Child & Youth Outreach Counsellor

Job Description

In accordance with the Vision, Purpose, and Values, and strategic direction of Island Health (Vancouver Island Health Authority), patient and staff safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone; as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

Reporting to the Program Lead, Integrated Child and Youth Teams or Manager, the Child and Youth Outreach Counsellor provides triage, screening/assessment, urgent clinical response, short-term psychotherapeutic/stabilization services, exploration of community resources and client needs, liaison and coordination with other community services and participation in planning priorities for service primarily for children and youth experiencing mental health crisis. The Counselor utilizes a high level of skill in assessing and working with identified high-risk children and youth who experience a wide range of complicated mental, emotional, behavioural, physical, psychosocial, and environmental problems. Assesses the psychosocial and environmental needs or dysfunction secondary to, or exacerbating the psychiatric problems which might contribute to the risk of suicide.

Travel is a requirement of this position. Transportation arrangements must meet the operational requirements of Island Health in accordance with the service assignment and may require the use of a personal vehicle.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education, Training And Experience

Baccalaureate Degree in a health related discipline from an approved post-secondary institution. Eligible for registration with the appropriate Health Regulatory College and/or licensing body. Two (2) years' recent related experience in areas requiring frequent crisis intervention and risk assessment, understanding of mental health and substance use issues; psychiatric and suicide risk assessments, crisis intervention and response techniques and strategies, knowledge of available programs and services; knowledge of applicable legislation, such as the Mental Health Act, Child Protection legislation, Infants Act; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Valid BC Drivers' License.

Skills And Abilities

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to organize, coordinate, and prioritize own work.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and in partnership with other disciplines as part of a collaborative team
• Demonstrated and proven interpersonal and clinical skills, including crisis intervention, stabilization and de-escalation
• Demonstrated critical thinking and collaborative problem solving skills.
• Demonstrated judgment, good observation and client assessment skills, tact and empathy
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position
• Ability to work and make decisions under pressure
• Ability to work professionally and effectively with complex/at-risk clients
• Demonstrated ability in completion of documentation that is in compliance with professional, agency and legal requirements
• Demonstrated ability to deal effectively with conflict situations, manage aggressive behaviour and use non-violent crisis intervention and behavioural management techniques
• Ability to interact with others effectively, often in highly charged emotional states.
• Ability to operate a personal computer with a variety of windows based software and other office equipment

Link to Full Job Description

https://jd.viha.ca/JD5011.pdf