Counsellor, School of Medicine

Simon Fraser University•Surrey, BC

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Counsellor, School of Medicine, is responsible for providing anti-oppressive, trauma-informed, personal counselling for medical learners within SFU's School of Medicine (including MD students and residents). The role reports to Health & Counselling Services (HCS) and undertakes primary responsibility for supporting medical learners while functioning as an integrated counsellor within the School of Medicine. The role regularly engages with the HCS clinical team for the purposes of supervision, professional practice, collegial support and collaboration, while working closely with School of Medicine staff and faculty to support the well-being ecosystem for medical learners. The role provides individual assistance, counselling, values-based career counselling, workshops and outreach services that support personal wellbeing and professional development within medical training. The role collaborates with the Physician Health Program and other external wellbeing supports to facilitate referrals and coordinated care for learners requiring specialized or longer-term service. The role provides counselling within a structured model, while maintaining flexibility to respond to clinical needs, service demand, and the evolving needs of the medical learner population. Delivers focused counselling interventions, offers consultation and guidance to faculty and staff supporting learners in distress, and contributes to crisis response as required.

Requirements

Master's degree in Counselling Psychology, Social Work, or related discipline.
Designation as a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BCACC.
Three years related experience, including individual and group counselling, and delivering personal development programs and/or career support to post-secondary medical learners and/or physicians, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Excellent knowledge of culturally appropriate, anti-oppressive and trauma-informed practice of counselling and therapy.
Excellent knowledge of student development theory and counselling outreach programs for post-secondary medical learners.
Excellent knowledge of intersectional, feminist, anti-oppressive and anti-racist practices relevant to appropriate behaviour intervention, support coordination, conduct process administration, and case management.
Knowledge of supporting individuals from diverse populations, from equity-deserving groups, recognizing the diversity of experience based on gender identity, sexuality, race, age, class, family status, disability, Indigeneity, immigration status, language, religion, national or ethnic origin, and intersecting identities.
Knowledge of risk and violence risk assessment in community, family, and post-secondary settings.
Knowledge of systems of care and current relevant BC legislation on Human Rights.
Working knowledge of a broad range of community resources, sound knowledge of intervention and supports for individuals in distress, individuals facing difficulties, allegations of misconduct, issues of personal safety, financial, housing and food insecurity.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (both verbal and written).
Excellent organizational and time management skills.
Ability to deliver personal counselling and personal development programs to post-secondary medical learners and individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Ability to provide violence and risk assessment, crisis counselling and critical incident interventions.
Ability to exercise initiative, mature judgment, empathy and tact.
Ability to work as a member of a dynamic multi-disciplinary team.
Demonstrated ability to assist individuals in crisis; individuals dealing with trauma, bullying & harassment, racisms, discrimination, and violence.
Demonstrated commitment to critical self-reflection and personal cultural awareness.
Criminal Record/Vulnerable Sector check required upon employment.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of professional identity formation and career decision-making processes in medical training is an asset.

Responsibilities

Providing anti-oppressive, trauma-informed, personal counselling for medical learners (MD students and residents).
Supporting medical learners while functioning as an integrated counsellor within the School of Medicine.
Engaging with the HCS clinical team for supervision, professional practice, collegial support, and collaboration.
Working closely with School of Medicine staff and faculty to support the well-being ecosystem for medical learners.
Providing individual assistance, counselling, values-based career counselling, workshops, and outreach services.
Collaborating with the Physician Health Program and other external wellbeing supports to facilitate referrals and coordinated care.
Providing counselling within a structured model, while maintaining flexibility to respond to clinical needs, service demand, and evolving needs.
Delivering focused counselling interventions.
Offering consultation and guidance to faculty and staff supporting learners in distress.
Contributing to crisis response as required.