Come work as a Concurrent Disorders Clinician with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) at the Adult Mental Health team in Bella Coola, BC. Apply now to join the team!

Within the context of a patient/client and family-centred framework and continuum-based 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 health issues. Provides culturally appropriate treatment and case management services in person and/or virtually for Indigenous peoples that are both inclusionary and flexible for individuals with mental illness, substance misuse or concurrent disorders to meet the holistic needs of the client and to provide access to services and integration across the care continuum. Provides independent substance use and mental health screening, comprehensive biopsychosocial-spiritual assessments and clinical impression related to DSM diagnosis; 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 including Indigenous communities where appropriate, 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 corporate 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.

ABOUT BELLA COOLA, BC

Bella Coola sits in a mountain valley at the head of the North Bentinck Channel, 500 km north of Vancouver, with a population of about 1800 people. The community is at the end of a long, truly magnificent fjord, on the mainland coast of British Columbia. Bella Coola General Hospital has 10 acute bed, 5 long term care beds and a 3 bed emergency department open 24/7, along with a laboratory, diagnostic imaging services, Telehealth, Mental Health, Public Health, Home & Community Support Services. Also within the hospital are a medical clinic and a pharmacy.

Education & Experience

• Masters' Degree in a Behavioural Health Science from a recognized program.
• Three years recent related experience working with Indigenous community health services as well as providing professional services to individuals who have problematic substance misuse and/or mental health illness or an equivalent combination of training, education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of psychotherapeutic and counselling skills.
• Broad Knowledge of Indigenous healing modalities.
• Broad knowledge of social issues impacting Indigenous people.
• Broad knowledge of Indigenous cultures.
• Broad knowledge of bio-psycho-social issues that may occur in response to changing mental health and alcohol and/or other substances.
• Broad knowledge of mental health and substance misuse disorders and their interaction.
• Broad knowledge of DSM IV diagnostic classification system and case formulation.
• 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.
• General 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 safe care in a variety of settings and with diverse populations.
• 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 misuse and mental health services, including working with specialty substance misus and mental health agencies, and other related professionals.
• Demonstrated ability to gather relevant information to make a multi-dimensional substance misuse and mental health assessment.
• Demonstrated ability to complete a psychiatric assessment, case formulation and, in consultation with the client, to create a treatment plan that addresses both substance misuse and any level of mental disorder.
• 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 computerized client care information system and word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, Internet and e-mail software.

This position is based out of Bella Coola, however, is primarily remote, and service is generally delivered in a virtual format following a regular shift schedule.
 
The successful candidate must be able to attend a VCH site as required for technical support and operational needs.Occasional travel to Bella Coola, a remote community, is required as part of the role. 
Travel will be arranged from Vancouver, with eligible expenses reimbursed in accordance with VCH policy and applicable collective agreement(s).
Successful applicants who reside outside of the VCH region must ensure they can meet these requirements and are responsible for any additional travel costs incurred from outside the VCH region. 

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, BC’s Top Employers, Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and Canada's Top Employers for Young People in 2026.

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.