Come work as a Lead (S1A) at Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) at Mental Health & Substance Use Consumer / Peer Based Services at Robert & Lily Lee Family Community Health Centre in Vancouver, BC! Apply now to join the team!

Within the context of a client and family-centred framework and continuum based care model and in accordance with established standards of professional practice and the vision and values of the organization, including Indigenous Cultural Safety, cultural humility and anti-racism principles, works as part of Vancouver Community Mental Health and Substance Use Services to strengthen and lead the consumer involvement and initiatives services/programs for community mental health and/or substance use services. Coordinates the daily activities of the program and supervises designated staff, acts as a resource for consumer involvement and initiative issues and promotes interdisciplinary collaboration and advocacy for client concerns including education, employment, consumer leadership, housing and income support. Provides education to mental health and/or substance use consumers, staff, family and physicians including peer counselling, support and information for consumer and client input to policy, service design and evaluation. Develops peer related educational materials and resources, collaborates, consults and builds linkages to coordinate existing programs and/or to develop new services, maintains budget information, contract information, statistical records and reports on various activities of the program. Coordinates and participates in team planning and quality improvement activities, participates in approved research and special projects and maintains and updates own knowledge.

Education & Experience

• Master’s degree in a related health science or social services discipline from a recognized program plus three (3) year’s recent related experience working with individuals with a mental health and/or substance use history, including one (1) years’ supervisory/administrative experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Personal identification as a person with lived/living experience (i.e., “Peer”) with a mental health and/or substance use challenge is preferred for this position.
• Valid BC Driver’s License and access to a personal vehicle for business-related purposes.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles of recovery in mental health and substance use and/or harm reduction.
• Comprehensive knowledge of consumer initiatives and involvement.
• Comprehensive knowledge of consumer and mainstream mental health and substance use resources and other community service providers.
• Comprehensive knowledge of legislation and government policies and procedures that relate to clients, including confidentially legislation.
• Broad knowledge of mental health, substance use and harm reduction issues and treatment approaches
• Broad knowledge of trauma informed practice and harm reduction approaches and strengths-based care.
• Demonstrated ability to promote Indigenous Cultural Safety.
• Demonstrated ability to provide competent and culturally safety care in a variety of settings and with diverse populations
• Broad knowledge of the principles of adult education and utilization of education tools and materials.
• Broad knowledge of research process and methodology.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with clients and their families, physicians, and other health care staff, both one-on-one and in groups.
• Demonstrated listening and information seeking skills that promotes communication and leads to a cooperative approach to problem solving.
• Demonstrated ability to provide supervision, leadership, consultation, and facilitation.
• Demonstrated ability to set priorities, organize work and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a member of consumer only, consumer, family and staff, and within an interdisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated ability to work with consumers including those from diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to adjust to new or unexpected events, problem solve and deal effectively with conflict situations.
• Ability to operate related equipment including applicable software applications.
• Demonstrated physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

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 familiesAward-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 BC’s Top Employers, Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and Canada's Top Employers for Young People in 2025.

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.