Youth Mental Health & Wellness Clinician (Masters), Child & Youth Indigenous

Vancouver Coastal Health; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health care provider in Vancouver is looking for a Mental Health & Wellness Clinician focused on Indigenous children and youth. The role involves conducting mental health assessments and providing culturally safe services. Ideal candidates will have a Master’s degree and relevant experience with Indigenous communities. Join a dynamic team dedicated to promoting mental well-being.

Benefits

Comprehensive health benefits package

Employer-paid training and leadership development

Wellness supports available for employees and families

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related field required.
• Minimum three years of experience working with Indigenous youth.
• First Nations, Inuit, Metis ancestry preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct mental health assessments with Indigenous children/youth.
• Implement Indigenous Cultural Safety policy.
• Nurture engagements with Indigenous children/youth.

Skills

Knowledge of recovery principles in mental illness

Ability to establish respectful relationships

Demonstrated ability in assertive outreach

Cultural safety in care

Education

Master’s degree in Social Work, Clinical Counseling or Psychology

Three years related experience with Indigenous youth

Eligibility for professional registration

Job description

Come work as a Mental Health & Wellness Clinician with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)!

Vancouver Coastal Health is looking for a Mental Health & Wellness Clinician, Child and Youth Indigenous to join the Youth Outreach Mental Health team in Vancouver, BC. Apply today to join our team!

As a Mental Health & Wellness Clinician with Vancouver Coastal Health you will:

• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team conducting mental health assessments with Indigenous identified child and youth who may experience marginalization, challenges and barriers to engagement and experience current and emergent mental health and possible substance use concerns and providing treatment services that are sensitive to Indigenous cultures including direct clinical services in the form of assertive outreach assessment/intervention/referral and support to clientele using a Two‑Eyed seeing approach; a combination of western and Indigenous cultural care practices and approaches.
• Establish and maintain relationships based on respect and understanding, initiates and participates in case conferences/meetings, provide support to colleagues and consultative services to children & youth service providers for continuity of care.
• Implement the Indigenous Cultural Safety policy to provide culturally safe and responsive mental health & wellness supports to Indigenous children/child and youth and families to reduce barriers to accessing services, increase the quality and safety of services and improve clinical outcomes.
• Nurture meaningful and transformative engagements with Indigenous children/youth.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Clinical Counseling or Psychology.
• Three (3) years recent, related experience working with Indigenous children/youth and their families who may experience challenges and barriers to accessing mental health supports and may experience marginalization, or equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Eligibility for registration with the appropriate professional body or association, as applicable.
• Valid BC Driver’s License. Local area travel may require the use of a personal vehicle.
• First Nations, Inuit, Metis 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 candidates who identify as Indigenous including First Nations, Metis or Inuit.

Knowledge & Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles of recovery in mental illness.
• Knowledge of Psychosocial Rehabilitation methodology.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the diagnosis and treatment of behavioural, social emotional and mental health/psychiatric problems impacting Indigenous children and youth.
• Broad knowledge of mental health & substance use diagnosis and treatment.
• Broad knowledge of psychopharmacology (indications and side‑effects).
• Broad knowledge of psychotherapeutic and counselling skills.
• Broad knowledge of Indigenous health, social and community services.
• Broad knowledge of other facilities and community resources.
• Broad knowledge of other health care disciplines and their role in client care.
• Broad knowledge of the normal growth and development of children.
• Broad knowledge of school, legislation and government policies and procedures that relate to/impact client.
• Demonstrated ability to work with Indigenous children/youth with behavioural, social, emotional and mental health/psychiatric issues.
• Demonstrated ability to do assertive outreach with Indigenous youth who may experience marginalization and/or street involvement.
• Broad knowledge of working with youth who are substance using/concurrent.
• Comprehensive knowledge and demonstrated ability to provide culturally safe care, has completed Indigenous Cultural Safety Training.
• Broad knowledge of the impact of colonization on Indigenous peoples and the effects of intergenerational trauma on Indigenous individuals, families and communities.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in Trauma Informed Practice and Harm Reduction approach.
• Demonstrated ability to perform psychosocial assessments and provide treatment planning and care.
• Demonstrated ability to apply knowledge of theory and practice to a case coordination process within an Indigenous cultural safety framework.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with Indigenous children/youth and their families/identified supports, educational personnel, Indigenous child welfare and resources social workers, other service providers, colleagues, physician, and other health care staff.
• Demonstrated listening and information seeking skills that promotes communication and lead to a co‑operative approach to problem solving within a multidisciplinary setting and within an Indigenous cultural framework.
• Demonstrated ability to establish workload priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to take clinical input and direction from a supervisor.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated ability to work with individuals with diverse ethnic backgrounds and exhibits a cross‑cultural competency.
• Demonstrated ability to adjust to new or unexpected events, to problem solve, and to deal effectively with conflict and crisis situations.
• Demonstrated ability to provide consultation, leadership and work direction.
• Ability to operate related equipment.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
• Basic computer literacy to operate 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.