1.0 FTE Clinical Social Worker (MSW) - Designated (External)

North End Community Health Centre; Dartmouth; On-site; CAD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

North End Community Health Centre in Dartmouth is seeking an MSW to join the Overlook Supportive Housing program, delivering specialized social work services to tenants. The role emphasizes trauma-informed, gender-affirming, and culturally responsive care within a harm reduction framework.

The practitioner will conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial-cultural assessments, plan casework, and collaborate with an interprofessional team to ensure access to housing, health, and life-skills supports for

Qualifications

• MSW from an accredited university is required.
• Current registration with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers (NSCSW).
• 2+ years’ experience in community, primary health care and/or clinical social work required.
• Knowledge of CBT, DBT, ACT, narrative therapy and solution-focused therapy is desirable for specific client populations.
• Practice is person-centered, trauma-informed, gender-affirming, strengths-based and rooted in social justice and harm reduction principles.
• Knowledge of DSM-V and mental health best practices.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialized social work services to Overlook tenants within the housing program.
• Conduct biopsychosocial-cultural assessments and case planning.
• Apply culturally responsive interventions and integrate psychotherapeutic modalities as needed.
• Collaborate with interprofessional teams to ensure access to services for all tenants.
• Provide crisis support and debrief for clients and staff as required.
• Advise on ethics and ongoing learning to deliver equity-focused care.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Gender-affirming care

Culturally responsive interventions

Crisis de-escalation

Education

Master of Social Work (MSW)

NSCSW registration

Job description

*The North End Community Health Centre is committed to being an inclusive organization. To ensure our organization represents the diverse people and communities we serve, this position is designated for individuals who identify as 2STGD++, African Nova Scotians, people of African Descent and/or for individuals that identify as Indigenous.

Position Summary:

Our first ground-breaking harm reduction, peer supported housing project, the Overlook houses up to 60 individuals who struggle with active and problematic drug and/or alcohol use, as well as have chronic health conditions, have lengthy experience with homelessness, and/or are actively engaged in sex work. Partnering with Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia (AHANS) (the landlord), we offer 24/7 on-site, on-demand harm reduction supports to tenants, as well as various housing and healthcare supports around life skills and social inclusion.

The Masters of Social Worker (MSW) is an integral member of the Overlook Supportive Housing program team, providing specialized services to tenants. While focused on Overlook tenants, this MSW will also work collaboratively with other supportive housing teams at NECHC to ensure all tenants have access to services. Reporting to the Managers with the Overlook, the Social Worker offers expert consultation and ethical guidance informed by advanced education and training. This includes conducting assessments, applying culturally responsive interventions, and integrating psychotherapeutic modalities tailored to the needs of diverse and marginalized populations.

Grounded in a structural social work approach, this MSW focuses on the dynamic relationship between individuals, their environments, and broader societal systems. Their practice supports the psychosocial, emotional, and spiritual well-being of residents while addressing systemic injustices. Working with individuals who have complex needs, MSW collaborates closely within an interprofessional team and applies both established and emerging theoretical frameworks. A commitment to ongoing learning and skill development is essential to delivering effective, equity-focused care in this role.

Education and Experience:

• Completed a Master of Social Work (MSW) from an accredited University.
• Current registration with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers (NSCSW).
• 2+ years’ experience in community, primary health care and/or clinical social work required.
• Completed or willing to complete and regularly update knowledge in competency training and foundational courses regarding various specialized therapeutic modalities/interventions including, but not limited to CBT, DBT, ACT, narrative therapy and solution-focused therapy as required for specific client populations and disorders.
• Uphold provincial and national standards of practice and code of ethics.
• Practice is person-centered, trauma-informed, gender-affirming, strengths-based and rooted in queer theory, decolonization, anti-Black racism, social justice and harm reduction principles.
• Working knowledge of the DSM-V and mental health best practices.
• Experience in completing comprehensive biopsychosocial-cultural assessments, case planning and case presentations.
• Knowledge and experience of working with people who have complex needs and who are experiencing substance use, homelessness and/or poverty, criminalization.
• Ability to navigate and de-escalate situations and offer crisis and debrief supports to clients and staff as required.
• Knowledge and experience working with historically marginalized populations, including African Nova Scotian, Indigenous and 2STGD++ communities and providing culturally appropriate care and referrals.
• Completed (or willing to complete) GEI Foundations training and has experience in completing assessments and readiness letters to clients seeking gender-affirming care according to WPATH SoC v8 and MSI requirements.
• Knowledge of the issues faced by 2STGD++ populations and familiarity with local resources, including knowledge of effective sexual health and harm reduction combination approaches and recovery-oriented practice considered an asset.
• Working knowledge of adult education principles and group work/facilitation skills.
• Experience in navigating complex systems and community services and supports (e.g. Income Assistance, Nova Scotia Provincial Housing Agency, Provincial pharmacare programs, Probation/Parole).
• Knowledge and awareness of culturally appropriate resources, agencies and interventions.
• Understanding and knowledge of Afrocentric and Indigenous perspectives and approaches to social work.

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