Social Work Clinician, Mental Health Eating Disorders - BC Children's Hospital

Social Work Clinician, Mental Health Eating Disorders

BC Children's and Women's Hospital & Health Centre

Vancouver, BC

What you'll do

1. Provide clinical services based on knowledge and expertise by coordinating the treatment, guiding the interdisciplinary team in the clinical care, and collaborating within the interdisciplinary team, and determining when to bring in other community resources; providing intense family therapy to patients and families in the Intense Treatment Service (ITS), inpatient, day treatment, outpatient, and Looking Glass Residence program; fostering a positive treatment milieu, policies, and routines that are attuned to cultural, religious and ethnic differences; and providing advanced level family assessments relevant to children and youth with eating disorders and family dynamics and recommendations on treatment planning to team and family.
2. Provide clinical consultation and participate in discharge planning by methods such as consulting on cases and therapeutic challenges by phone or telehealth to eating disorders therapists around the province; providing guidance to the team and relevant community agencies regarding child protection concerns, custody and access, release of information, treatment refusal and consents to treatment; assisting with coordinating therapy follow-up with other team members and community partners; and utilizing skills in teleconferencing to include health care professionals in care planning with patients and families around the province.
3. Provide individual and group therapy within the context of the ITS, day treatment, outpatient and Looking Glass Residence program, which includes co-facilitating therapy groups such as Art Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Groups, meal support therapy, and multi-family groups. Provides counselling and psycho-education to families and other relevant caregivers through parent support groups to understand the nature, treatment and prognosis of the eating disorder and to assist families with coping.
4. Participate in program planning and clinical practice guidelines as part of a multi-disciplinary team by methods such as evaluating and participating in developing clinical treatment practices, guidelines and protocols within the team to promote excellence in social work practice and eating disorders treatment protocols, and identifying, promoting and leading program planning strategies to enhance system processes and resources for patients.
5. Maintain up-to-date knowledge on research and best practices in treatment methods globally in the eating disorders field and specific to social work practice and family therapy; relevant legislation including the Child and Family Services Act, Infants Consent Act, Freedom of Privacy and Information Act and the Mental Health Act; and community resources locally, nationally and internationally in the field of eating disorders.

What you bring

Qualifications

1. Master's Degree in Social Work from a recognized program.
2. Minimum of three (3) years experience specifically providing family therapy in a related mental health setting with children and youth including two (2) years experience with eating disorders or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
3. Post-masters certificate from a recognized family therapy training program.
4. Completion of post-master's professional development workshops in areas of clinical intervention that may include at least two of the following: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Motivational Enhancement Therapy and Group Therapy.
5. Current full registration with the British Columbia College of Social Workers.

1. Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism and systemic racism on Indigenous Peoples within social and health contexts. This includes understanding how these factors contribute to current health disparities and barriers to care. Show a clear commitment to identifying, challenging, and eradicating Indigenous-specific racism and all forms of discrimination impacting equity-deserving groups within healthcare settings. This involves recognizing personal biases, institutional barriers, engaging in anti-racism education and training and advocating for systemic change.
2. Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments within BCCH contexts found in the foundational documents including Truth & Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, BC Human Rights Code, Anti-racism Data Act and how they intersect across the health care system.

Core Competencies

1. Brings an understanding of the Indigenous specific racism and the broader systemic racism that exists in the colonial health care structure, and has demonstrated leadership in breaking down barriers and ensuring an environment of belonging. Embed Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility into all aspects of work. This means creating an environment where Indigenous patients feel respected, valued, and understood. Foster trust through respectful communication, active listening, and honoring equity-deserving people's perspectives on health and wellness. Commit to ongoing education and training on Indigenous health issues, cultural safety, and DEI principles. Participate in workshops, cultural immersion experiences, and continuous professional development to stay informed and responsive to equity-deserving groups. Provide patient-centred care that respects Indigenous ways of knowing and healing, respects BIPOC experiences and world views ensuring that care plans are culturally relevant and holistic.
2. Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (The Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.).

Skills & Knowledge

1. Comprehensive knowledge of social work theory, family therapy theory and practice.
2. Comprehensive knowledge of issues related to eating disorders in children and youth and the psychosocial impact for patients and families.
3. Knowledge of DSM IV diagnostic criteria for children and youth with eating disorders and related mental health co-morbid diagnoses.
4. Knowledge of best practices in eating disorders treatment and evidence based clinical intervention including family therapy, family based treatment and cognitive behavioural therapy methods and their appropriate applications.
5. Knowledge of eating disorders resources including St. Paul's Adult Eating Disorders Program and programs and teams around the province and other regions of Canada.
6. Knowledge of relevant legislation affecting children and families in mental health including: Mental Health Act, Infants Consent Act, Freedom of Privacy and Information, and Child and Community Services Act.
7. Knowledge of child protection risk factors and legal issues relevant to child protection reporting.
8. Up-to-date knowledge of relevant local community agencies including MCFD, eating disorders teams throughout BC, and charitable organizations.

1. Demonstrates a commitment to beginning and continuing their personal learning journey related to Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as addressing racism more broadly. Shows willingness to articulate and share their learning experiences to contribute to a culture of motivation and inspiration among peers.
2. Demonstrates foundational knowledge of the social, economic, and political realities of settler-colonialism and its impacts on Indigenous peoples and equity-deserving groups within social and health contexts. Understands the impact of social determinants of health-on-health outcomes. Shows a commitment to learning about and upholding legislative obligations and provincial commitments outlined in foundational documents such as the Truth & Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan, Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, the BC Human Rights Code, Anti-Racism Data Act, and the Distinctions Based Approach.

What we bring

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That's why we're focused on your care too - offering health, wellness, development programs to support you - at work and at home.

1. Join one of BC's largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations - offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
2. Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San'yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles.
3. Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
4. Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
5. PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
6. Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.

Job Type:

Regular, Part-Time (0.80 FTE)

Wage:

$42.27 - $52.81/hour

Location:

4500 Oak Street, Vancouver BC, V6H 2N9

Hours of Work:

Monday - Thursday, 0900-1700

Requisition #

182598E

What we do

BC Children's Hospital (BCCH) provides care for the most seriously ill or injured children and youth from across British Columbia.

BC Women's Hospital & Health Centre (BCW) is dedicated to improving the health of women, newborns and families through a comprehensive range of services, research and education. BCCH and BCW are part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).

The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people - Be compassionate - Dare to innovate - Cultivate partnerships - Serve with purpose.

Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services

PHSA, BCW and BCCH is committed to equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently marginalized groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.

One of PHSA's North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya'kula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at indigenous.employment@phsa.ca.

Attention current employees of PHSA:

You must apply via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca.

The internal job posting expires on April 27, 2025 and will no longer be accessible. If the internal job posting has expired, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca with the six-digit job requisition number and your PHSA employee ID number to be considered as a late internal applicant. Please do not apply for the external job posting.

If you have not yet set up an internal profile, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca with your PHSA employee ID number to obtain your temporary password. Our business hours are Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm, excluding Statutory Holidays and a Help Desk Representative will respond to you with 1-2 business days.

If you are not a current employee of PHSA and require assistance with your application, please contact the External Careers team at careers@phsa.ca.