Social Worker, Emergency Department

IWK Health; Halifax; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

IWK Health seeks a Social Worker for its Emergency Department to join an interdisciplinary team. This role involves providing social work services to children and youth, performing assessments, and engaging in family-centered care. Candidates require a Master’s degree and clinical experience, focusing on intervention best practices and effective communication skills. Join IWK Health and make a difference for families in need.

Qualifications

• Minimum of two (2) years clinical experience as a Masters prepared Social Worker.
• Experience with children experiencing chronic illness preferred.
• Knowledge of assessment and intervention best practices with children and youth.

Responsibilities

• Provide social work services and family-centered care in the Emergency Department.
• Conduct therapeutic interventions, assessments, and crisis intervention.
• Liaise with health and government services and supervise MSW students.

Skills

Time Management

Organizational Skills

Decision Making

Problem Solving

Interpersonal Skills

Communication Skills

Education

Master’s Degree in Social Work

Tools

Meditech

MS Outlook

MS Office Suite

Job description

Click here to apply as an internal applicant.

Company: IWK Health

Req ID: 206825

Department/Program: Emergency Department, Children's Surgical, Emergency and Rehabilitation

Location: Halifax

Type of Employment: Temporary Hourly FT long-assignment (100% FTE) until 2026, x 1 position(s)

Start Date: ASAP

Union Status: NSNU Nursing, Healthcare Bargaining Unit

Compensation: $40.1798 - $56.0355/hour

Closing Date: July 23, 2025 (Applications accepted until 23:59 Atlantic Time)

IWK Health is a respected academic health sciences centre located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, providing tertiary and primary care for two million children, youth, adults, and families annually across the Atlantic region. We have approximately 4000 employees, physicians, volunteers, and learners at sites across Nova Scotia. We focus on training and mentorship opportunities, recognize talent, celebrate successes, and offer modern facilities or virtual work options. We are committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, actively promoting an anti-racist environment and supporting marginalized communities.

The Opportunity: Reporting to the Manager of the Emergency Department, Trauma Centre, and Atlantic Canada Poison Center, the social worker will work as part of an interdisciplinary team providing social work services and family-centered care to children, youth, and their families in the Emergency Department. Responsibilities include therapeutic interventions, assessments, crisis and solution-focused interventions, and inter-professional collaboration. The role involves making referrals, liaising with health and government services, participating in committees, supervising MSW students, teaching, and program development. The social worker will also handle intake duties for social work services in the Children’s Health Program and coordinate coverage for planned leaves.

Hours of Work: Monday to Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, with some variations as needed.

Your Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Social Work
• Current license or eligibility for licensure with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers
• Minimum of two (2) years clinical experience as a Masters prepared Social Worker
• Experience with children experiencing chronic illness preferred
• Experience in brief individual and family therapy, case management, advocacy, and community liaison
• Understanding of social determinants of health and cultural competence
• Knowledge of assessment and intervention best practices with children, youth, and families
• Knowledge of the Child and Family Services Act
• Healthcare system and health policy knowledge an asset
• Excellent time management, organizational, decision-making, and problem-solving skills
• Strong interpersonal, presentation, and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in diverse settings
• Experience with Meditech, MS Outlook, and MS Office Suite preferred
• Language skills in other languages, especially French, are an asset

Thank you for your interest in IWK Health.

Please note that only selected applicants will be contacted for interview/testing. If invited, you may request accommodations during assessments.

This is a Healthcare bargaining unit position. Preference is given to bargaining unit employees. Applicants changing unions or employment status should clarify seniority, benefits, and vacation entitlements prior to acceptance.

An offer of employment is contingent upon background checks and credential verification.

If you are an employee of IWK Health, please apply through the internal careers page to ensure you are flagged as an internal applicant.