Mental Health Consultant in Calgary

Employment Type: Temporary until March 2028

Hours: 0.80 FTE (32 hours per week)

Summary of Position

Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network (PCN) is a group of family physicians and health care professionals in northwest Calgary and Cochrane collaborating with various external stakeholders to deliver the best possible primary care. Calgary Foothills PCN has established a team environment where individuals are encouraged to take initiative, be creative and contribute to ongoing decision-making. Reporting to the Program Manager, the Mental Health Consultant will support the One-Step-at-a-Time Counselling Service (OSAT). The OSAT program provides no fee, single-session counselling to people 18 years and older, couples and families. This service provides support for people experiencing varying degrees of mental health challenges, emotional distress, difficult circumstances and intense interpersonal conflicts. It is patient focused and patient lead. Clinicians bring a broad spectrum of theoretical approaches, skills sets and knowledge to best assist the patient in their treatment journey.

Key Responsibilities

• Providing one-on-one and/or group appointments
• Working with patients on self-management by providing coaching and education to help advance their skills, knowledge and self-efficacy in adopting healthy lifestyle behaviours that are meaningful to them
• Evaluating crisis situations and apply appropriate interventions
• Providing single-session counselling appointments to individuals, couples and families
• Collaborating with other team members to help patients navigate the health care system
• Connecting patients to applicable PCN, community and health system resources, including to specialized or longer-term mental health services
• Promoting continuity of patient care through effective written and verbal communication with the Medical Home and those involved in the circle of care
• Participating in the development, delivery, evaluation and quality improvement of PCN programs
• Collecting and maintaining data for service indicators, progress reports and evaluations
• Adhering to and performing activities and care within the full scope of practice as defined under the Health Professions Act

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Prefer experience with the following therapy models: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Single Session model
• Experience in dealing with health care issues, behavioural medicine and evidenced-based treatments for medical and mental health conditions an asset
• Ability to work well in a team setting and independently
• Experience with trauma informed care
• Excellent communication (written and verbal), organization and critical thinking skills
• Strong skills in collaborating with team members and physicians
• Ability to prioritize, manage time effectively and be flexible in a very dynamic work environment
• Strong awareness of health and community resources
• Good computer skills are required
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings/weekends, when required
• Accepts, implements and evaluates change with a positive attitude

Qualifications

• Minimum education of master's degree and active registration in one of the following professions: Social worker with authorization, or eligible experience for authorization, to perform restricted psychosocial interventions; Psychologist with clinical/counselling specialty or equivalent education/experience
• Must possess a valid driver's license and have access to a reliable vehicle

Employment Requirements:

• Completion of a satisfactory criminal record check and/or Vulnerable Sector Search

Diversity & Inclusion

Our PCN strongly believes in sustaining an inclusive, respectful and equitable working environment that represents the communities we serve. We are committed to a merit-based selection process that ensures all candidates are considered. We invite people of all ethnic backgrounds, ancestry, religious beliefs, sex, gender identities and expressions, sexual orientation, ages, marital status, family status, genetic characteristics and disabilities to apply for positions within our PCN.

Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation

As part of our ongoing commitment to advancing reconciliation and supporting Indigenous communities, we actively uphold Call to Action 23 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. We are dedicated to increasing the recruitment and retention of Indigenous professionals across all levels of our organization, particularly in health and wellness roles and encourage individuals of Indigenous ancestry to apply. In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that we live, work and play on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut'ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, as well as districts 4, 5 and 6 of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.