Mental Health and Addictions Counsellor

Reports to: Health Director

Salary: $32.00 - $37.00 per hour

Job type: Permanent full-time

Job location: 9010 West Saanich Road, North Saanich BC.

Process: email cover letter and resume to Lori Fitzgerald, CPHR at lori@pauquachin.com

Closing Date: 4:00PM Monday, July 8, 2024

The Health Department:

Pauquachin First Nation's Health Team serves community members in reaching their highest state of holistic wellness through culturally supportive programs and services. We work with an 'any door is the right door' mindset to help community members access supports related to any of the Social Determinants of Health.

The Opportunity:

The Mental Health and Addictions Counsellor provides advanced level expertise in community-based clinical mental wellness counselling services to those seeking help, including mental health and addictions counseling as well as crisis and trauma incidents in community. The Mental Health and Addictions Counsellor practices in a culturally safe, trauma informed way, while recognizing and respecting the values, beliefs and customs of individuals, families and community as well as adhering to best practices current to the field.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Provides crisis support, intervention and prevention for individuals on and off reserve and in the event of a community based critical incident;

  • Provides mental wellness counselling services including individual, group and family sessions, healing/treatment planning, collaborative discharge planning and after care to those impacted by community-based incidents;

  • Coordinates, attends and/or facilitates workshops, healing groups and speaking engagements with the community and in the schools;

  • Collaborates with community health staff, Traditional Knowledge Holders and Healers, families, and community resources as needed;

  • Provides assessments and screenings as needed upon discovery of the presence of suicide risk and mental health related issues;

  • Provides referrals to external agencies, internal services, Traditional Knowledge Holders and Healers and other culturally relevant resources;

  • Provides consultation, education and information to individuals, families, community and caregivers about mental wellness;

  • Evaluates treatment outcomes to ensure effectiveness of services through continuous follow-up plans and actions;

  • Collaborates with the Pauquachin Health Team to identify and address gaps, barriers and challenges of service delivery and offer solutions;

  • Provides quality access to mental wellness counselling to community and provides advocacy to address barriers of services;

  • Mediates, negotiates and resolves conflict resolution when responding or assisting in emergency situations;

  • Builds and/or enhances relationships between Pauquachin community members and external service providers;

  • Documents, and tracks clinical records as per the provided document tracking forms (i.e.: EMR, incident reports, workplans);

  • Works to incorporate cultural ceremony, tradition and customs into and around related duties where appropriate and as needed;

  • Assesses and documents systemic barriers and challenges identified as potential predisposing factors related to the incident;

  • Ensures client/family/community confidentiality and privacy in accordance with professional regulatory guidelines and following standards of practice and legal requirements;

  • Identifies and pursues funding for mental health and addiction programs and initiatives through existing and new funding sources;

  • Manages, tracks and reports on the spending of all grant funding received;

  • Works with the Director to develop the annual program budget.

What we require from you:

  • Bachelors or Master’s degree in counselling, psychology, social work or a relevant human

    services field; and

  • Up to date registration and in good standing with professional regulatory body; and

  • Advanced training in threat/risk assessment and/or trauma response Occupational Certification; and

  • 3 to 5 years of experience working with complex social systems; or

  • Equivalent combination of experience and education.

  • Minimum 2 years working with threat/risk and trauma assessment, intervention and postintervention;

  • Experience working from a trauma informed, culturally sensitive perspective;

  • Experience working with First Nations people and communities;

  • Experience preparing funding proposals for mental health and addiction programs and

    initiatives;

  • Experience creating documents, spreadsheets, memos, messages etc. with Microsoft

    programs;

  • Experience maintaining records, filing and correspondence tracking;

  • Class 5 driver’s licence, reliable vehicle and a clean driver’s abstract and appropriate

    insurance is required;

  • Valid first aid and CPR “C” certificate required;

  • Clean criminal record check with Vulnerable Sector required.

Why work with the Pauquachin First Nation?

By working with Pauquachin First Nation you will make an impact on the lives of our members. This is an opportunity to work for the advancement of our resilient community who seek to build a healthy, self reliant and economically strong community.

We offer competitive compensation, extended health benefit and registered pension plans, and a dynamic and friendly workplace.

Preference may be given to persons of Aboriginal ancestry and/or having knowledge of the Hul’q’umi’num’ culture and traditions.

For further information about the Pauquachin First Nation and our Health Department please visit www.pauquachin.ca.