Team Leader, Indigenous Health Crisis Response

Come work as a Team Leader, Indigenous Health Crisis Response with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)!

Vancouver Coastal Health is committed to improving the health and access to culturally safe healthcare of the Indigenous people in our region, and we recognize that we all have a contribution to make in reconciliation and healing. VCH’s Indigenous Health team works with staff and physicians across all programs and departments to provide strategic leadership, partner collaboration and community engagement to assist VCH to become a more culturally competent and safe organization.

Within the context of a person, family, and community centred, trauma and violence-informed, and culturally safe-care model, and in accordance with established vision and values of the organization, the Team Lead works as part of multidisciplinary community team to lead moderate de-escalation crisis intervention support to individuals with severe mental illness, addictions and/or chronic conditions.

The Team Leader ensures services provide a high standard of culturally safe care and works within a multidisciplinary team to assess high risk situations and provide crisis intervention support, adjusting to client’s care plan and meet the client’s need for integrated services and continuity of care across the continuum. Determines priority of care requirements based on client needs, availability of resources and best practices. Develops strengths-based policies and procedures. Oversees and coordinates the delivery of crisis intervention services/supports/daily activities of the team, participates in case planning; and provides leadership/supervision to designated staff. With support from the Manager, utilizes human resources policies and procedures to recruit and select staff; coordinates requests for vacation, education and leaves of absence. The Team Leader works across Vancouver Community services, and liaises with the local Indigenous community, Indigenous serving organizations, community resources, and healthcare providers to assist clients to access support services as appropriate.

This position is part of the new Indigenous Crisis Response Team (ICRT) at VCH. The ICRT provides a non-police crisis response outreach services to individuals in the inner city who are experiencing a mental health and/or substance use crisis that cannot be resolved by their regular care provider or alternate crisis services. ICRT is a voluntary, non-police healthcare service that leads with cultural safety and sees individuals in encampments, shelters, or in their homes.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

• Current full registration with the applicable professional College or professional association and Degree in a recognized health sciences profession supplemented
• Five (5) years’ recent, related experience working in Indigenous-led or First Nations organizations providing mental health and substance use clinical services in community-based settings for designated program or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Valid BC Driver’s License.
• Pursuant to Section 41 of the British Columbia Human Rights Code, preference will be given to individuals of Indigenous identity (First Nations, Inuit, Metis).

Knowledge & Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge and demonstrated ability to provide culturally safe care, has completed Indigenous Cultural Safety Training.
• Demonstrated understanding and in-depth knowledge of First Nations, Inuit, and M�tis Peoples and history.
• Demonstrated understanding of provincial and federal guiding principles and documents, for example In Plain Sight report, and calls to action to eliminate systemic racism in the health care sector.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and recognize current health care system gaps and barriers for Indigenous individuals and communities seeking health care.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and recognize power inequities within the healthcare system associated with ongoing impacts of colonialism.
• Knowledge of the Mental Health Act as it applies to the rights and obligations of clients and staff.
• Demonstrated ability to identify suicidal ideation and basic intervention.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles of recovery in mental health and substance use.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in Trauma and Violence Informed Practice.
• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to apply a Harm Reduction approach to care.
• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to integrate culturally appropriate interventions and practices into care.
• Demonstrated understanding of health care ethics and ability to apply ethical decision making in practice.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct comprehensive risk assessments.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct mental health and substance use assessments, and to provide treatment planning and case coordination.
• Broad knowledge of other health disciplines and their role in healthcare.
• Broad knowledge of counselling skills and clinical practice models.
• Broad knowledge of mental health, primary care and substance use service delivery system, service mandates, referral guidelines, legislation, and government policies.
• Demonstrated ability to function as an effective team leader, motivator, coach/mentor, and team member within a multidisciplinary setting.
• Demonstrated ability to model and foster a positive, collaborative, and respectful team working environment, where individual competencies can thrive.
• Demonstrated ability to provide clinical and administrative supervision and consultation.
• Demonstrated skills and ability to facilitate team building and to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Demonstrated ability to adjust to new or unexpected events, problem solve, and deal effectively with and/or guide others in resolution of conflict issues using restorative justice approaches.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with clients and their families, colleagues, physician, and other health care staff, both one-on-one and in groups.
• Demonstrated listening and information seeking skills that promotes open and direct communication and leads to a cooperative approach to problem solving.
• Demonstrated ability to set priorities, organize work, and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with Indigenous serving organizations, community partners and with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to operate related equipment.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
• Basic computer literacy to operate a computerized client care information system and word processing, spreadsheet, Internet, and e-mail software.
  
  

If you are looking to relocate, short term temporary housing may be available along with access to Talent Acquisition’s relocation program, including support from the relocation specialist to find a permanent residence and potential reimbursement. Hybrid work schedules may be available (including both on site & remote) as applicable (with existing VCH policies and collective agreement requirements), where a rotation can be discussed, as well as travel, transport & housing options.

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 the current Public Health Orders, as of October 5, 2023, all employees working for Vancouver Coastal Health must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or have received a single dose of the most-recent, updated COVID-19 vaccine. Proof of vaccination status will be required.

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

Equity, diversity, and inclusion are essential to our goals of creating a great place to work and delivering exceptional care. We acknowledge and accommodate unique differences and ensure special measures are in place so that all prospective and current employees are given an opportunity to succeed.

We are committed to building a representative workforce and encourage applications reflecting diversity of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization or ancestry, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

Vancouver Coastal Health is proud to be recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers in 2024.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for this posting.