Mental Wellness Counsellor

Adams Lake Indian Band; Chase; On-site; CAD 69,000 - 76,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Defined contribution pension

Health, vision, dental coverage

LTD and AD&D

Life insurance

Employee assistance program

Two weeks vacation

Two weeks paid winter break

Sick/personal days

Job summary

Adams Lake Indian Band is seeking a .75-1.0 fte Mental Wellness Counsellor to support individuals facing health challenges. You will provide trauma-informed, culturally safe counseling under the Senior Health Officer, advocating for clients and coordinating care.

Qualifications include a Master’s degree and BC registration eligibility, with two years’ experience in Indigenous mental health settings. A valid driver’s license and crisis response skills are required.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant field and eligible for professional registration.
• Experience counseling within a First Nations context.
• Two years' experience with diverse clients facing mental health barriers.
• Knowledge of decolonizing mental wellness practice.
• Valid BC Class 5 Driver's License and access to a vehicle.
• Strong written and verbal communication; proficient with MS Outlook/Office.

Responsibilities

• Provide client-centered, trauma-informed mental health counseling.
• Screen referrals and plan treatment with primary physicians and others.
• Engage clients to build a therapeutic working relationship.
• Respond to risk indicators to ensure safety of individuals.
• Advocate for clients and coordinate care with families and services.
• Coordinate transition plans and discharge planning for care levels.
• Respond to urgent trauma events and coordinate with responders.
• Document thoroughly in the EMR for record-keeping and evaluation.
• Develop a comprehensive community care plan with the team.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Crisis intervention

Cultural safety

Indigenous context experience

Microsoft Office

Communication skills

Valid Driver's License

Education

Master's degree in allied health, behavioural, or social sciences

Eligibility for BC Association of Clinical Counselors registration

Job description

Adams Lake Indian Band is seeking a .75-1.0 fte Mental Wellness Counsellor to support individuals who have ongoing challenges that are impacting their ability to achieve health and wellness. The Mental Health Counselor will work under the direction of the Senior Health Officer. The Mental Wellness Counsellor will provide holistic therapeutic support that is rooted in trauma-informed culturally safe practice to clients who have experienced the myriad of colonial violations & assault. They will act as an advocate and liaison for their clients struggling with a range of challenges including acute episodic trauma, i.e. sexual assault, deeply rooted trauma, i.e. racism, and early childhood traumas, i.e. disruption in parental attachments.

DUTIES INCLUDE:

• Provide client-centered, trauma-informed mental health therapeutic counseling;
• Screen referrals and assess clients to determine a treatment plan with eligibility for services in collaboration with primary physicians and other health care professionals;
• Utilize interpersonal skills, engage with each client in order to facilitate the building of a therapeutic working relationship;
• Respond to risk indicators that identify a need for clinical or legal intervention to ensure the safety and wellbeing of an individual or others;
• Respond to issues of concern and advocate on behalf of the client/family and/or caregiver to support their choices and needs while utilizing practices that align with current and recognized care management competencies. Identify problems and seek creative solutions or approaches that maximize client autonomy and choice;
• Identify the need for transition plans and ensure they are arranged) and in place for clients transferring between levels of care, including involvement in discharge planning and follow-up after admission to hospital or emergency department;
• Respond to urgent trauma events (i.e. sexual assault; overdose, sudden death)
• Support clients as an advocate and liaison through the continuum of acute trauma (i.e. Work directly with victims of sexual assault in providing support, the full realm of advocacy, referrals and work with first responders and Victim Services assist with files (emergency room, police, court, etc.)
• Support the preparation of appropriate documents relevant to coordinate trauma healing plan (i.e. treatment center applications, social documents, protection orders, and other paperwork including victim services assistance and compensation)
• Network with and make referrals to partnering agencies;
• Facilitate care conferencing to review client care plans in collaboration with the inter-disciplinary /inter-sectoral team to determine timing and referral to services and interventions to improve client outcomes;
• Complete thorough, standardized documentation to be done in a timely fashion. It will be completed in the appropriate electronic medical record for each patient and will be used for record-keeping, sharing information with other team members, and evaluation purposes;
• Participate in the development of a comprehensive community care plan in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team. The care plan indicates the most responsible Clinician at any given time. This plan is to be shared with the client, family, primary care provider, and referring clinics. Identify system barriers and potential solutions;
• Responsible for monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting of all grant activity including statistics relating to services provided, the numbers served and gathering and classifying other relevant data and statistics.

Successful proponents' practice should be grounded in the values and principles and operate in alignment with the:

• United Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples;
• United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child;
• Truth and Reconciliation Commissions Calls to Action;
• Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Rulings;
• BC Counsellors Association Ethical Guidelines for Counsellors;
• BC College of Social Workers Ethical Guidelines; and
• Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Ethical Guidelines Counsellors.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND ABILILITIES:

Academic Preparation

• Master's degree from an accredited educational institution in an Allied Health, Behavioural, or Social Science field relevant to the position (or related field)
• Current or eligible for full registration with the BC Association of Clinical Counselors or other relevant associations/colleges.

Experience

• Past and/or current counseling experience within a First Nations context;
• General competency in concurrent disorders;
• Experience and knowledge of decolonizing Mental Wellness Practice;
• Two years' recent experience working with diverse clients with mental health issues and social barriers or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience;
• Experience in direct service, community-based mental health delivery systems, and experience working with Indigenous people;
• Completion of 3rd Party Reporting training, and First Responder Sexual Assault and Abuse Training;
• Demonstrated ability to think critically, work effectively in crisis situations, be non-judgemental, and problem-solve whilst maintaining the utmost confidentiality;
• Valid Class 5 Drivers License and access to a reliable vehicle with appropriate 3rd Party Insurance;
• Must possess excellent written and oral communication skills and be proficient with Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Office Suite;
• Must be knowledgeable of the sexual assault dynamics and be able to respond appropriately in crisis situations;
• Must be willing to adhere to the philosophy, mission and policies of the Adams Lake Indian Band;
• Physically capable to lift up to 30lbs.

OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENTS (REQUIRED DOCUMENTS)

• Must pass child abuse and neglect central registry screening
• Negative Tuberculosis screening (copy required)
• Proof of Vaccination COVID-19 (copy required)
• Valid First Aid / CPR Certificate (copy required)
• Current Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable sector clearance (original)
• Valid B.C. Class 5 Driver's License (copy required)
• Reliable transportation with valid business insurance

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Part time or Fulltime Permanent Position
• Hours per week: .50 - 1.0 FTE up to a maximum of 40 hours per week with days/times to be negotiated and agreed upon hiring.
• Wage range: $50.00 – $55.00 per hour, based on qualifications and experience
• Band vehicles will be provided for work-related travel.

WHY US?

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including a defined contribution pension scheme, health, vision, and dental coverage, LTD, AD&D, and life insurance and an employee assistance program. In addition to a starting vacation entitlement of two weeks we typically provide a two-week paid winter break and provide paid sick/personal days in addition to Statutory or Designated holidays.

Competition will remain open until filled.

ALIB reserves the right to withdraw, cancel, postpone, or revise advertised positions; although we acknowledge all those interested in the position, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.