Psychologist Assistant, Forensic Psychiatric Nanaimo Regional Clinic - Nanaimo, BC

Psychologist Assistant, Minimum and Medium Security Units

BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services

Nanaimo, BC

What is Forensics?

Forensic Psychiatric Regional Clinics and Programs are for people with a mental health and/or substance use disorder who have come into contact with the law. The courts may refer them to one of our regional clinics for assessment and treatment. We believe that people, when properly supported, have the ability to manage most aspects of their lives. We focus on people's strengths and resources instead of on symptoms and problems. They are a key member of their treatment team and an active participant in their own care. We help them get the care, support, and treatment they need.

Watch this video to learn about working with BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services!

Why the Island?

Nanaimo is located mid-island on Vancouver Island, and offers beautiful harbour views and waterfront tourism with a plethora of boating and water sports. As a regional centre for the area, the city offers shopping, post-secondary schools, ferry terminals to Vancouver, and multi-season opportunities to enjoy an active, outdoorsy lifestyle.

What you’ll do

• Administer and score self-report inventories (e.g., MMPI-2, MCMI-IV), neuropsychological screening batteries (e.g. WAIS-IV, WMS-IV), and tests (e.g. CVLT-II, WCST) by using standardized administration procedures, objective scoring procedures, and knowledge at the Undergraduate level on psychological testing within a criminal justice context.
• Provide the Forensic Psychologist with verbal and/or written descriptions of the client’s behaviour during testing by observing client’s behaviour such as his or her affect, motivation, response to failure and success, and any evidence of perceptual disturbances or bizarre behavior.
• Administer specialized forensic assessment measures as directed by the Forensic Psychologist to assist with assessing risk and treatment needs of an individual currently subject to criminal justice proceedings (i.e. Court disposition and BC Review Board hearing). Scope of assessments may include the determination of risk to reoffend, malingering and other pathological considerations relevant in the completion of a comprehensive forensic psychological assessment.
• Prepare and maintain a variety of records, reports, and charts according to established procedures by documenting test results, noting clearly any observations on clients behaviour, and working closely with Forensic Psychologist and Regional Clinic Manager/Director Rehabilitation Services,
• Participate in educational meetings, forensic psychology staff meetings, and may attend treatment team conferences.
• Participate in research activities as requested by methods such as conducting literature reviews, assisting with the preparation and submission of research applications to Research Ethics Boards, and assisting with the preparation and submission of research funding applications to funding agencies.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

What you bring

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology.
• Recognized training and/ or experience in administering a wide variety of psychodiagnostic tests.
• Specialized academic course and experience in forensic psychology including risk assessment and risk management for specific areas of offending (i.e. sexual assault, spousal assault and violence).
• Valid BC Drivers License. Local area travel may require the use of a personal vehicle.

Skills & Knowledge

• General knowledge at the Undergraduate level on psychological testing and psychopathology especially in the context of the criminal justice system.
• Demonstrated ability to relate well with others and with a multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and to prioritize workload.
• Demonstrated ability to adjust to new or unexpected events, problem-solve, and effectively deal with conflict situations.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in collaboration with others.
• Ability to operate related equipment including basic knowledge of computer software I.e. Windows, MS Word.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.
• Commitment to develop knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents – including Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study – and how they intersect across the health care system.
• Commitment to upholding the shared responsibility of creating lasting and meaningful reconciliation in Canada as per TRC (2015) and BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019).
• As a strong asset for consideration, we are looking for our successful candidate to have: Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (The Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.).

What we bring

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.

• Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
• Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles.
• Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
• Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
• PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
• Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.

Job Type: Temporary, Part-Time (0.20 FTE; Until August 3, 2026)
Wage: $36.59 - $45.66/hour

2% of the straight-time hourly rate of pay for employees working in Minimum and Medium security units and community settings; 4% of the straight-time hourly rate of pay for employees working in Maximum and Multi-level security units.

Location 190 Wallace Street Nanaimo, BC V9R 5B1
Hours of Work: 1 day per week (Monday – Friday); 0830-1630

Requisition # 176125E

** Please indicate in your cover letter why you are interested in joining our team at Forensic Psychiatric Regional Clinics in Nanaimo!

What we do

BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services (BCMHSUS) cares for people with complex mental health and substance use challenges.

BCMHSUS is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).

The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Cultivate partnerships – Serve with purpose.

Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services

PHSA and BCMHSUS are committed to equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently marginalized groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.

One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya'kula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at indigenous.employment@phsa.ca.

Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and marginalization faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and self-determination of Indigenous communities. PHSA must uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents such as including Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study.

ATTN: PHSA Employees:

To be considered as a PHSA employee (internal applicant) for this position, you must apply online via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca

Please note the internal job posting will no longer be accessible after the expiry date of December 19, 2024. If the internal job posting has expired, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk and advise that you would like to be considered as a late internal applicant for this position. Please do not apply for the external job posting.

If you have not registered your internal profile, a password is required to log in for the first time. To obtain your password, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk at 604-875-7264 or 1-855-875-7264. Please note regular business hours are Monday – Friday (excluding stats), 8:30am to 4:30pm. For inquiries outside of regular business hours, please email the Internal Jobs Help Desk at internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca and a Help Desk Representative will contact you the next business day.