients. The successful candidate will have a Bachelor's in Social Work, relevant experience in mental health, and understanding of Indigenous health protocols. This role involves collaborating with health teams and advocating for client needs. The position offers a competitive salary of CAD $42.27 – $52.81 per hour and values diversity in the workplace.

Benefits

Comprehensive health benefits coverage

Qualifications

• Minimum two years of social work experience in mental health.
• Experience working with Indigenous communities.
• Knowledge of Indigenous health approaches and cultural protocols.

Responsibilities

• Provide social work services to clients and families.
• Assess client needs to determine priority of care.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams for client support.
• Develop recovery-oriented care plans with clients.
• Advocate on behalf of clients and navigate health systems.

Skills

Client assessment skills

Knowledge of DSM V

Understanding of mental health issues in Indigenous communities

Effective communication

Consultation abilities

Teaching skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work

Full registration with the BC College of Social Workers

Job description

Salary

The salary range for this position is CAD $42.27 – $52.81 / hour.

Job Summary

We are hiring a Part Time Indigenous Social Worker, MHSU to join our team in Surrey B.C.

We invite you to apply today and find out why employees recommend Fraser Health to their friends as an exceptional place to work. We are committed to planetary health, we value diversity in the workforce and seek to maintain an environment of Respect, Caring and Trust.

A career with Fraser Health will offer you the opportunity to be a part of a dedicated team of professionals in a dynamic and rewarding health care environment. We offer a competitive compensation and benefit package, including comprehensive health benefits coverage.

Fraser Health Authority values diversity within the workplace. For this position, we also want to highlight that First Nations, Inuit, Metis or Aboriginal ancestry is regarded as directly relevant to the skills and knowledge for excellence in the position. Pursuant to Section 41 of the British Columbia Human Rights Code, preference will be given to applicants of Aboriginal Ancestry.

Important to know

Before we can finalize any offer of employment, you must: Confirm you are legally entitled to work in Canada.

Take the next step and apply so we can continue the conversation with you.

Detailed Overview

Reporting to the Coordinator or designate, the Indigenous Social Worker participates as a member of an interprofessional team in a variety of settings. Within the context of an Indigenous health care perspective, provides culturally appropriate counselling and support services to First Nations, Métis and Inuit clients. Plans, organizes, and evaluates clinical and psychosocial health care needs and services for Indigenous clients involving assessments, health teaching to clients, support, consultation, liaison, and referral to appropriate services. The Indigenous Social Worker collaborates with other programs across Fraser Health as well as Indigenous partner organizations such as First Nations Health Authority and Métis Nation BC. This position will facilitate connections between Indigenous clients and service providers to enhance access to Fraser Health and traditional wellness services, with a culturally appropriate approach. May provide care to clients through a combination of in-person (home/residence), outreach in the community, telephone, virtual video/audio conference and/or remote technology.

Responsibilities

1. Provide social work services for clients, families, service providers, and community agencies to enhance service delivery through consultation, development of a recovery care plan and forwarding necessary information to appropriate community services/agencies.
2. Support the intake process and periods of transition, such as discharge from hospital. Assess client needs by gathering client information/history; seeking additional background information to perform assessments of client mental health status and risk and to determine priority of care, client eligibility, availability of resources, service priorities and type/level of care required; collaborating with the interdisciplinary team to determine best approach to care.
3. Participate in an interprofessional team, bridging Indigenous Health and Mental Health and Substance Use, referring Indigenous clients to appropriate services, as eligible.
4. Develop and implement recovery-oriented care plans in collaboration with clients, other service providers and natural supports; provide comprehensive case consultation and follow-up support on treatment decisions in collaboration with other interdisciplinary team members; support the development/maintenance of abilities related to activities of daily living and transition of care. Update the Coordinator on the status of client treatment and progress, as well as significant and unusual issues, developments, and circumstances.
5. Encourage informed decision-making, personal growth and learning, empowering the client to improve their quality of life.
6. Act as the point of contact to assist with health system navigation and liaise with programs and services across Fraser Health as well as community partners.
7. Advocate on behalf of clients, by providing clients with information about appeal processes, liaises with relevant Ministries and assisting clients to complete forms, act as a resource in system navigation to clients and their families.
8. Willingness to share cultural teachings and worldviews with team and other colleagues. Provide information on social and health services available in the community for Indigenous people. Participate in committees that integrate Indigenous Health and community programs by providing input and addressing Indigenous Health issues.
9. Provide information, interpretation and guidance to general public, agencies, Boards, etc. on Acts and Regulations applicable to social work practices and functions.
10. Review and adapt relevant information material.
11. Participate in ongoing education to maintain current and relevant practice, including clinical education, as well as maintaining current knowledge of Federal and Provincial legislation and amendments that impact mental health and substance use client care and service delivery.
12. Provide follow-up care and services as required, including providing referrals to other healthcare professionals, such as Vocational Counsellors, Recreational Therapists, Occupational Therapists and Psychiatrists.
13. Provide orientation, guidance, and collegial information or demonstration of equipment or work methods and processes to others including peers, new staff, and students. Provide instruction and/or supervision to students; evaluate and provide feedback on student progress. May provide work direction to support staff.
14. Maintain related records, documentation and statistics. Prepare reports as required, and in accordance with established standards and procedures.
15. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education, Training & Experience

Minimum bachelor’s degree in Social Work from an accredited School of Social Work with two (2) years’ recent, related social work experience in a mental health setting, hospital or community, including one year of experience working with Indigenous people or communities.

Current full registration with the BC College of Social Workers.

Lived experience and/or knowledge of Indigenous health approaches, cultural protocols, historical and contemporary issues and impacting health outcomes.

Valid BC Driver’s Licence and access to personal vehicle for business related purposes.

Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated client assessment and case management skills.
• Working knowledge of DSM V Multiaxial Diagnosis.
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of emotional, mental health and contemporary social issues relative to Indigenous communities.
• Ability to provide consultation to patients, families and healthcare professionals.
• Ability to make effective referrals, reflecting in-depth knowledge of community resources and strong collaborative skills in working with hospital, community, MHSU and health and social agency personnel.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and theories of Social Work/Clinical Counselling as applied to Indigenous populations.
• Ability to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate.
• Ability to organize and problem solve.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, while seeking the appropriate level of consultation and approval from the Coordinator.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated teaching skills.
• Ability to deal effectively with individuals, groups, and other professionals within an interprofessional environment in a diverse community.
• Ability to prioritize workload, keep accurate records and write reports.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Indigenous culture and community resources and agencies.
• Ability to deliver culturally safe and respectful services to Indigenous populations.
• Knowledge of Indigenous perspectives of health and wellness, cultural practices and protocols.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
• Ability to operate related equipment, including personal computers and related software.

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, on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux Nations and is home to 32 First Nations within the Fraser Salish region. People - those we care for and those who care for them - are at the heart of everything we do. Our hospital and community-based services are delivered by a team of 50,000+ staff, medical staff and volunteers.

We are committed to planetary health and value diversity in the workforce. We strive to maintain an environment of respect, caring and trust. Fraser Health’s hiring practices aspire to ensure all individuals are treated in an inclusive, equitable and culturally safe manner.

Together, we are the heart of health care.