Patient Access Navigator - Wellness Courts - Mental Health and Addictions

Nova Scotia Health; Kentville; On-site; CAD 50,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental coverage

Travel coverage

Long-term disability

Life insurance

Defined benefit pension plan

Job summary

Nova Scotia Health Authority is seeking a Patient Access Navigator to support the Bridgewater and Kentville Wellness Courts. You will provide navigation, advocacy, and coordination for individuals with mental health or substance use concerns, connecting clients to essential services and addressing barriers to care.

The role emphasizes collaboration with Mental Health and Addictions teams, community resources, and Wellness Court partners to promote self-navigation and person-centered care.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work is required.
• Registration with Nova Scotia College of Social Workers is required.
• Three years of related experience in Mental Health and Addictions.
• Experience with Mental Health and/or substance use/gambling concerns.
• Knowledge of harm reduction strategies and stages of change theory.
• Knowledge of recovery-oriented practice & patient and family-centered care.
• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention or Mental Health First Aid is an asset, or commitment to complete.
• Working knowledge of DSM.
• Ability to navigate and de-escalate situations and offer crisis support.
• Cultural sensitivity and competency; French is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Supports Wellness Courts by providing navigation, advocacy, and coordination services.
• Facilitates connections to treatment and community supports addressing mental health and addictions.
• Acts as liaison between community resources, Wellness Court partners, and Mental Health and Addictions services.

Skills

Motivational interviewing

Engagement techniques

Crisis de-escalation

Cultural sensitivity

Communication skills

Advocacy

Assessment

Education

Bachelor's degree in Social Work

Registration with Nova Scotia College of Social Workers

Job description

Req ID: 221139

Location: Western Zone, Chipman Facility

Department: MHA WZ Wellness Courts Chipman - VRH

Type of Employment: Temporary Hourly FT long-assignment (100%) x 1

Union: NSGEU Healthcare Position

Posting Closing Date: 1-Dec-26

About The Opportunity

Reporting to the Manager, Mental Health and Addictions (MHA) Program, the Patient Access Navigator supports the Bridgewater and Kentville Wellness Courts by providing navigation, advocacy, and coordination services for individuals experiencing mental health and/or substance use concerns. The Patient Access Navigator builds collaborative working relationships within Mental Health and Addictions and the Wellness Court teams to support participants in accessing appropriate services and resources. The Patient Access Navigator assists individuals in identifying and overcoming barriers to care while promoting self-navigation within the health care system. Through assessment of client needs, the role facilitates connections to treatment, community-based supports, and ancillary services that address mental health, substance use, gambling-related concerns, and social determinants of health. Acting as a liaison between community resources, Wellness Court partners, and Mental Health and Addictions services, the Patient Access Navigator remains knowledgeable of available programs, services, and supports to ensure individuals receive timely, coordinated, and person-centered care. The role contributes to positive client outcomes through collaboration, problem solving, advocacy, and ongoing support throughout the client's wellness journey.

About You

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work is required
• Registration with Nova Scotia College of Social Workers required
• Three years of related experience in Mental Health and Addictions in a health care setting
• Experience working with individuals with Mental Health and/or substance use/gambling concerns
• High degree of motivational interviewing skills and engagement techniques
• Experience utilizing screening and triaging tools
• Knowledge of harm reduction strategies and stages of change theory
• Demonstrated awareness of community resources and programs and community development methods
• Demonstrated knowledge of recovery-oriented practice & patient and family-centered care
• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, Mental Health First Aid an asset, or committing to complete these courses
• Working knowledge of DSM
• Ability to navigate and de-escalate situations and offer crisis support using appropriate methods when needed
• Demonstrated knowledge of cultural sensitivity and cultural competency
• 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

• Long assignment, full-time position; 75 hours biweekly
• Approximately 18 months

Compensation And Benefits

Healthcare Social Worker B

$36.58 - $48.53 Hourly

$50.22 hourly with 25 years’ service with the employer.

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. (Permanent Long Assignments Only)

What You'll Love About Nova Scotia Health

Nova Scotia Health is more than the province's largest provider of health services; we're a team driven by excellence in health, healing and learning. Across hospitals, health centres and community programs, our people deliver innovative, high-quality care that impacts lives across Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada.

From vibrant city life to scenic coastal communities, Nova Scotia offers a lifestyle as rewarding as the work itself. At Nova Scotia Health, you'll find meaningful career opportunities, supportive teams and the work-life balance to enjoy everything our beautiful province has to offer. Join us and discover why so many people are choosing to call Nova Scotia home.

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.

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.