Youth and Family Counsellor, Mental Health Program

Job summary

Provides therapeutic, developmentally appropriate support and psychosocial care to children and youth with behavioural, emotional, and psychiatric needs, while collaborating with families and an interprofessional team. Maintains a safe therapeutic environment, contributes to care planning and crisis response, supports education and community integration, and transports patients as required.

Job details

Job Summary In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of Provincial Health Services Authority, patient safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA. As such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position. In a hospital based psychiatric assessment and treatment program, the Youth and Family Counsellor works collaboratively as part of an interprofessional team within an evidence based Trauma Informed model of care, to support all aspects of therapeutic care of patients with behavioural, emotional, and psychiatric problems and their families/caregivers. Under the direction of the Clinical Nurse Coordinator or designate, Youth and Family Counsellors are responsible for maintaining a physically and emotionally safe therapeutic milieu, providing activities and care appropriate to the child and adolescent’s stage of development, and transports patients to designated locations by operating the Centre’s vehicle. Youth and Family Counsellors are responsible for supportive counselling, and psychosocial assessment, including working with families/caregivers in accordance with established standards, policies and procedures. Duties/Accountabilities Assesses patients’ emotional and behavioural presentation, through the application of developmental theory, skills in Child and Youth Care, and trauma informed care. Communicates this assessment to the primary nurse and/or interprofessional team using appropriate methods including written documentation as per agency standards. Supports children and youth in lifespan development activities in the context of their psychiatric disorder, through supportive counselling, strategic interventions, psychosocial development, and guidance in activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing and therapeutic meal support. Participates and contributes to patient care plan development, treatment strategies and intervention development with the assigned primary nurse and the interprofessional team by methods such as reviewing patient progress, discussing potential changes with team, and adjusting care strategies accordingly. Implements treatment team strategies and interventions as approved by the primary nurse and interprofessional team. Collects and documents pertinent patient information related to patient admission, progress notes, weekend pass outcomes and transition planning as required. Participates in patient and family/caregivers meetings, rounds and case conferences as required. Establishes and maintains therapeutic milieu by using engagement interventions such as Collaborative Problem Solving, trauma informed strategies, attachment and self-regulation strategies, and through the application of child and youth care theory and practice. Maintains a physically and emotionally safe environment for all patients by assessing and identifying the need for intervention in crisis situations through a trauma informed lens. Implements actions and documents according to established crisis management policies and procedures of the organization. Enhances the child and family/caregivers capacity for social skill development and community integration by methods such as utilizing understanding of group process, and organizing, leading and/or participating in assigned groups, such as community meetings and social skills development groups. Assists in community integration and social skills development by acting as a role model to organize and actively participate in activities (such as recreational outings to the gym, park, and swimming facilities), driving the Centre’s vehicle as required, and others activities as assigned. Drives patients to designated locations as scheduled by operating the Centre’s passenger van. Assists clients with embarking and disembarking the vehicle. Conducts inspections of vehicle by checking oil, gas and fluid levels, tire condition and ensuring that lights and signals are functioning; cleans interior and exterior of vehicle after use; and maintains records of distances travelled, gas expenditures and inspections. Recommends vehicle and equipment repairs as required. Provides support and education to families/caregivers in the context of their child’s/youth’s psychosocial development and psychiatric disorder, through supportive counselling and strategic interventions. This may include participation in family education/support/ multi-family therapeutic groups as well as assisting individual family members/caregivers to support their child’s/youths treatment care plan through role modelling, encouragement and teaching. Supports the child/youth in the learning environment in collaboration with the Special Education Teacher and in accordance with the established classroom guidelines by facilitating successful transitions between unit milieu and classroom, and using established care plan strategies and interventions to provide emotional and academic encouragement. This may include supporting transitions from hospital classroom to the community classroom. Attends and participates in in-service education programs as requested in order to maintain a standard of knowledge relevant to assigned program areas. Attends mandatory education sessions such as CPR, CPI, and fire safety. Utilizes and maintains equipment and supplies within departmental guidelines and budgetary resources. Participates in quality improvement activities including reporting unsafe situations and reports as per provincial and organization’s policies and procedures. Performs other related duties as assigned. Qualifications Education, Training and Experience Baccalaureate in Child and Youth Care, or a Baccalaureate of Arts with a Major in Psychology or Clinical Counselling, that includes course content relevant to Child and Youth Mental Health such as Infant, Child, and Adolescent Development, Fundamentals of Clinical Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, and Group and Family Processes. Two (2) years’ recent related experience working in a child and youth setting. Valid Class 4 driver’s license. Current CPR certification. Skills And Abilities Broad knowledge of the normal growth and development of children and youth Basic knowledge of mental health disorders in children and youth. Broad knowledge of Trauma Informed Care including Collaborative Problem Solving. Broad Knowledge of Attachment and Self Regulation Theory and Strategies. Broad knowledge of and demonstrated ability in recognizing and managing transference and counter-transference. Broad knowledge of and demonstrated ability in engaging and supporting individuals, milieu, and group processes. Demonstrated initiative in providing and participating in age appropriate activities. Demonstrated ability to problem solve, adjust to new or unexpected events, and to deal effectively with conflict situations. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within a team environment. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. Demonstrated ability to organize work. Demonstrated ability to apply computer skills and operate related equipment. Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.

What you’ll do

Provides therapeutic, developmentally appropriate support and psychosocial care to children and youth with behavioural, emotional, and psychiatric needs, while collaborating with families and an interprofessional team. Maintains a safe therapeutic environment, contributes to care planning and crisis response, supports education and community integration, and transports patients as required.

Requirements

Requires a bachelor’s degree in Child and Youth Care or a relevant Arts degree with psychology or clinical counselling coursework, plus two years of recent experience in a child and youth setting. Also requires a valid Class 4 driver’s licence and current CPR certification, along with knowledge of child development, mental health, trauma-informed care, and effective teamwork and communication.

Listed skills

• crisis management · Preferred
• Group Facilitation · Preferred
• Interprofessional Collaboration · Preferred
• Conflict Resolution · Preferred
• CPR · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Child And Youth Mental Health
• Trauma-Informed Care
• Collaborative Problem Solving
• Psychosocial Assessment
• Supportive Counselling
• Crisis Management
• Therapeutic Milieu Management
• Family Support And Education
• Group Facilitation
• Child And Adolescent Development
• Attachment And Self-Regulation Strategies
• Interprofessional Collaboration
• Conflict Resolution
• Written And Verbal Communication
• Class 4 Driving
• CPR

Job areas

• Healthcare
• Social Services
• Education
• Transportation
• Security & Safety

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