Come work as a Mental Health and Addictions Outreach Clinician with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)!

Vancouver Coastal Health is looking for a Mental Health & Addictions Outreach Clinician (Masters) to join the Intensive Health Outreach Team (IHOT) in Vancouver, B.C. Apply today to join our team!

About the Intensive Health Outreach Team (IHOT):

This is an exciting position with the Intensive Health Outreach Team! You will work as part of an interdisciplinary team to provide outreach services for individuals who are experiencing homelessness in shelter, on the street and encampments. You will provide episodic primary care, mental health and substance use supports to clients in the form of immediate assessment, intervention, treatment and bridging. This is a new and evolving specialized short-term case management team that promotes housing stability and optimal health. Apply today to join our team!

As a Mental Health and Addiction Clinician, you will:

• Work as a member of an interdisciplinary team to provide a range of outreach mental health services for adults suffering from serious psychiatric illnesses or concurrent psychiatric and substance use disorders.
• In collaboration with acute care and community partners, provide consultation and capacity building with various community care agencies.
• Conduct mental health assessments for individuals experiencing urgent and emergent mental health and/or substance abuse problems.
• Assess physiological, psychological and social cultural needs; conduct risk assessments and formulate initial diagnostic impressions in order to determine priority of care requirements and the available services and resources.
• Provide direct clinical services in the form of immediate assessment, intervention, referral and support to clients in urgent situations.
• Provide crisis intervention-stabilization as required and collaborate with colleagues and other caregivers in the identification and resolution of client care issues, ethical dilemmas, coordination and integration of care.
• Act as client advocate, develop, coordinate and deliver evidence based treatment/interventions.
• Participate in clinical/case conferences, team meetings, continuing education, conferences, and/or corporate initiatives.
• Engage in on-going team planning, development, evaluation and quality improvement activities.

Education & Experience

• Master’s degree in a behavioural science from a recognized program.
• Two (2) years’ recent experience working with individuals with a mental illness; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Valid B.C. driver's license. Local area travel requires the use of a personal vehicle for which mileage reimbursement will be paid.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles of recovery in mental illness.
• Knowledge of Psychosocial Rehabilitation methodology.
• Broad knowledge of clinical theory & counselling skills.
• Broad knowledge of mental illness and treatment.
• Broad knowledge of substance use and addictions treatment
• Broad knowledge of psychopharmacology (indications and side-effects).
• Broad knowledge of other facilities and community resources
• Broad knowledge of psychoeducation principles and methods.
• Broad knowledge of legislation and government policies and procedure that relate to client care including the BC Mental Health Act.
• Knowledge of DSM IV Diagnostic Classification System, mental status examination and case formulation.
• Knowledge of infectious and chronic disease management.
• Demonstrated ability to administer prescribed medications and monitor for possible medical side effects.
• Demonstrated ability to apply a variety of theoretical models to practice in assessment and intervention and critically evaluate against identified outcomes
• Demonstrated ability to conduct mental health and addictions assessments, and provide treatment planning and crisis intervention.
• Demonstrated ability to apply a variety of theoretical models to practice in assessment, and intervention.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with colleagues, clients and their families, students and service providers in health and social services.
• Demonstrated de-escalation and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to manage aggressive and suicidal behavior.
• Ability to work with a culturally diverse population.
• Ability to conduct a risk assessment and respond appropriately.
• Demonstrated ability to establish workload priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated ability to adjust to new or unexpected events.
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve.
• Ability to operate related equipment.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
• Ability to operate a computerized client care information system and word processing, spreadsheet, Internet and email software.

The hours of work including days off and work area may be subject to change consistent with operational requirements and the provision of the Collective Agreement and applicable statutes. Successful applicants may be required to complete a Criminal Records Review Check.

As per Ministry of Health policy, all health care workers working in publicly-funded health care facilities are required to report their past receipt of certain vaccines or history of certain infections. Collecting these records will allow for offering of any missing vaccines, and for appropriate actions to be taken in the event of any future exposure to a communicable disease or during outbreaks. For all new hires and appointments to Vancouver Coastal Health, you will be asked to provide this information as part of the onboarding process.

WHY JOIN VANCOUVER COASTAL HEALTH?

VCH is a world class innovator in medical care, research and teaching, delivering service to more than one million BC residents. At VCH, we embrace thinking boldly, taking smart risks, and "going first" when we believe it will lead to the best possible outcomes for patients and their families. We invite you to join us in creating healthy lives in healthy communities by showcasing our passion for care, connection to the communities we serve and our culture of teamwork that makes VCH a great place to work.

• 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
• Access to exclusive discount offers and deals for VCH staff

At Vancouver Coastal Health, our vision of healthy lives in healthy communities inspires us and our values and pillars guide us. We support equitable practices, diverse teams and inclusive environments, which are vital to creating welcoming spaces where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and feel supported. We encourage applications from equity-deserving communities, including Indigenous Peoples and members of racialized groups, people with disabilities and people of all gender identities and expressions and sexual orientation.

Vancouver Coastal Health is proud to be recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers in 2024.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for this posting.


***Employees of VCH must apply online via the Internal Career Portal on CareerHub, you are currently viewing the External Career Portal. Refer to the https://my.vch.ca/working-here/job-postings site for instructions on how to view internal job postings and how to apply as an employee. Current VCH employees who apply to this posting using this external site will be considered as an external candidate. Seniority will not apply.***

Thank you for your interest in Vancouver Coastal Health.