Youth and Family Counsellor, Mental Health Program
BC Children’s Hospital
Vancouver, BC
Do you have the ability to support patients ages 5-17 with self-regulation and daily living activities? Are you able to coach parents/caregivers with positive behavioural support skills? Do you have experience facilitating child or adolescent groups? Acting as a youth care worker, BC Children's Hospital is seeking a Youth & Family Counsellor to support patients on the Child Psychiatry Unit with program and group facilitation.
The Youth and Family Counsellor (YFC) reports operationally to the Clinical Nurse Coordinator at BC Children's Hospital Mental Health and is responsible for maintaining a physically and emotionally safe therapeutic milieu, developing and facilitating groups, and providing activities and care appropriate to the child’s/youth’s stage of development. In a hospital based psychiatric assessment and treatment program, the Youth and Family Counsellor works collaboratively as part of an interprofessional team within an evidence based Trauma Informed model of care, to support all aspects of therapeutic care of patients with behavioural, emotional, and psychiatric problems and their families/caregivers. The Youth and Family Counsellor provides supportive counselling, and psychosocial assessment, including working with families/caregivers in accordance with established standards, policies and procedures. Drives patients to designated locations by operating the Centre’s vehicle.
Please indicate on your cover letter why you are interested in joining our team at BC Children's Mental Health! Check out our video HERE
What you’ll do
- Assess patients’ emotional and behavioural presentation, through the application of developmental theory, skills in Child and Youth Care, and trauma informed care. Communicates this assessment to the primary nurse and/or interprofessional team using appropriate methods including written documentation as per agency standards.
- Support children and youth in lifespan development activities in the context of their psychiatric disorder, through supportive counselling, strategic interventions, psychosocial development, and guidance in activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing and therapeutic meal support.
- Participate and contribute to patient care plan development, treatment strategies and intervention development with the assigned primary nurse and the interprofessional team by methods such as reviewing patient progress, discussing potential changes with team, and adjusting care strategies accordingly. Implements treatment team strategies and interventions as approved by the primary nurse and interprofessional team.
- Collect and document pertinent patient information related to patient admission, progress notes, weekend pass outcomes and transition planning as required. Participate in patient and family/caregivers meetings, rounds and case conferences as required.
- Establish and maintain therapeutic milieu by using engagement interventions such as Collaborative Problem Solving, trauma informed strategies, attachment and self-regulation strategies, and through the application of child and youth care theory and practice.
- Maintain a physically and emotionally safe environment for all patients by assessing and identifying the need for intervention in crisis situations through a trauma informed lens. Implements actions and documents according to established crisis management policies and procedures of the organization.
- Enhance the child and family/caregivers capacity for social skill development and community integration by methods such as utilizing understanding of group process, and organizing, leading and/or participating in assigned groups, such as community meetings and social skills development groups. Assists in community integration and social skills development by acting as a role model to organize and actively participate in activities (such as recreational outings to the gym, park, and swimming facilities), driving the Centre’s vehicle as required, and others activities as assigned.
What you bring
Qualifications
- Bachelor in Child and Youth Care, or a Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Psychology or Clinical Counselling, that includes course content relevant to Child and Youth Mental Health such as Infant, Child, and Adolescent Development, Fundamentals of Clinical Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, and Group and Family Processes.
- Two (2) years’ recent related experience working in a child and youth setting.
- Valid Class 4 driver’s license.
- Current CPR certification.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.).
You will also have
- Broad knowledge of the normal growth and development of children and youth
- Basic knowledge of mental health disorders in children and youth.
- Broad knowledge of Trauma Informed Care including 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Access to professional development opportunities through our 2,000+ in-house courses including a range of experience level, profession-specific, or other essential training on Indigenous Cultural Safety; Indigenous-specific anti-racism; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and accessibility, mental health and well-being, and more.
- PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
- 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: Casual
Wage: $42.27 to $52.81 per hour
Location: 4500 Oak Street, Vancouver BC, V6H 2N9
Applications will be accepted until position is filled.
Hours of Work: Rotating
Requisition #: CAS-YFC
What we do
BC Children’s Hospital (BCCH) provides care for the most seriously ill or injured children and youth from across British Columbia.
BCCH is 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 and BCCH are 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 [email protected].
Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and marginalization faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and self-determination of Indigenous communities. PHSA must uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents such as 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.
