Youth Care Counsellor |Mental Health APU

Position Summary
Interior Health is hiring a relief part time (0.53 FTE) Youth Care Counsellor to join our Mental Health Adolescent Psychiatric Unit (APU)/Tertiary Mental Health Services located at the Kelowna General Hospital (KGH).

This relief position is until October 27, 2027 or the return of the incumbent.

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.

The ideal candidate is a resilient, and collaborative Youth Care Counsellor who is passionate about supporting adolescents experiencing behavioural, emotional, and psychiatric challenges. This person thrives in a multidisciplinary, evidence-based environment and is committed to creating a physically and emotionally safe therapeutic milieu for youth and their families/caregivers.

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong skills in adolescent development, crisis intervention, supportive counselling, psychosocial assessment, and relationship-building, while acting as a positive role model through daily interactions and therapeutic activities. The Youth Care Counsellor will be adaptable, team-oriented, and confident in contributing to care planning, implementing therapeutic interventions, supporting community integration, and fostering healthy coping and social skills. The Youth Care Counsellor will be able to provide one-on-one care for youth at risk needing constant observation on the unit.

What we offer:

• Competitive salary and an attractive remuneration package
• Career Growth
• Employer paid training/education
• Employer paid vacation (per collective agreement)
• Employer paid insurance premiums
• Extended Health & Dental coverage
• Contribution to Municipal Pension Plan
• 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 and shift times are from 09:00 to 20:00 hours. Days of work are Thursday and Friday.

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 clinical 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.

If you are an experienced mental health professional and passionate about helping those in our community, apply today!

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

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 (Class 5).

As part of your application, please ensure to:

• Upload your resume, cover letter (if Out of Province indicate if you are relocating to the area and when)
• Upload a copy of your Bachelor’s Degree

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.