Indigenous Cultural Wellness Counselor - Vancouver, Canada - Metro Vancouver Indigenous Services Society

Description

INDIGENOUS CULTURAL WELLNESS COUNSELOR & FACILITATOR

Full-Time, Term position to October 30, 2023

Vancouver, BC

WHO WE ARE
The Metro Vancouver Aboriginal Executive Council (MVAEC) is a vibrant organization with many urban Indigenous member organizations. The Metro Vancouver Indigenous Services Society (MVISS) is a subsidiary of the MVAEC.

As a result, teamwork and leadership is imperative, and the Indigenous Cultural Wellness Counsellor & Facilitator (ICWCF) requires structure, flexibility and clear decision-making.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Under the direction of the MVISS Program Director, the ICWCF will ensure the current developmental, treatment, and psycho-social needs of Indigenous people are met by actively participating in the provision of assessment and treatment through developing wellness programming that supports the clinical work provided to individuals.

The primary responsibility of this position is to provide Indigenous cultural programming supports that enhance the overall prevention, assessment, referral, clinical counselling, follow-up services, case management and counselling services for Indigenous people seeking support from the agency.

The ICWCF will ensure that cultural programming is consistent with the:

philosophy; approach; goals; and healing environment established by the Agency so as to ensure the social, emotional, spiritual and physical well-being of people served are provided with quality services using Indigenous cultures as the intervention and foundation.

A key element of this position will be to utilize Indigenous cultural and healing practices which are linking directly to: Elders, cultural advisors and traditional knowledge keepers as a means to bring healing and wellness to the persons served.

Please find specific responsibilities as it relates to this role:

• Provide cultural wellness counselling, facilitation and support to individuals, families and groups in the community, recognizing that a huge diversity exists in Metro Vancouver with almost every Indigenous tribal group from across Canada resides and potentially seeks MVISS services; provide cultural wellness counselling and facilitation in regards to the cause, symptoms and prevention strategies of various diagnoses that can affect cultural wellness; provide counselling in regards to the use and effects of alcohol and substance use; prepare needs and risk assessments; maintain a comprehensive understanding of crisis management and the impact of trauma on cultural wellness and substance use; provide outreach counselling in the community; accept and make referrals to outside agencies; maintain strict confidentiality in regards to all person served files, conversations and referrals; utilize the MVISS Electronic Management Record system so as to maintain all person served files in a timely manner.
• Coordinate and facilitate psychoeducational workshops on cultural wellness and substance use; contribute to funding proposals to enhance the services for cultural wellness and substance use programs and initiatives; and collaborate with the MVISS team to develop promotional materials and information for cultural wellness led initiatives.
• Act as a liaison to support treatment referrals for individuals through a cultural lens; arrange transportation for individuals to and from cultural programming and ceremonies as part of their case management plans; and utilize evaluation components to measure the effectiveness of MVISS cultural programs and services.
• Provide community engagement, outreach and capacity building exercises where required.
• Ensure the services are consistent with the: philosophy; approach; goals; and healing environment established by the Agency so as to ensure the social, emotional, spiritual and physical wellbeing of people served are provided with quality services using Indigenous cultures as the intervention and foundation.
• Respond to crises situations involving clients including assessing and addressing high risk behaviors such as selfharm, suicide, etc.
• Provide effective mental wellness and substance use services; setting program priorities; implementing planning and practice; and monitoring the status of cases referred to external agency programs and services.
• Provide written reports and ensure regular, appropriate documentation in client files in keeping with policies and procedures.
• All other duties as required of this position related to Indigenous cultural wellness as a means to facilitate healing for individuals, families and the community.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING

• A minimum 3years of experience in a related field and with various industry recognized cultural and wellness training modules.
• Demonstrated deep understanding of Indigenous healing and cultural practices grounded in Indigenous cultural frameworks.
• Experience working with individuals struggling with cultural identity, mental wellness challenges, and substance use.
• Experience working within a