Agency Profile:

Housing First is a recovery-oriented supportive housing approach that operates on the principle that homeless people living with mental illness should be offered immediate access to rent supplements so they can live in the same kinds of permanent independent apartments that are typically available to people without mental illness, and that housing should be provided without requiring participation in psychiatric or substance use treatment. Self-determination, choice and harm reduction are at the centre of all considerations with respect to the provision of housing and support services.

Clients are offered the supports and clinical services of a full service Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team including medical, counselling and community supports. ACT is a well-researched evidence-based transdisciplinary model. Crisis support is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Program staff are closely involved in hospital admissions and discharges.

Job Description:

Reporting to the ACT Team Leader, the Clinical Coordinator (CC) shares responsibility for the daily operation and clinical supervision of a trans-disciplinary Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team whose purpose is to meet the housing, treatment and recovery needs of homeless people living with a serious mental illness and substance abuse issues. Along with the Team Leader and psychiatrist, the CC is the lead clinician in the area of community mental health and builds the capacity of the team by coaching, teaching and creating opportunities for in-services and cross-disciplinary learning. The CC supports the Team Leader in ensuring that the team meets fidelity standards for the ACT model, and that the agency’s values and philosophy of self-determination/choice, harm reduction and recovery are expressed in all aspects of team practice. The CC demonstrates leadership by developing a collaborative trans-disciplinary practice that is flexible and dynamic so as to meet the needs of people who have not been well served by traditional mental health services. The CC is also responsible for coordinating care with inpatient treatment and community resources, and provides direct services to clients.

The CC shares responsibility with the Team Leader for hiring, dismissal, discipline and performance evaluation of direct service staff. The CC is part of the management team

Qualifications:

• Masters degree in a clinical specialty from a recognized program; or Baccalaureate of Nursing or Health Sciences (Psychiatric Nursing).
• Minimum five (5) years community mental health experience.
• Supervisory or management experience and training is preferred.
• Experience and knowledge of evidence based practices and mental health recovery models, including strengths-based case management.
• Experience with assessment and treatment of urban homeless populations with serious mental illness, substance addiction and complex health conditions.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Mental Health Act, ACT model, psychopharmacological interventions and psychiatric disorders, integrated concurrent disorders treatment, harm reduction, motivational interviewing, and anti-oppressive practice.
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Member in good standing of a professional association.
• Valid B.C. Driver's license and full time use of a reliable vehicle

We welcome applications from members of a visible minority, aboriginal persons, or people with lived experience of mental illness or substance use.