Social Worker - Mental Health & Substance Use

White Spot; Richmond; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Join Vancouver Coastal Health as a Social Worker, supporting the mental health geriatric team in Richmond. Provide comprehensive social work assessments and services while collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to address complex client needs. This role demands a Master's degree in social work and experience in community mental health.

Benefits

Comprehensive health benefits package

Employer-paid training and leadership opportunities

Wellness supports for employees and families

Award-winning recognition programs

Access to exclusive discounts for staff

Qualifications

• Two years' recent, related experience supporting complex mental health issues.
• Valid BC Driver’s License required.

Responsibilities

• Provide social work assessments and services.
• Act as a Designated Responder under Adult Guardianship Legislation.
• Consult with clients, families, and health professionals.

Skills

Knowledge of recovery principles in mental health

Crisis intervention skills

Ability to communicate effectively

Knowledge of community mental health resources

Ability to work independently and collaboratively

Education

Master of Social Work from an accredited School of Social Work

Current full registration with the British Columbia College of Social Workers

Job description

Salary Details

The salary range for this position is CAD $42.27/Hr. - CAD $52.81/Hr.

Job Summary

Come work as a Social Worker with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)!

Vancouver Coastal Health is looking for a Social Worker to join the Mental Health Geriatric team in Richmond, BC. Apply today to join our team!

As a Social Worker with VCH you will:

• Provide social work assessments and services using current theory and evidence based practice.
• Work as part of an interdisciplinary community mental health & substance use care team to provide treatment and services that are both inclusionary and flexible for individuals with mental illness and substance use to meet the needs of the client.
• Attend clinical care conferences as a member of an interdisciplinary team for client reviews, admissions and discharges.
• Act as a Designated Responder complying with the Adult Guardianship Legislation.
• Provide consultative and direct services to clients, families, staff and community health professionals regarding issues such as: adult guardianship, advanced directives, domestic violence, abuse and/or neglect, immigration, housing, financial concerns, or matters concerning government agencies (public trustee) and authorities (courts, police).

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Master of Social Work from an accredited School of Social Work
• Two (2) years’ recent, related experience working in a setting with the specific population this program supports, particularly those who may have complex mental health and substance use issues.
• Current full registration with the British Columbia College of Social Workers.
• Valid BC Driver’s License. Local area travel requires the use of a personal vehicle.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles of recovery in mental health and substance use.
• Extensive knowledge of Adult Guardianship Act, Mental Health Act, Consent the Patients Property Act, and Heath Care Consent and Care Facility Admission Act.
• Knowledge and familiarity with available financial support specific to patient population.
• Knowledge of MSP and Pharmacare, including Special Authority
• Knowledge and understanding of Public Guardian and Trustee.
• Broad knowledge of social work theory and practice within a client and family centred model of care
• Knowledge of Psychosocial Rehabilitation methodology.
• Knowledge of community, social and mental health resources.
• Ability to identify emotional, social, or environmental barriers and intervene to eliminate stigma.
• Knowledge of non-violent crisis intervention.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with internal and external clients.
• Broad knowledge of mental health and substance use.
• Broad knowledge of research methodology, counselling skills and clinical practice models.
• Broad knowledge of family, group and change therapy.
• Demonstrated ability to apply systems theory to practice in Social Work assessment and intervention.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct social and psychosocial assessments.
• Demonstrated ability to establish rapport with clients and families.
• Demonstrated ability to adjust to new or unexpected events and deal effectively with conflict.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Basic understanding of trauma-informed care.
• Communicates effectively and in a culturally safe manner with client, caregivers and health care team.
• Knowledge and training of Indigenous Cultural safety and experience providing culturally safe care to Indigenous people, families, and communities.
• Knowledge and ability to provide services using a harm reduction approach.
• Basic computer literacy to operate a computerized client care information system and word processing, spreadsheet, Internet and e-mail software.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

Closing Statement

Applicants with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from an accredited School of Social Work, and a demonstrated equivalent combination of education, training and experience may be considered. If you are applying under equivalency, please clearly outline in your application how your knowledge, education, skills and experience meet Master of Social Work (MSW) equivalency.

The hours of work including days off and work area may be subject to change consistent with operational requirements and the provision of the Collective Agreement and applicable statutes. Successful applicants may be required to complete a Criminal Records Review Check.

As per Ministry of Health policy, all health care workers working in publicly-funded health care facilities are required to report their past receipt of certain vaccines or history of certain infections. Collecting these records will allow for offering of any missing vaccines, and for appropriate actions to be taken in the event of any future exposure to a communicable disease or during outbreaks. For all new hires and appointments to Vancouver Coastal Health, you will be asked to provide this information as part of the onboarding process.

WHY JOIN VANCOUVER COASTAL HEALTH?

VCH is a world class innovator in medical care, research and teaching, delivering service to more than one million BC residents. At VCH, we embrace thinking boldly, taking smart risks, and "going first" when we believe it will lead to the best possible outcomes for patients and their families. We invite you to join us in creating healthy lives in healthy communities by showcasing our passion for care, connection to the communities we serve and our culture of teamwork that makes VCH a great place to work.

• Comprehensive health benefits package, including MSP, extended health and dental and municipal pension plan
• Grow your career with employer-paid training and leadership development opportunities
• Wellness supports, including counselling, critical incident and innovative wellness services are available to employees and their immediate families
• Award-winning recognition programs to honour staff, medical staff and volunteers
• Access to exclusive discount offers and deals for VCH staff

At Vancouver Coastal Health, our vision of healthy lives in healthy communities inspires us and our values and pillars guide us. We support equitable practices, diverse teams and inclusive environments, which are vital to creating welcoming spaces where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and feel supported. We encourage applications from equity-deserving communities, including Indigenous Peoples and members of racialized groups, people with disabilities and people of all gender identities and expressions and sexual orientation.

VCH is proud to be recognized as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, and B.C.’s Top Employers in 2025.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for this posting.