Job Description

In order to be hired at Covenant House Vancouver as an employee, practicum student, or volunteer, candidates must provide evidence of full courses of Health-Canada approved vaccinations prior to starting their first shift.

About Covenant House

Since 1997, Covenant House Vancouver has provided essential and relentless support for youth experiencing, or at-risk of experiencing, homelessness. We provide support to youth ages 16 to 24 who have experienced a wide range of early life and ongoing, complex trauma including physical, sexual, emotional abuse, and neglect. Our purpose is to serve all youth with absolute respect and unconditional love, to help youth experiencing homelessness, and provide a safe and supportive environment for all youth in need.

The Impact a Clinical Counsellor with our Foundations Program can make:

As a Clinical Counsellor in our Foundations Program, you will provide client care to youth exhibiting mental health issues within at Covenant House Vancouver. This position will collaborate with interdisciplinary team members, educational resources and other related professionals in the community. The VCH Program is a residential stabilization program where we work with the principles of immediacy, sanctuary, value communication, structure, and choice. You will demonstrate absolute respect and unconditional love to youth that will support them to know their worth.
The VCH Program is a safe and non-judgmental environment where youth are supported to address every aspect of wellbeing \xe2\x80\x93 health, emotional, and spiritual. You will provide services from an attachment-based, harm reduction, culturally relevant, trauma-informed model of care. You will have the opportunity to build transformative relationship with youth and reduce the risks of street homelessness and substance use. Through relentless engagement, the CHV continuum of care connects with youth where they are at because we feel it should be \xe2\x80\x9cone size fits one\xe2\x80\x9d when it comes to supporting young people.

How you will contribute:

• Be responsible for direct implementation of, and adherence to, Covenant House philosophy, policy and procedures
• Maintain files and ensure documentation is valid, legal and up to date and is accordance with professional standards and requirements of the regulatory body
• Provide clinical counselling services to youth in stabilization beds in one to one and group settings
• Work in collaboration with the larger mental health team, coordinate intake and service provision of youth accessing CHV Stabilization Beds
• Provide an initial mental status exam and comprehensive assessment to determine a youth\xe2\x80\x99s mental health functioning and capacity to engage in supportive counselling services
• Provide a gate keeping and screening role for youth with mental health issues
• Provide psycho/social assessments
• Monitor mental status of youth while in Covenant House\xe2\x80\x99s care and provide brief and ongoing therapeutic services
• Liaise with community services/agencies and works collaboratively with these services
• Liaise with the Mental Health Team(s) and works collaboratively with these teams
• Responds to crisis situations and provides guidance to other staff on how to manage youth with mental health issues
• Participate in case review meetings, case consultations, case management and team meetings as needed
• Work together with other agency staff, provide and/or coordinate ongoing professional development training/reflective practice discussions to program departments as necessary
• Identify and participate in external Clinical Supervision as determined by the governing body
• Manage the collection of client statistical information \xe2\x80\x93 ensure data is accurate and complete
• Attend intra-agency and program related meetings as required
• Enter data into the Efforts to Outcome Database (ETO)
• Performs other related duties, as required

Who are we looking for?

Education and Experience:

• Masters Degree in Counselling, Psychology or Clinical Social Work
• Must be a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC or CCC) and/or Registered Clinical Social Worker
• 3 years of work experience in a clinical setting as a Clinical Counsellor or Concurrent Disorder Clinician
• Experience working with youth experiencing substance use disorder and/or misuse

Skills & Abilities:

• Working knowledge of the DSM V
• Sound knowledge of Substance Use Disorders, substance misuse and concurrent disorders.
• Sound understanding and experience of working with trauma and within a Trauma-Informed Practice framework
• Sound knowledge of crisis intervention and theory
• Sound knowledge of community resources pertaining to homeless use, substance use, harm reduction and trauma
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Sound knowledge of assessment, counseling and case management.
• Demonstrated training and experience treating individuals with substance misuse concerns, particularly youth.
• Awareness of issues facing culturally diverse populations
• Awareness of issues facing homeless youth, particularly those who are \xe2\x80\x9cstreet homeless\xe2\x80\x9d and/or addressing acute mental health concerns
• Working knowledge of integrated case management
• Willingness to work a flexible work schedule that accommodates the needs and schedules of homeless youth

Why Work for us? Would you like to \xe2\x80\xa6

• Be part of a team that makes a difference in the lives of youth in need
• Work with a multidisciplinary team of youth workers, social workers, clinical counsellors, mentorship and life skills coordinators, outreach, and housing workers
• Work safely with low youth to staff ratio
• Have generous Health & Dental Benefits, including substantial counselling benefits ($4,000 per year to ensure you are looking after you!), employee assistance program, excellent vacation (starting at 15 days per year!), personal and sick leave
• Access ongoing training and development to improve both professional and personal growth
• Attend an array of exciting team bonding exercises throughout the year
• An inclusive team that welcomes innovative ideas and creativity

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

CHV is committed to upholding diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workplace. We actively encourage applications from members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to equity, including, but not limited to:

• Persons from groups marginalized due to race, ancestry, colour, religion/spiritual beliefs, or place of origin;
• Persons with visible (physical) and/or invisible (mental) disabilities;
• Persons who identify as women;
• Persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions; and
• Indigenous persons.

We recognize that many of these identities intersect and that therefore, diversity, equity, and inclusion can be complex. We value the contributions that each person brings and are committed to ensuring full and equal participation for all at Covenant House Vancouver.
We love what we do and try to make a difference every day. If you are looking to join a place where we have a purpose and aim to achieve positive outcomes, please join us by applying.

The starting salary range for this position is $58,640.40 \xe2\x80\x93 $73,291.40 annually

If our recruitment process does not work for you, let us know. Let\xe2\x80\x99s see how we can work together to get to know you and see what might be a great fit!