Health Care Social Worker (Bachelors) - Adolescent Outreach Services - Mental Health and Addictions

Nova Scotia Health Authority; New Glasgow; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Nova Scotia seeks a Social Worker for a permanent full-time role. Responsibilities include clinical assessment, providing counseling, and managing cases for adolescents facing mental health or substance use challenges. The ideal candidate possesses a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and at least two years of relevant clinical experience. Attractive compensation and benefits package available.

Benefits

Health and dental insurance

Defined benefit pension plan

Qualifications

• Minimum two years of clinical experience required.
• Experience with children and adolescents with mental health and substance use issues.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care and client engagement strategies.

Responsibilities

• Conduct clinical assessments and develop intervention plans.
• Provide supportive counseling and case management.
• Collaboration with healthcare teams and clients.

Skills

Community resources knowledge

Screening and risk assessment

Collaborative working relationships

Harm reduction strategies

Cultural competency

Brief intervention strategies

Autonomous work experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Social Work

Registered with the NSCSW

Job description

Overview

Req ID: 206349
Location: Northern Zone, Aberdeen Hospital
Department: MHA NZ Community Outreach CRH
Type of Employment: Permanent Hourly FT (100%) x 1
CUPE Healthcare Position
Posting Closing Date: 1-Oct-25

Nova Scotia Health is the largest provider of health services in Nova Scotia, with some specialized services also offered to clients throughout Atlantic Canada. We’re on a mission to achieve excellence in health, healing, and learning through working together, which is reflected in the hospitals, health centres, and community-based programs we operate across the province. Our team provides a variety of high-quality inpatient and outpatient services including academic, tertiary, and quaternary care, as well as continuing care, primary health care, public health, and mental health and addictions. Join a diverse team of innovators, collaborators, and creative thinkers today.

Nova Scotia Health employs professionals in all corners of our province. We believe there’s a place here for everyone, from vibrant cities with exuberant nightlife to quaint towns with picturesque trails. The work-life balance for Nova Scotia Health roles means you’ll have time to explore, discover, and participate in that Atlantic lifestyle. Visit us at www.novascotia.com to see why more people from across the globe are moving here.

About the Opportunity

The Social Worker is responsible for clinical assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of prevention and early intervention programming for adolescents at risk for or who have mild substance use and/or mental health problems. As part of a team, the Social Worker must be knowledgeable and utilize principles from harm reduction, population health, community development, health promotion and prevention, and early intervention. The Social Worker provides a wide range of services in schools and communities, including screening, assessment, supportive counseling, referral, case navigation/management, early/brief intervention, outreach, and group programming.

About You

We would love to hear from you if you have the following:

• Bachelor\'s degree in Social Work
• Registered with the Nova Scotia College of Social Work (NSCSW)
• Two years’ (post-BSW) related clinical experience (preferably working with children and adolescents with mental health, substance use, or concurrent disorders in a community based setting providing case management and other supportive interventions)
• Demonstrated knowledge of community resources/programs and community development methods
• A high degree of proficiency in screening and risk assessment skills, including suicide risk assessment
• An ability to build and maintain collaborative working relationships within health care and the community at large
• A sound working knowledge of harm reduction strategies and stages of change theory
• Knowledge and experience with brief intervention strategies, solution focused approaches, motivational interviewing skills and client engagement strategies
• Knowledge and experience with trauma informed care approach
• Knowledge of social determinants of health/social context and its importance to decision formulation
• Demonstrated knowledge of cultural sensitivity and cultural competency
• Demonstrated knowledge of recovery oriented practice & patient and family centered care
• The incumbent will need to have previous experience working with a significant amount of autonomy ensuring the plan of care is being fully articulated and work collaboratively with the care teams when adjustments are needed
• Experienced in offering supportive brief intervention strategies focuses on harm reduction and recovery
• A working knowledge of the DSM and experience in utilizing screening and triaging tools
• Travel is required; must have access to reliable transportation

Minimum two (2) years of clinical experience required. If not available, candidates with less than two (2) years of experience may be considered for the selection process. If offered employment, they will be placed on the Healthcare Social Worker A (Developmental) scale.

Please ensure your resume is up to date and includes all relevant education, experience, training, and certifications.

Hours

• Permanent, full-time position; 75 hours bi-weekly
• Occasional evening and weekend work as needed

Compensation and Benefits

Healthcare Social Worker B
$36.58 - $47.35 Hourly

Healthcare Social Worker A (Developmental)
$34.80 - $43.30 hourly

Successful candidates may be eligible for our benefits package which includes health, dental, travel, long-term disability, and life insurance coverage as well as a defined benefit pension plan.

Once You've Applied

Thank you for your interest in this position. Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

This is a Healthcare bargaining unit position. Preference is given to bargaining unit employees for unionized positions. Employees are encouraged to view their seniority hours and dates in their SuccessFactors online profile. Successful applicants changing unions, bargaining units, or employment status, are advised to seek clarification regarding their seniority, benefits, and vacation entitlement and/or usage, prior to accepting the position.

Nova Scotia Health is committed to being a workforce that is free of discrimination, values diversity, and is representative, at all job levels, of the people we serve. We encourage all qualified applicants who self-identify as Indigenous, Black/African Nova Scotian, Persons of Colour, Foreign Nationals/Newcomers, Persons with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ to apply and self-identify.