Indigenous Child, Youth & Family Counsellor

We are hiring a Full Time Indigenous Child, Youth & Family Counsellor to join our team in Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows, B.C. areas.

We invite you to apply today and find out why employees recommend Fraser Health to their friends as an exceptional place to work. We are committed to planetary health, we value diversity in the work force and seek to maintain an environment of Respect, Caring and Trust.

A career with Fraser Health will offer you the opportunity to be a part of a dedicated team of professionals in a dynamic and rewarding health care environment. We offer a competitive compensation and benefit package, including comprehensive health benefits coverage.

Take the next step and apply so we can continue the conversation with you.

Working within a framework of cultural safety and humility, trauma informed practice, and using best practices and research evidence, the Indigenous Child, Youth, and Family Counsellor provides assessment, planning, treatment interventions and supports that incorporate relevant traditional First Nations, Métis and Inuit knowledge and First Nations, Métis and Inuit approaches as appropriate. Practices and approaches are considerate of each child or youth’s family and community context and will facilitate a cultural connection to any child or youth that identify as First Nations, Métis and Inuit. The Indigenous Child, Youth, and Family Counsellor supports care coordination across child, youth and family services, local service areas, and regional and provincial service. Emphasis is on reducing barriers and facilitating timely access to clinical and non-clinical service where appropriate and feasible through collaborative, respectful relationships with community professionals, traditional healers, and Elders. The Indigenous Child, Youth, and Family Counsellor has experience with and deep understanding of First Nations, Métis and Inuit history, culture, traditional healing practices, intergenerational-trauma and intergenerational-strength. Services may be provided on an outreach basis when required to assess and/or engage with clients within their own environment and community. The Indigenous Child, Youth, and Family Counsellor may be assigned as the "most responsible clinician" to specific clients dependent on the client's primary needs.

Education, Training & Experience

Master's Degree in an applicable social or health sciences program such as Counselling Psychology or Social Work.

Eligible for registration or membership with applicable professional association or regulatory body.

Two (2) years’ recent related experience working with First Nations, Métis and Inuit individuals and families with, or affected by, mental illness and substance use disorders, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

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

Knowledge and understanding of First Nations, Métis and Inuit cultural practices and beliefs; awareness of traditional First Nations, Métis and Inuit health approaches, protocols and healing practices sand an understanding of cultural issues.

Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of cultural safety, harm reduction, trauma-informed, strength and resiliency-oriented approaches; 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 First Nations, Métis and Inuit 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 First Nations, Métis and Inuit populations.
• Knowledge of how First Nations, Métis and Inuit 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 First Nations, Métis and Inuit 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.
• 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, trainings, presentations, psycho-educational and support groups and consultation to clients, families, and healthcare professionals.
• 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.

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Indeed | Glassdoor

IMPORTANT: Recruitment scam warning

Please be on alert for recruitment scams. We are aware of several scams targeting individuals by falsely claiming to represent Fraser Health. Always take precautions when sharing personal details with unverified sources. Please note that we will never ask for money or payment, nor ask you to download or install an app at any point during our recruitment process.