Indigenous Youth Mental Health Counsellor (Master's Degree)

Vancouver Coastal Health; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health organization seeks an Indigenous Mental Health Counsellor to join the Youth Outreach Mental Health team in Vancouver. The role involves providing mental health support to Aboriginal youth, collaborating with community services, and maintaining client records. Candidates should possess a Master's degree and experience working with Indigenous youth. Join us to make a difference in the community.

Benefits

Comprehensive health benefits

Employer-paid training

Wellness supports

Recognition programs

Exclusive discounts for staff

Qualifications

• Master's Degree required, with experience in Indigenous youth mental health.
• Valid BC Driver’s License is essential.
• Strong understanding of intergenerational impacts of the residential school system.

Responsibilities

• Provide culturally appropriate mental health counselling to Aboriginal youth.
• Collaborate with community organizations for resource integration.
• Maintain knowledge on mental health legislation and policies.

Skills

Communication skills

Knowledge of Indigenous cultures

Problem-solving abilities

Psychoeducation skills

Listening skills

Ability to operate equipment

Education

Masters Degree in a regulated health science discipline

Registration with Provincial licensing body

Tools

Computer literacy

Job description

Come work as an Indigenous Mental Health Counsellor, Youth Development, with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)!
Vancouver Coastal Health is looking for an Indigenous Mental Health Counsellor, Youth Development, to join the Youth Outreach Mental Health team in Vancouver, BC. Apply today to join our team!

As an Indigenous Mental Health Counsellor, you will:

• Work as part of a community interdisciplinary team to provide culturally appropriate mental health counselling, support and information services with Aboriginal youth and their families utilizing a health promotion model and traditional Aboriginal care practices and approaches, as appropriate.
• Establish, maintain and enhance relationships based on respect and understanding with Aboriginal youth and their family, and provides mental health triage, intervention and referral services to Aboriginal youth and their families (as needs of individual youth require) to ensure continuity of care Collaborates, consults and builds linkages with organizations/agencies and services providers for the coordination and integration of Aboriginal youth focused mental health services, prepares education material and tools, and co-facilitates education sessions.
• Participate in continuing education, prepares and maintain client records, maintain knowledge in mental health issues, and participates in quality improvement activities.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Masters Degree in a regulated health science discipline such as Social Work or Clinical Counselling.
• Three (3) year’s recent related experience with the Indigenous community working with Indigenous youth in a mental health setting, or an equivalent combination of training, education and experience.
• Valid BC Driver’s License. Local area travel may require the use of a personal vehicle.
• Registration with Provincial licensing/governing body of profession if applicable.

Knowledge & Abilities

• Broad knowledge of children and youth mental health resources and other children and youth community service providers.
• Strong understanding of Indigenous cultures and a broad-based knowledge of Indigenous heling modalities, practices, and ceremonies.
• Broad-based Knowledge of the family and social issues facing Indigenous youth today, including the intergenerational impacts of the residential school system.
• Broad-based knowledge of youth resources in Vancovuer, including Indigenous health , social and community services.>
• Broad knowledge of the normal growth and development of children and youth.
• Broad knowledge of psychoeducation and counselling skills.
• Broad knowledge of mental illness and treatment, substance abuse and addictions treatment.
• Broad knowledge of legislation and government policies and procedures that relate to the client.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with Indigenous children and youth, and their families, educational personnel, Indigenous service providers, colleagues, physician, and other health care staff, both one-on-one and in groups.
• Demonstrated listening and information seeking skills that promotes communication and lead to a co-operative approach to problem solving within a multidisciplinary setting.
• Demonstrated ability to provide psychoeducation, intervention, family sessions, and parent groups that is sensitive to Indigenous culture.
• Demonstrated ability to establish workload priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to adjust to new or unexpected events.
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve.
• Demonstrated ability to deal effectively with conflict situations.
• Ability to operate related equipment.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
• Basic computer literacy to operate a computerized client care information system and word processing, spreadsheet, Internet and e‑mail software.

Closing Statement

The hours of work including days off and work area may be subject to change consistent with operational requirements and the provision of the Collective Agreement and applicable statutes. Successful applicants may be required to complete a Criminal Records Review Check.

As per Ministry of Health policy, all health care workers working in publicly-funded health care facilities are required to report their past receipt of certain vaccines or history of certain infections. Collecting these records will allow for offering of any missing vaccines, and for appropriate actions to be taken in the event of any future exposure to a communicable disease or during outbreaks. For all new hires and appointments to Vancouver Coastal Health, you will be asked to provide this information as part of the onboarding process.

WHY JOIN VANCOUVER COASTAL HEALTH?

VCH is a world class innovator in medical care, research and teaching, delivering service to more than one million BC residents. At VCH, we embrace thinking boldly, taking smart risks, and "going first" when we believe it will lead to the best possible outcomes for patients and their families. We invite you to join us in creating healthy lives in healthy communities by showcasing our passion for care, connection to the communities we serve and our culture of teamwork that makes VCH a great place to work.

• Comprehensive health benefits package, including MSP, extended health and dental and municipal pension plan
• Grow your career with employer‑paid training and leadership development opportunities
• Wellness supports, including counselling, critical incident and innovative wellness services are available to employees and their immediate families
• Award‑winning recognition programs to honour staff, medical staff and volunteers
• Access to exclusive discount offers and deals for VCH staff

At Vancouver Coastal Health, our vision of healthy lives in healthy communities inspires us and our values and pillars guide us. We support equitable practices, diverse teams and inclusive environments, which are vital to creating welcoming spaces where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and feel supported. We encourage applications from equity‑deserving communities, including Indigenous Peoples and members of racialized groups, people with disabilities and people of all gender identities and expressions and sexual orientation.

Vancouver Coastal Health is proud to be recognized as one of BC’s Top Employers, Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and Canada's Top Employers for Young People in 2025.

Only short‑listed applicants will be contacted for this posting.