Forensic Services Officer BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services
Coquitlam, BC

What is the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital?

The Forensic Psychiatric Hospital (FPH) is a 190-bed secure facility located in Coquitlam, B.C., on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded core territory of the kwikwəƛ̓əm First Nation (Kwikwetlem). We treat people who have been found not criminally responsible for a crime or unfit to stand trial due to a mental health disorder. We deliver services to patients using the “Clinical Program Model,” which aims to deliver high-quality care to meet the specific needs of patients and is currently the best practice in health care.

Watch this video to learn about working with BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services!

What you’ll do

• Provide safe and secure escort for court remanded and maximum security persons to other facilities, including secure facilities, hospitals and specialists outside of the hospital; assumes custody and transport persons in custody from outside agencies to the hospital; transport and escort persons to video courts, as required; searches all persons in custody prior to escort to ensure the person is not carrying any dangerous items and/or illegal substances to ensure the safety and protection to the public and employees of the other agencies.
• In support of the clinical risk assessment of in-custody patients, consult with clinical staff and other resources to determine the security risk and classification of in custody escorts including determining appropriate security precautions; applies restraining devices such as handcuffs, belts, leg irons and belly chains and/or other restraint devices or techniques as required when providing patient escort and security services; ensures required documentation is available for the escort of persons in custody.
• Respond to and investigate all instances of escape including the search and custody of persons who have escaped the hospital; work with local police in the event of an emergency security breaches and/or patient escapes; maintain building and ground security by incorporating regular patrols, maintaining and monitoring alarm systems, communication systems, safety and emergency equipment; provides staffing training in the use of alarm systems, procedures and selected restraint equipment; ensure only authorized vehicles enter and leave the facility.
• Interact with persons in custody in aggressive and/or volatile situations to diffuse the situation and reduce the escalation of aggression by utilizing appropriate de-escalation and safe non harmful control techniques consistent with existing policies and procedures to secure patients on escort who may become agitated in order to maintain custody and ensure the safety of the public.
• Provide direction to, and maintain custody of patients while in court; exchanges information with outside agencies such as Police, Fire Departments, Coroners Office, Sheriff Detachments and Corrections as appropriate; provides security services for BC Review Board members and other visitors such as court reporters, lawyers and other hospital staff; supports the multi-disciplinary planning and coordination of security plans for the transport of patients with other agencies for all high profile cases.

What you bring

Qualifications

• Grade 12, plus two (2) years recent related experience in a secure correctional or mental health facility, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

• Completion of a recognized defensive tactics course including training in the use of force, metal detection, search and seizure. Occupational First Aid Level 2.

• Eligible for appointment as a Special Provincial Constable. Current CPR certificate and valid BC Class IV Driver's license.

• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism and systemic racism on Indigenous Peoples within social and health contexts. This includes understanding how these factors contribute to current health disparities and barriers to care. Show a clear commitment to identifying, challenging, and eradicating Indigenous-specific racism and all forms of discrimination impacting equity-deserving groups within healthcare settings. This involves recognizing personal biases, institutional barriers, engaging in anti-racism education and training and advocating for systemic change.

• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments within BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services contexts found in the foundational documents including Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, BC Human Rights Code, Anti-racism Data Act and how they intersect across the health care system.

Core Competencies

• Brings an understanding of the Indigenous specific racism and the broader systemic racism that exists in the colonial health care structure, and has demonstrated leadership in breaking down barriers and ensuring an environment of belonging. Embed Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility into all aspects of work. This means creating an environment where Indigenous patients feel respected, valued, and understood. Foster trust through respectful communication, active listening, and honoring equity-deserving people's perspectives on health and wellness. Commit to ongoing education and training on Indigenous health issues, cultural safety, and DEI principles. Participate in workshops, cultural immersion experiences, and continuous professional development to stay informed and responsive to equity-deserving groups. Provide patient-centred care that respects Indigenous ways of knowing and healing, respects BIPOC experiences and world views ensuring that care plans are culturally relevant and holistic.
• Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (The Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.).

Skills and Knowledge

• Ability to exercise sound judgment and effective interpersonal skills including the ability to control and direct hostile/aggressive behaviour of persons in custody.

• Solid understanding of the use of force and applicable legislation as it relates to the able to retrain uncooperative, hostile or violent persons

• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position

• Demonstrates a commitment to beginning and continuing their personal learning journey related to Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as addressing racism more broadly. Shows willingness to articulate and share their learning experiences to contribute to a culture of motivation and inspiration among peers.

• Demonstrates foundational knowledge of the social, economic, and political realities of settler-colonialism and its impacts on Indigenous peoples and equity-deserving groups within social and health contexts. Understands the impact of social determinants of health-on-health outcomes. Shows a commitment to learning about and upholding legislative obligations and provincial commitments outlined in foundational documents such as the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan, Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, the BC Human Rights Code, Anti-Racism Data Act, and the Distinctions Based Approach.

What we bring

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.

• Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.

• Access to professional development opportunities through our 2,000+ in-house courses including a range of experience level, profession-specific, or other essential training on Indigenous Cultural Safety; Indigenous-specific anti-racism; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and accessibility, mental health and well-being, and more.

• PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).

• Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.

**Job Type:**Casual (0.01 FTE)
Wage:$29.82 per hour.

2% of the straight-time hourly rate of pay for employees working in Minimum and Medium security units and community settings; 4% of the straight-time hourly rate of pay for employees working in Maximum and Multi-level security units.
**Location:**70 Colony Farm Road, Coquitlam, BC V3C 5X9

What we do

BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services (BCMHSUS) cares for people with complex mental health and substance use challenges.

BCMHSUS program is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).

PHSA plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Cultivate partnerships – Serve with purpose.

PHSA and BCMHSUS are committed to employment equity, encouraging all qualified individuals to apply. We recognize that our ability to provide the best care for our diverse patient populations relies on a rich diversity of skills, knowledge, background and experience, and value a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment.

Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services

PHSA is committed to anti-racism and equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently excluded groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.

One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes ongoing commitments to Indigenous recruitment and employee experience as well as dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya’k̓ula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at indigenous.employment@phsa.ca.

Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and exclusion faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and title of BC First Nations and self-determination of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. PHSA is mandated to uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents including the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study.