Youth Care Counsellor, Adolescent Psychiatry Unit; APU

Position: Youth Care Counsellor, Adolescent Psychiatry Unit (APU)

Detailed Overview

Under the general supervision of the Patient Care Coordinator, the position participates as a member of a multidisciplinary team, providing direct care and assessment to adolescents with serious mental health issues in a hospital based assessment program within established unit guidelines through methods such as delivering individual and group interventions, assessing behaviour, emotional and mental status, implementing care plans, and participating in patient meetings and rounds.

Responsibilities Assesses patients' behaviour, emotional and mental status, through the knowledge of mental health disorders. Monitors and assesses patients' ability to perform activities of daily living to ensure needs are consistently met. Develops and implements teaching interventions where necessary. Performs mental status exams as required and documents pertinent data. Develops, implements, evaluates, and revises care plans in conjunction with the multidisciplinary treatment team.

Documents pertinent patient information such as patient admission histories, intake assessments, progress notes, weekend pass outcomes, case conference summaries, and discharge summaries. Participates in patient meetings and presents individual patient cases in rounds/case conferences. Provides input towards strategies or interventions for the patient and families, and implements these interventions in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team. Collaborates with the multidisciplinary team in planning and implementing social/recreational, psycho-educational, and life skills groups for adolescents on the unit.

Provides support and one-to-one counselling to adolescents using a variety of strategies or techniques such as psycho-education, problem solving, de-escalation techniques, behavior management, conflict resolution, crisis intervention activity - based, and other appropriate interventions as required. Provides support and psycho-education to families as needed. Provides unit orientation to patients and families by methods such as reviewing procedures, protocols and programming.

In collaboration with the multidisciplinary team, plans outings for patients, including assessing patient needs and risk factors, and implementing safety protocols. Attends team and multidisciplinary meetings, case conferences, and clinical supervision as required. Assists classroom teacher with behavioural management in the unit classroom in accordance with established guidelines. In collaboration with the multidisciplinary team, provides consultation to community service providers on patient care, progress, and transitional planning for discharge.

Attends related in-service education programs as requested to maintain a high standard of knowledge. Transports patients by van on outings authorized by the clinical team and in accordance with unit guidelines, completes a vehicle safety check to ensure the vehicle is safe for use. Participates in quality improvement/program evaluation/research activities and implementation of evidence-based best practices in providing care to adolescents and their families.

Performs other related duties as required. Qualifications

Education and Experience Baccalaureate Degree in Child and Youth Care or a Baccalaureate Degree in an equivalent appropriate health related discipline. One year recent related experience working with youth with mental health issues in a multidisciplinary setting. Valid B.C. Class IV Driver's License (unrestricted).

Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of adolescent development and the broad range of issues pertaining to adolescent mental health. Demonstrated ability to work with adolescents with mental health/psychiatric issues. Ability to assess high risk factors associated with hospitalization, acute psychiatric illness, and the strengths, abilities and resources of adolescents and their families. Knowledge of behaviour management strategies and techniques. Demonstrated knowledge of relevant legislation including the B.C. Mental Health Act and the Child, Family and Community Service Act.

Ability to work in a high volume/high stress environment with strong conflict resolution and problem solving skills. Ability to work independently and collaboratively as a member of a multidisciplinary team. Ability to work effectively with others. Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. Ability to organize and prioritize work. Ability to operate related equipment, including driving a multi-passenger van.

Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position. About Fraser Health Fraser Health is the heart of health care for over two million people in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley in British Columbia, Canada, on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux Nations and is home to 32 First Nations within the Fraser Salish region.

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