Youth Care Counsellor | Adolescent Psychiatric Unit

Position Summary
Kelowna General Hospital and Tertiary Mental Health Services are hiring a casual Youth Care Counsellor to join our team on the Mental Health (MH) Adolescent Psychiatric Unit (APU) to provide one-on-one care for youth at risk needing constant observation on the unit.

Who are we looking for?

We are seeking applicants with a relevant Bachelor’s degree that includes course content relevant to adolescent mental health as well as two years’ experience working with adolescent mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, psychosis, etc.

What we offer:

• Competitive salary and an attractive remuneration package
• Career Growth
• Employer paid training/education
• Balanced lifestyle

What will you work on?

The Youth Care Counsellor works collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team within an evidence based model of care, to support all aspects of therapeutic care of patients with behavioural, emotional, and psychiatric problems and their families/caregivers. Under the direction of the Manager (or designate), this position is responsible for maintaining a physically and emotionally safe therapeutic milieu, providing activities and care appropriate to the adolescent’s stage of development, supportive counselling, and psychosocial assessment, including working with families/caregivers in accordance with established standards, policies and procedures.

Scheduling Information:

Shift types are days, evenings and nights; shift times are from 09:00 to 20:00, 07:00 to 19:00, 19:00 to 07:00 hours.

This is a Casual opportunity. Casual means there are no guaranteed hours and work requirements can vary from 0 - 37.5 hours per week. Many careers with us begin with casual employment and lead to permanent or temporary career opportunities.

About this location/unit

The Adolescent Psychiatric Unit is a tertiary mental health, psychiatric unit for youth between ages 12 to 17 where the average length of stay is 7 to 21 days. There are eight beds staffed with a comprehensive, multidisciplinary team offering psycho-educational programming. A collaborative problem-solving philosophy and model of practice is utilized.

Reasons to Apply at Interior Health... What we can do for you

We offer a work environment conducive to growth and development of strong skills and a work environment that supports and promotes psychological health & safety for all. We offer the opportunity to have a balanced lifestyle that allows you to maintain the quality of life you desire.

For a challenging, growth-oriented career in a beautiful natural setting where balanced lifestyle choices abound, come to Interior Health and join our quest to set new standards of excellence in the delivery of health services in the Province of B.C.

Join our supportive and cohesive team at Kelowna General Hospital and make a difference in someone’s life. Apply Today!

Qualfications
Education, Training and Experience:

• Baccalaureate in a recognized health related discipline (such as Child and Youth Care, Arts with a Major in Psychology or Clinical Counselling) that includes course content relevant to Adolescent Mental Health (such as Adolescent Development, Fundamentals of Clinical Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, and Group and Family Processes).
• Two (2) years’ recent, related experience working in an adolescent setting.
• Appropriate valid BC driver’s license.

**Please upload required copies of degree and valid DL (class V) along with your application.

Skills and Abilities:

• Broad knowledge of the normal growth and development of adolescents.
• Basic knowledge of mental health disorders in adolescents.
• Broad knowledge of Collaborative Problem Solving.
• Broad Knowledge of Attachment and Self-Regulation Theory and Strategies.
• Broad knowledge of and demonstrated ability in recognizing and managing transference and counter-transference.
• Broad knowledge of and demonstrated ability in engaging and supporting individuals, milieu, and group processes.
• Demonstrated initiative in providing and participating in age appropriate activities.
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve, adjust to new or unexpected events, and to deal effectively with conflict situations.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within a team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to organize work.
• Demonstrated ability to apply computer skills and operate related equipment.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.