Provide triage, screening/assessment, and urgent clinical response for children and youth experiencing mental health crises.
Deliver short-term psychotherapeutic/stabilization services and support crisis stabilization.
Explore community resources and client needs and coordinate liaison with other community services.
Participate in planning priorities for service primarily for children and youth experiencing mental health crisis.
As part of an all-ages crisis response team, support triage, screening/assessment and urgent clinical response for adults and seniors as needed.
Conduct comprehensive clinical and risk assessments and develop care plans.
Establish rapport and exercise independent clinical judgment.
Provide parent support and support individuals in emotional distress, under the influence of substances, or presenting with psychiatric/behavioural symptoms.
Complete required documentation in compliance with professional, agency and legal requirements.
Travel between multiple sites as required and use transportation arrangements meeting operational requirements
Requirements summary
Baccalaureate degree in a health-related discipline from an approved post-secondary institution.
Recognized post-basic education related to mental illness and/or substance use, plus two (2) years recent related experience requiring frequent crisis intervention and risk assessment (e.g., policing, crisis counseling, paramedic or similar).
Knowledge of mental health and alcohol/drug addiction issues, including psychiatric and suicide/homicide risk assessments and crisis intervention/response techniques.
Knowledge of applicable legislation (e.g., Mental Health Act, Child Protection legislation, Infants Act, Adult Guardianship Act) or equivalent combination of education/training/experience.
Valid BC Drivers License.
Demonstrated interpersonal and clinical skills including crisis intervention, stabilization, de-escalation and brief psychotherapy.
Ability to manage aggressive behaviour using non-violent crisis intervention and behavioural management techniques.
Ability to work effectively independently and collaboratively within an interdisciplinary crisis response team.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with clients, families, and healthcare staff.
Ability to complete documentation compliant with professional, agency and legal requirements
Baccalaureate Degree in a health related discipline from an approved post-secondary institutionRecognized post-basic education related to mental illness and/or substance usenon-violent crisis interventioncrisis interventionrisk assessmentteaching skillsde-escalationinterdisciplinary collaborationbrief psychotherapyorganizational and problem solving skillstriageurgent clinical responsevalid BC Drivers Licensescreening and assessmentshort-term psychotherapeutic stabilizationpsychiatric and suicide/homicide risk assessmentspsychiatric and addictions treatment methodologies
Job description
Close Date Jul. 5 2026 Location Pembroke Street Mental Health - MSHU (PSMH) - Victoria, BC V8T 1J5 CA (Primary) Work Area (FBA Only) Multi-Site No Travel Requirement Travel between multiple sites may be required Shift Start Time/End Time 1500-2300 Days Off Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday Vacancy Type Regular PT Salary Range (Hourly Rate) $44.85 - $56.02 Paid FTE 0.42 Worked BI-WEEKLY HOURS 30 Planned Start Date Jul. 18 2026 Approximate End Date (For Temporary Assignments ONLY) Pending Return of Incumbent No CRC required? (employee will be working with or have access to children or vulnerable adults and requires a Criminal Record Check) Yes
Job Description
In accordance with the Vision, Purpose, and Values, and strategic direction of Island Health (Vancouver Island Health Authority), patient and staff safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone; as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position. Under the general direction of the Program Coordinator of Child, Youth and Family Mental Health Crisis Services, and day to day supervision by the Program Coordinator or designate of the Integrated Mobile Crisis Response Team, and in collaboration with other health professionals, both internal and external, the Child & Youth Crisis Response Counsellor (CYC) works as a member of an interdisciplinary team, and within the organization s framework and standards, to provide triage, screening/assessment, urgent clinical response, short-term psychotherapeutic/stabilization services, exploration of community resources and client needs, liaison and coordination with other community services and participation in planning priorities for service primarily for children and youth experiencing mental health crisis. As a member of an all ages crisis response team the CYC may also be required to provide support for triage, screening/assessment and urgent clinical response for adults and seniors with mental health and substance use problems in order to facilitate team triaging. Travel may be a requirement of this position. Transportation arrangements must meet the operational requirements of VIHA in accordance with the service assignment and may require the use of a personal vehicle.
Qualifications
Education, Training And Experience Baccalaureate Degree in a health related discipline from an approved post-secondary institution. Recognized post-basic education related to mental illness and/or substance use; two (2) years' recent related experience in areas requiring frequent crisis intervention and risk assessment, such as policing, crisis counseling, paramedic or other similar work environment; understanding of mental health and alcohol and drug addiction issues; psychiatric and suicide/homicide risk assessments, psychiatric and addictions treatment methodologies, crisis intervention and response techniques and strategies, the change process, and community dynamics; knowledge of available programs and services, their interrelationships, and their function in delivering care in the community; knowledge of applicable legislation, such as the Mental Health Act, Child Protection legislation, Infants Act and the Adult Guardianship Act; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Valid BC Drivers License. Skills And Abilities
behavioural management techniques
documentation in compliance with professional, agency and legal requirements
communication with patients, families, colleagues, physicians and healthcare staff
workload prioritization and meeting critical deadlines
ability to adjust to changing clinical demands
knowledge of developmental theories and family dynamics
knowledge of community resources and access pathways
liaison and coordination with community services
computer literacy with Windows-based software and office equipment
Ability to work effectively both independently and in partnership with other disciplines as part of a collaborative and interdisciplinary crisis response team.
Demonstrated listening and information seeking skills that promote communication and lead to a co-operative approach to problem solving within an interdisciplinary setting.
Demonstrated and proven interpersonal and clinical skills, including crisis intervention, stabilization, de-escalation and brief psychotherapy.
Clinical understanding of serious psychiatric disorders, including those first diagnosed in childhood/adolescence.
Demonstrated organizational, problem solving and teaching skills.
Demonstrated judgment, good observation and client assessment skills, tact and empathy;
Comprehensive knowledge of developmental theories, family dynamics, treatment and behavior management modalities.
Broad and comprehensive knowledge of service delivery system for children and youth at risk at the local level
Ability to work professionally and effectively with complex/at-risk clients.
Ability to prioritize and organize workload to meet critical deadlines.
Demonstrated ability to adjust to new or unexpected events/changing clinical demands and to problem solve
Broad knowledge of other health care disciplines and their role in client care and a strong ability to foster good public relations,
Demonstrated ability in completion of documentation that is in compliance with professional, agency and legal requirements
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with patients and their families, colleagues, physicians, and other health care staff.
Demonstrated ability to deal effectively with conflict situations, manage aggressive behaviour and use non-violent crisis intervention and behavioural management techniques
Ability to operate a personal computer with a variety of windows based software and other office equipment. Link to Full Job Description https://jd.viha.ca/JD801.pdf Additional information for applicants This role is part of a multidisciplinary Crisis and Transitional Care team that provides community based, clinically led crisis response and short term transitional care. The team delivers mobile, in person assessment, brief stabilization, and follow up for individuals of all ages experiencing mental health, substance use, or situational crises. Applicants must have recent, direct experience supporting children, youth (up to age 24), and families with mental health, substance use, or behavioural concerns, including skills in risk assessment, crisis management, de escalation, and parent support. Knowledge of community resources and access pathways is essential. As part of a multidisciplinary team, this role will also respond to adult service requests as needed. The position requires the ability to establish rapport; conduct comprehensive clinical and risk assessments; develop care plans; and exercise strong independent clinical judgment. Experience supporting individuals in emotional distress, under the influence of substances, or presenting with psychiatric or behavioural symptoms is required. Additional Clauses Requisition CA Health Science Professionals Affiliation/Union HSA
In British Columbia, Child & Youth Crisis Response Counsellor roles are typically driven by ongoing need in mental health and substance use services, where employers look for staff who can respond quickly and assess risk in high-pressure situations. These positions are competitive because they require both a health-related degree and post-basic training, plus recent crisis intervention experience. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, then match your resume to crisis, risk assessment, and youth-focused experience before applying.
