Social Worker, Indigenous Wellness

Works within an interdisciplinary team to provide comprehensive services and therapeutic clinical counseling to clients and their families of the Indigenous Primary Health and Wellness Home.

Conducts comprehensive social work and psychosocial assessments of clients and their families using a variety of assessment tools to provide treatment services for clients including liaising with community agencies and caregiver support groups; provides Indigenous wellness clinical support to the interdisciplinary team including physicians and nurse practitioners in the development of culturally safe care plans and services within the assigned area of responsibility; delivers and evaluates clinical services and outcomes; participates on local committees and planning bodies to identify areas to improve the efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery to enhance client care services and reduce service gaps for the Indigenous population.

Provides client and family-centered, culturally safe care through a trauma-informed approach and evidence-informed practice, and in accordance with professional standards, clinical policies, legislation and practices; establishes a dignifying, purposeful and trusting relationship with clients, promoting self-determination and independence; encourages knowledge exchange in day-to day activities, and empowers clients and natural supports to engage and connect within their communities; ensures clients and their family members are supported in navigating the health care system.

Education, Training and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from an approved school of Social Work plus two (2) years' recent related experience in a complex health care environment, working with interdisciplinary teams including 1 year of experience working with Indigenous clients. Knowledge of Indigenous health and wellness approaches, protocol and cultural issues. Or an equivalent combination of social work education, training and experience. Current full registration with the BC College of Social Workers.

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of cultural safety, harm reduction, trauma-informed, strength and resiliency-oriented approaches; concurrent disorders; addictions and addictions counselling.
• 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.
• 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.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct comprehensive social work and psychosocial assessment.
• Comprehensive counseling skills including crisis counseling, brief therapeutic interventions and loss and grief applicable to patient, families and their support networks.
• Comprehensive knowledge of pertinent/relevant health care and privacy legislations.
• Ability to educate and provide consultation to patients, families and healthcare professionals.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize workload in a complex environment.
• 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 50,000+ 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.

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