Health Care Social Worker (Masters)

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

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Nova Scotia is seeking a Health Care Social Worker to support clients with complex needs. This role requires collaboration with service providers to create individualized care plans. Candidates must hold a Master's degree in social work and be licensed with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers, with experience in adult mental health. The position offers permanent full-time employment with a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits.

Benefits

Health insurance

Dental coverage

Defined benefit pension plan

Qualifications

• Three years related experience in adult mental health.
• Advanced knowledge of relevant legislation required.
• Knowledge of psychosocial rehabilitation and mental health practices.

Responsibilities

• Conduct structured clinical interviews and counseling.
• Develop and coordinate plans of care for clients.
• Liaise with DCS complex case coordinators.

Skills

Conflict resolution skills

Communicating with diverse populations

Experience in adult mental health

Education

Master's degree in social work

Licensed with Nova Scotia College of Social Workers

Job description

Overview

Req ID: 210704
Location: Central Zone, Hants Community Hospital
Department: OPCZ Social Work HCH
Type of Employment: Permanent Hourly FT (100%) x 1
NSGEU Healthcare Position
Posting Closing Date: 13-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 passionate team of professionals 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 to call home. Visit us and check out www.novascotia.com to see why more people from across the globe are moving here.

About the Opportunity

Reporting to the Health Services Manager, or delegate, the Health Care Social Worker practices at an advanced level and works in collaboration with respective services and community partners to support clients/patients and families whose needs are complex, defined as unpredictable, multi-faceted and dynamic serious risk and social consequences and requiring a high level of multi-agencies collaboration. They work with clients/families and service providers to develop individualized plan of care, crisis plan, and community treatment orders (when necessary) to address the complex and challenging needs of the clients/patients. The Social Worker will collaborate with other members of the team while providing comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, and care planning, individual and group treatment. This role will also include collection of research data for outcome evaluation, consultations, education and shared care with other health care providers and community members.

Major duties include, but are not limited to: experience and expertise in conducting structured clinical interviews and counseling, financial supports and Government programs, patient and family psycho-education, coordination of plans of care or placements, case management support, liaising with DCS complex case coordinators to facilitate home and community placements. Demonstrated strong clinical knowledge and skills in navigating financial supports and Government programs, with awareness of provincial resources required. Demonstrated comfort and competence in community-based practice with the ability to develop and conduct patient and family psycho-education groups. Ability to develop and present psychiatric or related social work educational seminars to health care professionals and community groups, or 1-to-1. Experience working with families or substitute decision makers in coordinating plans of care or placements. Self-directed in practice, comfort and competence in community-based practice, ability to work effectively independently and with teams, exemplary written and communication skills. Capacity for dealing with challenging clinical situations is required. Ability to work independently and as an effective member of multiple teams. Completing initial screening assessment to determine eligibility for complex Case Management. Coordinates, develops, and monitors plans of care to address the needs of individuals and/or families. Provides case management support and liaises with DCS complex case coordinators to coordinate and facilitate the transition of patients to community placements.

About You

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

• Master’s degree in social work
• Must be licensed with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers
• Three years related experience in adult mental health
• Knowledge of the social determinants of health and the risk factors and social consequences associated with diverse populations in one or more therapeutic modalities
• Critical understanding of the impact of physical, mental, emotional and psychological illness on clients/patients
• Conflict resolution skills - ability to motivate, negotiate and resolve conflict situations
• Experience or strong theoretical knowledge of rural healthcare that may affect a patient’s determinants of health
• Strong knowledge of Nova Scotia Health service structures, community resources and navigating systems is essential
• Advanced knowledge of relevant legislation e.g. Protection of Persons in Care Act, Personal Directives Act, Involuntary Psychiatric Treatment Act, Personal Health Information Act, is essential
• Knowledge of specific populations with uniquely defined needs and challenges
• Knowledge of psychosocial rehabilitation, case management and mental health practices
• Ability to work irregular hours and under pressure to meet deadlines, demonstrating flexibility and versatility while managing numerous expectations simultaneously
• Must have access to reliable transportation; ability to travel to various communities within Nova Scotia Health, throughout the year
• Competencies in other languages an asset, French preferred

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

Compensation and Benefits

$40.18 - $54.14 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.