Provisional Psychologist: Alberta Indigenous Virtual Care Clinic / First Nations Technical Services Advisory Group
About organization/overview:
First Nations Technical Services Advisory Group Inc. (TSAG) is a not-for-profit provider of quality technical service and training for First Nations in Alberta. TSAG’s purpose is to assist First Nations in gaining the tools and knowledge they need to achieve and maintain high standards in technology and services within the community. This is a full-time position (35 hours per week) with the possibility of evenings / weekends. Dividing the hours into two part-time positions might be an option for the right candidates.
Established in October 2020, the Alberta Indigenous Virtual Care Clinic (AIVCC) is a partnership between TSAG and a group of primary care physicians working in Indigenous communities throughout Alberta as a response to requests from communities for culturally relevant medical care during COVID, where physical travel to communities became restricted.
We currently have 27 physicians and employ 9 medical office assistants, serving over 500 patients per month via phone and Zoom visits, with the aim to provide same-day visits. Our patients are from all areas of the province, including rural, remote, and urban communities, on- and off-reserve. Our clinic operates under a not-for-profit model and is unique in that we strive to work with each patient to reduce barriers to wellness in a way that validates their individual cultural identity. Our mandate is to provide services to all Indigenous Albertans and their families.
In 2021, we had the opportunity to connect with a psychiatrist interested in serving our patients and developing dedicated mental health programming as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Since then, our mental health team has expanded to include three registered psychologists, a clinical social worker, and a provisional psychologist. We provide a full range of remote mental health services to Indigenous adolescents and adults located anywhere in Alberta.
Position Summary:
We are looking for a provisional psychologist to work with our team (primary care physicians, psychologists, and psychiatrist) as a mental health therapist providing culturally sensitive counselling services to patients of any age requesting help with a full spectrum of issues, including but not limited to: acute crises, trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, residential school syndrome, addictions, and personality disorders.
This position is a temporary position to March 31, 2026 providing a training opportunity for a provisionally registered psychologist who needs to meet the College of Alberta Psychologists’ 1600 hours of supervised practice requirement. Individuals already registered as provisional psychologists and individuals who have had their credentials approved by CAP are invited to apply. One on one supervision will be provided, as well as the opportunity to engage in multidisciplinary case consultations with our psychologists, psychiatrist, and family physicians. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop a unique skillset in delivering evidence-based individual and group therapies to a high-trauma population within a virtual environment.
As AIVCC represents a unique model of care, the successful applicant will be responsive to emerging needs of patients and communities with respect to services provided.
The applicant must either be located in Edmonton or Calgary or have accessibility to either city monthly for supervision. The ability to work remotely is a requirement of the position.
Job responsibilities:
- Provide mental wellness counselling services to children and adults, in individual or group sessions.
- Document clinical encounters in MedAccess electronic medical record (training will be provided).
- Work to infuse cultural ceremony, tradition and customs into and around related duties where appropriate and as needed, in collaboration with community organizations.
- Conduct sessions with the aid of an Indigenous language interpreter where required.
- Assess and document systemic barriers and challenges identified, and work with multi-disciplinary team members to address these where possible.
- Collaborates with clinic manager, MOAs, psychologists, primary care physicians and psychiatrist regarding patient care.
- Advocate for patients on an individual and systems level, where appropriate.
- Ensures client/family/community confidentiality and privacy in accordance with professional regulatory guidelines and following standards of practice and legal requirements
- Attend quarterly staff meetings via Zoom
- Perform other related duties, as assigned
Qualifications:
TSAG is committed to respecting diversity within our workforce; preference will be given to individuals with Indigenous ancestry (First Nations, Inuit, Métis).
- Master’s degree in counselling, psychology, or other related field
- Approval of credentials for registration as, or existing registration as, a provisional psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Alberta
- Competency (or willingness to gain competency) in evidence-based psychotherapies such as CBT, DBT, and EMDR is an asset.
- Criminal record check with vulnerable section search
- Prior completion of cultural sensitivity training, degree in Native Studies, or at least two years’ experience working with Indigenous clients is an asset.
- Fluency or knowledge of an Indigenous language spoken in Alberta is an asset.
- An understanding of rural and remote communities and their inherent challenges and barriers
- Understanding and ability to practice with Nation-based, community-driven philosophy
- Excellent communication skills and ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team.
Hours:
Clinic hours are Tues, Thurs-Fri: 8:30-4:30
Mon and Wed 8:30-8:30
Sat-Sun: 12:30-4:30
