Social Worker, Indigenous Health Program, Psychiatry Clinic - BC Children's & Women's Hospital and Health Centre

Social Worker, Indigenous Health Program, Psychiatry Clinic

BC Children's & Women's Hospital and Health Centre

Vancouver, BC

Pursuant to Section 42 of the British Columbia Human Rights Code, preference will be given to applicants of Indigenous Ancestry.

What you'll do

• Conduct comprehensive psychosocial and family assessments by methods such as interviewing the patient and family, obtaining relevant information, gathering social data regarding the patient and family and formulation of assessment and plan of intervention, in accordance with professional practice standards and clinical policies.
• Support patient and their family by understanding the nature and treatment of the presenting issues by providing education, short-term counseling and crisis intervention to families and other relevant caregivers, organizing and facilitating psycho-educational.
• Provide proactive, holistic support for Indigenous patients, parents, family/supporters while building and maintaining relationships.
• Facilitate in complex discharge planning with the team, patient, family and community agencies by coordinating regular meetings to ensure psycho-social follow-up; staying connected with patient and family once discharged from the BC Women's Hospital and/or BC Children's Hospital and ensuring care plans are coordinated with appropriate referrals and resources regardless of the health authority or municipal jurisdiction to which the patient is being discharged.
• Establish and maintain effective collaborative and constructive liaison relationships with a variety of individuals and groups, including patients and families, community providers, MCFD and Indigenous delegated agency social workers, schools, hospitals police agencies, other health authority leads and front line workers, on and off reserve health agencies/centers, and other agencies, in order to coordinate services across the continuum of health care.
• Participate in program planning and development as part of an inter-professional team within Children's & Women's Hospital and the continuum of health care. Identify, promote and participate in program planning strategies to enhance system processes and resources for patients and their families.
• Promote Indigenous centered and family centered care by participating in relevant committee work within the Social Work discipline, specialized program, hospital setting, and/or continuum of health care.
• Act in public relations and advocacy capacity to represent Indigenous Health to medical staff and other service providers, and to community agencies and their staff by maintaining up to date knowledge of Indigenous Health; provide consultation to staff for the purpose of enhancing knowledge of Indigenous cultures, contemporary social issues and health beliefs; provide information on social and health services available in the communities for Indigenous peoples; participate in committees that integrate Indigenous Health with hospital and community programs by providing input and addressing Indigenous Health.

What you bring

Qualifications

• Preferred hiring for Indigenous qualified candidates as approved under Special Program Status, BC Human Rights Commission
• Master's Degree in Social Work from an accredited School of Social Work.
• Minimum 1 year recent related experience with patient and their family with a health condition relevant to the service area within BC Women's Hospital & Health Centre and/or the BC Children's hospital including clinical skills in crisis intervention, assessment, short-term counseling; must have experience in mental health, child protection, child development, women's issues, intimate partner violence, harm reduction model and grief and loss in a health care or hospital setting; or an equivalent combination of education, training or experience.
• Current full registration with the British Columbia College of Social Workers.
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism and systemic racism on Indigenous Peoples within social and health contexts. This includes understanding how these factors contribute to current health disparities and barriers to care. Show a clear commitment to identifying, challenging, and eradicating Indigenous-specific racism and all forms of discrimination impacting equity-deserving groups within healthcare settings. This involves recognizing personal biases, institutional barriers, engaging in anti-racism education and training and advocating for systemic change.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments within CW contexts 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, BC Human Rights Code, Anti-racism Data Act and how they intersect across the health care system.

Core Competencies

• Brings an understanding of the Indigenous specific racism and the broader systemic racism that exists in the colonial health care structure, and has demonstrated leadership in breaking down barriers and ensuring an environment of belonging. Embed Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility into all aspects of work. This means creating an environment where Indigenous patients feel respected, valued, and understood. Foster trust through respectful communication, active listening, and honoring equity-deserving people's perspectives on health and wellness. Commit to ongoing education and training on Indigenous health issues, cultural safety, and DEI principles. Participate in workshops, cultural immersion experiences, and continuous professional development to stay informed and responsive to equity-deserving groups. Provide patient-centred care that respects Indigenous ways of knowing and healing, respects BIPOC experiences and world views ensuring that care plans are culturally relevant and holistic.
• 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.).

Skills & Knowledge

• Comprehensive knowledge of Social Work theory and practice.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct and document a comprehensive psychosocial assessment.
• Knowledge of the psychosocial needs of women and families with health and/or mental health conditions.
• Knowledge of and experience with Indigenous centered care and unique needs of Indigenous populations and health services, in alignment with Paige's Story (2015) and the Truth and Reconciliation Call To Action report (2015).
• Knowledge of specific resources for Indigenous patients and families, i.e. First Nations Health Authority, Métis Family Services, VACFSS and other delegated Aboriginal child and family services, Community Health Centre's/Clinics on and off reserve, etc.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Indigenous history, cultures, communities, cultural interference, social determinants of health, and Indigenous health policy and direction.
• Knowledge of child protection issues and relevant legislation concerning children, consents and FOIPPA.
• Knowledge of formalized agreements between C&W and MCFD relevant to child protection protocols and other formal agreements with community agencies.
• Knowledge of C&W guidelines such as, Children and Youth at Risk for Abuse and Neglect and Child and Family Community Services Act.
• Knowledgeable of adoption legislation and related clinical guidelines.

• Demonstrates a commitment to beginning and continuing their personal learning journey related to Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as addressing racism more broadly. Shows willingness to articulate and share their learning experiences to contribute to a culture of motivation and inspiration among peers.
• Demonstrates foundational knowledge of the social, economic, and political realities of settler-colonialism and its impacts on Indigenous peoples and equity-deserving groups within social and health contexts. Understands the impact of social determinants of health-on-health outcomes. Shows a commitment to learning about and upholding legislative obligations and provincial commitments outlined in foundational documents such as the 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, Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, the BC Human Rights Code, Anti-Racism Data Act, and the Distinctions Based Approach.

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, Full-Time (until November 25, 2026)

Wage: $42.27 - $52.81/hour
Location: 4500 Oak Street, Vancouver BC, V6H 2N9
Hours of Work: Variable hours/days
Requisition # 180594E

What we do

BC Children's Hospital (BCCH) provides care for the most seriously ill or injured children and youth from across British Columbia.

BC Women's Hospital & Health Centre (BCW) is dedicated to improving the health of women, newborns and families through a comprehensive range of services, research and education

BCCH and BCW are 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, BCCH and BCW is 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.

Attention current employees of PHSA:

You must apply via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca.

The internal job posting expires on March 16, 2025 and will no longer be accessible. If the internal job posting has expired, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca with the six-digit job requisition number and your PHSA employee ID number to be considered as a late internal applicant. Please do not apply for the external job posting.

If you have not yet set up an internal profile, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca with your PHSA employee ID number to obtain your temporary password. Our business hours are Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm, excluding Statutory Holidays and a Help Desk Representative will respond to you with 1-2 business days.

If you are not a current employee of PHSA and require assistance with your application, please contact the External Careers team at careers@phsa.ca.