Come work as a Group Therapist/Suicide Intervention Counsellor with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)!

Vancouver Coastal Health is looking for a Group Therapist/Suicide Intervention Counsellor with a Master's Degree in Social Work, Clinical Counselling, Counselling Psychology or other relevant discipline to join the Mental Health Outpatient Services team at the Joseph & Rosalie Segal Family Health Centre in Vancouver, BC. Apply today to join our team!

As a Group Therapist/Suicide Intervention Counsellor you will:

• Provide group therapy and psycho-education according to a variety of theoretical models based on target group.
• Review referrals to group therapy using interview and questionnaires to ensure suitability for treatment.
• Implement client outcome measures and group therapy evaluations to evaluate program and identify opportunities for change.
• Establish, maintain, and enhance therapeutic relationships based on respect for the client by seeking an understanding of the client’s perspective, learning needs and readiness to learn.
• Provide crisis intervention, suicide bereavement counselling and therapy to people who are in suicidal crisis, have attempted suicide, those concerned about a loved one who is suicidal and those bereaved by a suicide death.
• Initiate contact with suicide attempt/suicide risk clients.
• Provide treatment services and education to families of suicide victims; and aid client access to therapy services and provide input into care plans.
• Consult, confer and collaborate with multidisciplinary team members, educational resources and other health care professionals/providers to achieve excellence in health services and education.

Education & Experience

• Master's degree in Social Work, Clinical Counselling, Counselling Psychology or other relevant health related discipline.
• Three (3) years recent related clinical experience providing group or individual psychotherapy to clients who have a variety of mental health disorders (including but not limited to depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, concurrent disorders, suicidality, bereavement by suicide, suicide prevention) using a variety of theoretical approaches including dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavior therapy or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Registration with applicable College/governing body as appropriate.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles of recovery in mental illness.
• Comprehensive theoretical knowledge and clinical understanding of group dynamics and processes.
• Knowledge of mental illness and treatment.
• Knowledge of substance abuse and addictions treatment.
• Knowledge of psychotherapeutic and counselling skills, and psychoeducation.
• Knowledge of DSM 5 Diagnostic Classification System, the mental status examination, and case formulation.
• Knowledge of legislation, government policies and procedures that relate to the patient.
• Knowledge of other health disciplines and their role in healthcare.
• Working knowledge of crisis intervention and community resources.
• Demonstrated assessment, individual and group psychotherapy, and case coordination skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with individuals with diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to apply a variety of theoretical models to practice in facilitating groups.
• Demonstrated ability to plan & facilitate educational workshops for a diverse range of audiences
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated communication skills together with a client-centered approach to people experiencing problems in living including anxiety, depression, life-threatening stresses including trauma, suffering grief or loss through the suicide of a loved one.
• Sound interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively and cooperatively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Ability to work well under stress, show maturity, and good judgement.
• Ability to deal effectively and appropriately with a variety of critical situations involving suicidal behaviour or crisis.
• Ability to communicate effectively and to exercise tact and good judgement.
• Ability to prioritize, take initiative, be flexible, work independently, and use a cooperative approach to program delivery.
  Willingness to work with a culturally diverse population is required.
• Computer literacy to operate a computerized client care information system and word processing, spreadsheet, internet, and email.
• Ability to carry out the physical demands of the job.

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.