Youth Therapist, Substance Use Services – Indigenous

The Indigenous Youth Therapist would provide direct clinical services such as intake, assessment, and treatment interventions as a core member fo the Fraser Cascade Integrated Child and Youth (ICY) team. The Indigenous Youth Therapist supports care coordination across substance use services, local service areas, and regional and provincial services, with an emphasis on reducing barriers to re-enter the system of care and facilitating timely treatment and rapid re-engagement of clients where appropriate and feasible through collaborative, respectful relationships with community professionals, traditional healers, and Elders. The Indigenous Youth Therapist has experience with and deep understanding of First Nations, Métis and Inuit history, culture, traditional healing practices, intergenerational-trauma and intergenerational-strength.

Working within a framework of cultural safety and humility, trauma informed practice, and using best practices and research evidence, the Indigenous

Youth Therapist provides assessment, planning, treatment interventions and supports that incorporate traditional Indigenous knowledge that is relevant and Indigenous approaches as appropriate to each child or youth’s family and community context that will facilitate a cultural connection to any child or youth that identify as Indigenous.

Services may be provided on an outreach basis when required to assess and/or engage with clients within their own environment and community. May be assigned as the "most responsible clinician" to specific clients dependent on the client's primary needs.

Education, Training & Experience

Minimum Bachelor's Degree in an applicable social or health sciences program . Two (2) years' recent related experience working with clients and families with, or affected by, mental illness and substance use disorders, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Preference may be given to applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis or Inuit.

Valid B.C. Driver’s License and access to a personal vehicle for work-related purposes.

Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of harm reduction, trauma-informed, recovery-oriented approach; concurrent disorders; addictions and addictions counselling.
• Demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of relevant Acts such as Mental Health Act, Freedom of Information Act, Child, Family and Community Service Act, pertinent regulations, policies and procedures, and other statutory duties.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Indigenous cultural practices and beliefs, including awareness of traditional healing practices such as drumming, singing and smudge ceremonies.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices and theories of clinical counselling as applied to Indigenous populations.
• Knowledge of how Indigenous culture impacts the development of individuals and communities. Familiarity with residential school issues and the effects on First Nations people.
• Demonstrated ability to develop consultative relationships with health professionals, counsellors, traditional healers, and Elders.
• In-depth knowledge of community resources and strong collaborative skills in working with other community partners to inform the referral process, with application to Indigenous communities.
• Comprehensive knowledge of psychiatric diagnosis and professional practice guidelines for the treatment of various disorders.
• Demonstrated ability in utilizing mental health and addictions standardized tools for client assessments.
• Demonstrated therapeutic skills in the areas of case management, individual and group therapy with youth with various mental health disorders including concurrent disorders.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the broad range of issues pertaining to adolescent mental health problems.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the developmental stages of the individual including related family life cycle and psychosocial issues.
• In-depth knowledge of community resources and strong collaborative skills in working with other community partners to inform the referral process, with application to Indigenous communities.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing including with Indigenous partners and First Nations communities.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals, groups, and interdisciplinary professionals through understanding the frameworks of other disciplines.
• Demonstrated ability to assess, plan, organize, implement, evaluate and problem-solve, organize and prioritize workload in a complex environment.
• Ability to effectively develop, coordinate and deliver in-services, education, presentations, psycho-educational and support groups and consultation to clients, families, and healthcare professionals.
• Demonstrated therapeutic skills in the areas of case management, individual and group therapy with youth and youth adults with various mental disorders including concurrent disorders.
• Proficiency in the use of personal computers, including related word processing and database management software applications.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.

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 48,000+ staff, medical staff and volunteers.

We are committed to planetary health and value diversity in the work force. 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.

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