Who We Are

The Mikisew Cree First Nation (Mikisew) has lived on the ancestral lands of the Athabasca Delta and Wood Buffalo National Park in northeastern Alberta since time immemorial. The lives of our members are linked to the land and to a close understanding of traditions, history and a natural way of life. Many of our members live in the hamlet of Fort Chipewyan, and our traditional lands range over a large portion of Athabasca oil sands deposits. For nearly 30 years,Mikisew Group, our wholly owned business arm, has worked toward the long-term, sustainable economic progress of our Nation and its members through employment and significant investments in education, training, social programs and infrastructure.

Who You Are

Mikisew is currently seeking a dedicated and compassionate Mental Health Social Worker . The Mental Health Social Worker is responsible for supporting members of the Mikisew Cree First Nation and their familiesboth on and off reserveby ensuring access to high-quality, culturally appropriate health and wellness services. This role focuses on promoting mental health, enhancing well-being, and connecting individuals with the resources they need in a respectful and inclusive manner.

This position is a hybrid position, split between Fort Chipewyan & Fort McMurray, AB.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Foster connections with other health and mental wellness professionals, patient navigators, community support workers, and counsellors in the community to provide effective and holistic services to ensure the best possible service delivery for clients.
• Address system barriers and challenges to accessing care to ensure the effective delivery of inclusive, compassionate, culturally safe, trauma-informed and client-centered care.
• Build relationships with health and social agencies and provide education and training on cultural safety, cultural humility and factors that affect patient health care.
• Provide client and community education on treatment centers processes.
• Advocate to facilitate referrals, aftercare, and treatment services (active State of Local Emergency).
• Conduct mental health assessments, crisis triage consulting with AHS and hospital consultants for suicide attempts/ideation and find supports for individual(s).
• Complete safety plans, danger assessments and other necessary assessments to help maintain client safety and guide client management.
• Maintain accurate statistical information, attend department meetings, submit monthly activity reports and complete funding reporting requirements.
• Provide education on end-of-life discussions, palliative program support and grief and loss.
• Identify member needs and make recommendations to the Health Director to support program development.
• Work with the Health Director to ensure that safety policies and procedures are in place and that a method of documentation is established.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant legislative and policy requirements, including privacy legislation.
• Always maintain a high level of client privacy and confidentiality in all interactions, including the security of personal health information.
• Participate in committees and activities that promote members health and wellness, including supporting new initiatives and implementing best practices.
• Participate in ongoing professional development activities as time and financial resources permit.
• Demonstrate sound work ethics and professional integrity.
• Exhibit a positive and professional demeanor in all situations.
• Ability to deal with confidential and sensitive information and issues and maintain professional and personal boundaries.
• Willingness to participate in on-the-job ongoing training and take outside training related to the position.
• Other duties relevant to the position, as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in social work from a recognized post-secondary institution. A Masters degree in social work is an asset.
• Must be a Registered Social Worker in Alberta, be in good standing with the accredited professional body, and be able to provide proof of certification.
• A minimum of five (5) years of career experience providing counselling services.
• Progressive management and staff supervisory experience are assets.
• Additional training in non-violent crisis intervention, conflict management, trauma-informed care, grief and loss therapy, cognitive behaviour therapy and resolution practices is an asset.
• Current Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), and valid First Aid and CPR certification.
• Experience working with youth, young adults and families in mental health settings (clinical or other), including experience working with Indigenous populations and in First Nations communities.
• Knowledge of Adverse Childhood Experiences.
• Experience working with Indigenous people who have been incarcerated and transitioning back into the community.
• Knowledge of crisis assessments, concurrent disorders, homelessness, crisis intervention strategies, trauma-informed practice, strengths-based models, and client-centred and recovery-oriented approaches.
• Knowledge of federal and provincial government health programs and services, community services, specialty programs, resources, health care delivery system and the Non-Insured Health Benefits program.
• Knowledge of Albertas Virtual Opioid Dependency program.
• Knowledge of the people, history, culture, and trauma relevant to the communitys health and wellness challenges and the members strengths and resiliency.
• Comprehensive understanding of the history and cultural practices of the First Nations/Indigenous population, Indigenous health approaches, protocols and cultural issues.
• Strong knowledge of anti-Indigenous racism initiatives (Joyces Principle), Indigenous Cultural Safety, legislative commitments (Truth and Reconciliation and Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People) and provincial commitments (MMIWG).

Other Requirements

• Emotional maturity and a balanced, healthy lifestyle.
• Ability to maintain composure and be a calming influence.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software is essential.
• Possesses exceptional judgement and always maintains high confidentiality in all interactions.
• Capable of being sensitive, tactful, diplomatic and professional in interactions with a wide variety of individuals using discretion.
• Reliable and prepared to work irregular hours depending on job demands.
• Exceptional interpersonal, counselling and case management skills.
• Must have excellent written, oral, and presentation communication skills.
• Accurate documentation and attention to detail.
• Clear Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Checks.
• Satisfactory Child Welfare check.
• Must have up-to-date immunizations, including yearly influenza vaccine.
• Valid provincial Class 5 Drivers License and access to a reliable vehicle (or other transport). Travel is a requirement of the position.
• Sign an Oath of Confidentiality before commencing employment.
• Must be willing and able to travel.
• Willingness to participate in Cree teachings and ceremonies grounded in Mikisew Cree First Nations beliefs and ways of knowing.
• Willing and able to work a flexible schedule that may include being on-call occasionally and periodically working after hours and on weekends.

Position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found. All applications will be reviewed; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Mikisew Cree First Nation is committed to equal opportunity employment and encourages applications from all qualified individuals. Preference will be given to candidates with Indigenous ancestry. Within the framework of existing constitutional, federal, provincial, territorial, and international standardsand under the Canadian Human Rights Commission policyconsiderations and preferences in employment are not discriminatory when the primary purpose of the employer is to serve the needs of First Nations.

Additional assets include:

• Previous related experience

• The ability to speak and/or understand the local Cree dialect

• Experience working with the community and regional health and wellness services, preferably within the northern Treaty 8 Territory

Final candidates for this position will be required to complete a security screening, which includes a criminal background check.

Kinanskomitin (Thank you) for your interest.