Substance Use Clinician, Indigenous Health

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Fraser Health is responsible for the delivery of hospital and community-based health services to over 1.9 million people in 20 diverse communities from Burnaby to Fraser Canyon on the traditional territories of the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux Nations. Our team of nearly 45,000 medical staff and volunteers is dedicated to serving our patients, families and communities to deliver on our vision: Better health, best in health care.

Effective October 26th, 2021, all new hires to Fraser Health will need to have full COVID 19 vaccination (have received a full series of a World Health Organization “WHO” approved vaccine against infection by SARS-COV-2, or a combination of approved WHO vaccines). Please note this applies to all postings, and individual medical exemptions must be approved by the Provincial Health Officer.

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The Substance Use Clinician, Indigenous Health supports care coordination and system navigation across substance use services, local service areas, and regional and provincial services, with an emphasis on reducing barriers to re-enter the system of care and facilitating timely treatment and rapid re-engagement of clients where appropriate and feasible. This position provides focused support to Indigenous clients and their natural supports, as a member of the assigned team (Substance Use Services Access Team, Rapid Access to Addictions Care, or Integrated Response Team).

Provides culturally appropriate client and family-centered care through a trauma-informed approach and evidence-informed practice to Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals and families with alcohol and drug addictions, and with or without mental disorders. Working from a framework of cultural safety and humility, provides initial screening, client assessment, treatment recommendations and plans, determines referral needs, provides case management and follow-up support, provides therapy including group therapy, liaises regarding complex situations, provides group education, liaison with community resources for specialized services, and counsels clients, maintaining respect for client dignity and maximum client self-determination and independence in provision of services. Participates in local committees and internal and external case conferences, and develops and delivers in-services, presentations and training to clients, families and caregivers. Participates in the development of standardized documents, procedures and process, and contributes to the collation of data analytics. Participates in process improvement activities and follows clinical and customer best practices. May be required to work at more than one location.

1. Performs initial screening of referrals of individuals with a focus on those who identify as Indigenous from other health care providers/agencies, family members, physicians and other sources to determine appropriate treatment based on client needs, urgency of request and best practices.
2. Assesses client needs by gathering client information/history via phone interviews or other methods; seeking additional background information to perform initial assessment of client mental health status and risk to themselves or others and to determine priority of care, client eligibility, availability of resources, and service priorities; collaborating with the interdisciplinary team to determine best approach to care, assessing the need for emergent crisis intervention, and to facilitate virtual health connections.
3. Provides first level intervention and support until formal treatment or further assessment can be conducted, such as short term brief interventions, follow-up, monitoring, and evaluating treatment outcomes.
4. Provides short-term treatment/support and case management for complex situations including people in crisis through provision of services such as delivery of individual and group therapy to clients and families; developing and implementing recovery-oriented treatment options and plans through collaboration with clients and natural supports; providing comprehensive case consultation and follow-up support on treatment decisions in collaboration with other interdisciplinary team members.
5. Facilitates client utilization of appropriate community services and rehabilitative programs through methods such as considering the client's motivation and their stage in the treatment process, researching available services, liaising with service and program providers, providing advice and consultation to colleagues, and/or referring to other community resources as required.
6. Provides referrals to appropriate community treatment alternatives and services, including residential programs, family therapy, marital and separation counselling, alcohol and drug treatment, victim assistance, employee assistance programs, clubhouses, transition homes, vocational programs, and other agencies. Utilizes available community resources such as volunteers, community groups, alternate care services and other service agencies to develop supportive and rehabilitative programs for clients and their families.
7. Provides culturally appropriate education to clients with a focus on those who identify as Indigenous and their families, in accordance with theoretical models grounded in evidence-based practice, by exploring identified problems that may have resulted in substance use and mental health symptoms; identifying goals, expectations, and support resources; assisting with understanding of mental health and substance abuse issues, the interaction of both, and the recovery process; suggesting positive behaviour modifications; examining motivations for change; and, teaching relapse prevention strategies.
8. Provides short-term counseling to clients and families and provides information and guidance to other caregivers, health providers and the general public regarding the Mental Health & Substance Use Services, intake policies, procedures and processes, availability of both Community Health Services and Mental Health & Substance Use Services.
9. Maintains client records by recording information such as client assessments, charting client information via PARIS and/or other clinical information systems, preparing progress notes and reports in accordance with established standards, policies and procedures to meet regulatory requirements, documenting for future reference and ensuring that access to and disclosure of information and records are in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act.
10. Carries out responsibilities in accordance with health and safety requirements. Immediately reports unsafe situations by notifying supervisor or other appropriate personnel.
11. Develops linkages with other facilities and community resources, and advocates on behalf of the client and others to improve access, integration and coordination of mental health and substance use services, by way of establishing, maintaining and enhancing relationships/communication with community physicians, consulting psychiatrists, colleagues, community mental health services, acute hospitals, community services agencies, and other healthcare professionals.
12. Maintains relevant data and statistics on information such as intakes, requests, referrals in/out, priority, sources and nature of requests, and provides input to Coordinator and Manager.
13. Imparts knowledge and clinical expertise with other members of the team through collegial sharing of information such as provision of services within the context of an Indigenous health care perspective.
14. Promotes quality improvement through recommendations on policies, processes and procedures that streamline and provide for more efficient and effective client/family centred practices; develops and evaluates clinical protocols, identifies service needs and provides input and recommendations to the Clinical Coordinator and Manager.
15. Participates actively and collaboratively in team planning and team meetings, and participates in committees, working groups and/or corporate initiatives especially as it relates to improving the care of individuals who identify as Indigenous through discussions, presenting relevant material, acting as an advocate for the goals and objectives of the program, and promoting optimal support for clients, families and caregivers.
16. Maintains current knowledge of relevant Indigenous mental health and substance use disorders practice through methods such as reviewing literature and research, consulting with clinical and community experts within the field, evaluating clinical practice and participating in professional development activities, in-services, and/or case conferences in order to improve care through new practices.
17. Performs other related duties as assigned.

• Demonstrated knowledge of harm reduction, trauma-informed, recovery-oriented approach; concurrent disorders; addictions and addictions counselling.
• Demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of relevant Acts such as Mental Health Act, Freedom of Information Act, pertinent regulations, policies and procedures, and other statutory duties.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Indigenous cultural practices and beliefs, including awareness of traditional healing practices such as drumming, singing and smudge ceremonies.
• Comprehensive knowledge of psychiatric diagnosis and professional practice guidelines for the treatment of various disorders.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices and theories of clinical counselling/social work as applied to Indigenous populations.
• Knowledge of how Indigenous culture impacts the development of individuals and communities. Familiarity with residential school issues and the effects on First Nations people.
• Demonstrated ability in utilizing mental health and addictions standardized tools for client assessments.
• Demonstrated ability to develop consultative relationships with health professionals, counsellors, traditional healers and Elders.
• In-depth knowledge of community resources and strong collaborative skills in working with other community partners to inform the referral process, with particular application to Indigenous communities.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing including with Indigenous partners and First Nations communities.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals, groups, and interdisciplinary professionals through understanding the frameworks of other disciplines.
• Demonstrated ability to assess, plan, organize, implement, evaluate and problem-solve, and organize and prioritize workload in a complex environment.
• Ability to effectively develop, coordinate and deliver in-services, education, presentations, psycho-educational and support groups and consultation to clients, families and healthcare professionals.
• Demonstrated therapeutic skills in the areas of case management, individual and group therapy with adults with various mental disorders including concurrent disorders.
• Ability to deliver culturally sensitive services to Indigenous populations.
• Proficiency in the use of personal computers, including related word processing, database management software applications, and use of technology to facilitate virtual health services.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.