Concurrent Disorder Clinician (Masters) - Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)

Vancouver Coastal Health • Vancouver, BC

1d • CA$45 - CA$56 • Onsite

About The Position

Within the context of a dynamic client and family-centred care model, and in accordance with established standards of professional practice and the vision, values and policies of the organization, works within a multi/interdisciplinary team and as part of a broader integrated system to deliver services to clients experiencing various levels of substance misuse and mental illness. Provides independent substance use and mental health screening, and comprehensive assessments including clinical impressions; provides appropriate treatment/support including individual and group therapy, couples and family therapy, and education; and identifies the client’s motivation and their stage in the treatment process and encourages engagement in treatment. Establishes and maintains non-judgmental therapeutic relationships with clients, collaborates and consults with colleagues and other community resources, assists with developing/providing education services as required, and participates in program sponsored interdisciplinary research. Participates in case conferences, team meetings, continuing education, and/or program initiatives and engages in on-going team planning, development, evaluation and quality improvement activities.This work is framed within VCH’s commitments to our pillars of Indigenous Cultural Safety, Anti-Racism, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and Planetary Health.

Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)ACT is a team-based, person-centered service delivery model that combines treatment, rehabilitation and support services using transdisciplinary team-based care as a community alternative to psychiatric hospitalization. These teams provide intensive, specific and continuous services to meet the needs of individuals living with serious and persistent mental health and/or substance use challenges, who have not benefited from traditional outpatient programs. ACT teams bring health care and life-skills support to clients, all of whom would have challenges accessing health care and other social supports. ACT uses a trauma informed approach to promote recovery through community-based treatment and rehabilitation. The ACT team strives to support clients to maintain wellness in the community, reduce the number of client contacts with police, access substance use supports and harm reduction, and improve the quality of life for clients.

Requirements

• Master's degree in an Behavioural Health Discipline from a recognized program.
• Three (3) years' recent related experience providing professional services to the designated client population who have substance use and mental illness, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Valid BC Driver's License as required. Local area travel may require the use of a personal vehicle.
• Comprehensive knowledge of psychotherapeutic and counselling skills.
• Broad knowledge of bio-psycho-social issues that may occur in response to changing mental health and substance use behaviours.
• Broad knowledge of mental health and substance use disorders and their interaction.
• Broad knowledge of DSM V diagnostic classification system.
• Broad knowledge of psychopharmacology.
• Broad knowledge of legislation, government policies and procedures that relate to the client.
• Basic knowledge of other health disciplines and their role in health care.
• Demonstrated listening and information seeking skills to promote communication and leading to a cooperative approach to problem solving within a multi/interdisciplinary setting.
• Demonstrated ability to work with and facilitate the development of an integrated system of substance use and mental health services, including working with specialty substance use and mental health agencies, and other related professionals.
• Demonstrated ability to gather relevant information to make a multi-dimensional substance use and mental health assessment.
• Demonstrated ability to complete a mental health assessment, case formulation and, in consultation with the client, to create a treatment plan that addresses both substance use and any level of mental illness.
• Knowledge of emergency/trauma mental health and crisis stabilization.
• Demonstrated ability to apply a variety of theoretical models to practice in assessment and intervention.
• Demonstrated ability to draw out and honour information that will contribute to understanding of the client's situation.
• Demonstrated ability to assess and respond appropriately to emergent situations.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with clients, colleagues, referral sources, medical personnel, and community agency personnel.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and problem solve in pressure situations.
• Demonstrated ability to establish workload priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to adjust to new or unexpected events.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
• Skilled in the use of equipment, and in the techniques appropriate for treatment.
• Basic computer literacy to operate a electronic client care information system and word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, Internet and e-mail software.

Responsibilities

• Provides independent substance use and mental health screening, and comprehensive assessments including clinical impressions.
• Provides appropriate treatment/support including individual and group therapy, couples and family therapy, and education.
• Identifies the client’s motivation and their stage in the treatment process and encourages engagement in treatment.
• Establishes and maintains non-judgmental therapeutic relationships with clients.
• Collaborates and consults with colleagues and other community resources.
• Assists with developing/providing education services as required.
• Participates in program sponsored interdisciplinary research.
• Participates in case conferences, team meetings, continuing education, and/or program initiatives.
• Engages in on-going team planning, development, evaluation and quality improvement activities.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health benefits package, including MSP, extended health and dental and municipal pension plan
• Grow your career with employer-paid training and leadership development opportunities
• Wellness supports, including counselling, critical incident and innovative wellness services are available to employees and their immediate families
• Award-winning recognition programs to honour staff, medical staff and volunteers

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level