Social Worker MSW, Garron Centre

Nova Scotia Health; Halifax; On-site; CAD 55,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

IWK Health in Halifax is seeking a social worker for the Garron Centre’s child and adolescent mental health program. The role involves direct clinical work with children and youth, as well as coordination with an inter-professional team in an acute inpatient setting.

The ideal candidate has a Master’s in Social Work, NSCSW eligibility, and at least two years of relevant clinical experience, including individual/family therapy and group interventions. The position is full-time and unionized.

Qualifications

• Masters Degree in Social Work required.
• Licensed with, or eligible to be licensed with, the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers (NSCSW) required.
• Minimum two (2) years clinical experience in Child and Adolescent Mental Health is required.
• Experience in individual/family therapy and in group interventions.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual, family, and group treatment to acute inpatient clients.
• Provide clinical direction, guidance and support to the inter-professional team.
• Promote evidence-based care and participate in program development; supervise students and researchers.

Skills

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Interpersonal skills

Written and verbal communication

Time management

Group/interventions

Education

Master's degree in Social Work

Job description

Req ID: 228688
Department/Program: Garron Social Work , Mental Health And Addictions
Location:Halifax
Type of Employment: Permanent Hourly FT ( 100% FTE) x 2 position(s)
Start Date: November 2026
Union Status:NSGEU Hlthcare, Healthcare Bargaining Unit
Compensation: $40.1798 - $55.4941 /hour
Closing Date: November 12, 2026 (Applications are 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 each year across the Atlantic region. We have a team of approximately 4000 employees, physicians, volunteers and learners at sites across Nova Scotia . People build careers with IWK Health with our focus on training and mentorship opportunities. We recognize each other’s talent and celebrate our successes. We collaborate in modern facilities or virtually from home, align our work to our values , and enjoy access to enhanced benefits and wellness programs. We are proud to support our patients, families and communities and are grateful for the generous donor support we receive.

Promoting an anti-racist environment, and calling out discrimination as we work and provide care, is important to us. We are located in Mi’kma’ki, the unceded and ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq people. Working in Mi’kma’ki and providing care to those across Atlantic Canada is a shared privilege with the original inhabitants who have lived here for many thousands of years prior to colonization. There are 13 First Nation communities across Nova Scotia, and more than 50 historic African Nova Scotian communities who also have a long, deep, and complex history dating back over 400 years. We have the highest percentage of people with disabilities in the country. Nova Scotia has the highest proportions of transgender and non-binary people than any other province or territory in the country. We are active in our work to eliminate discrimination, but have more work to do to build that trust, acknowledge our biases and reduce the barriers our diverse communities face. We want IWK Health to be a safe and supportive space of equity and belonging in the care we provide and the employment we offer. We welcome all interested persons who self-identify as Indigenous, Black/African Nova Scotians, Persons of Colour, Immigrants/Newcomers, Persons with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ to apply to support our goal for our workforce to be representative of the patients, families, and communities that we care for at all job levels.

The Opportunity

The Garron Centre for Child & Adolescent Mental Health provides stabilization, assessment and treatment planning for children and youth with acute and serious mental health concerns. The social worker is an integrated member of the inter-professional team in the planning and provision of treatment to children and youth up to the age of 19. The acute inpatient unit supports clients and families through an intensive, brief treatment experience. Reporting to the Manager, the Social Worker is a central member of an inter-professional team and is responsible for providing individual, family, and group treatment to the acute inpatient clients. The social worker provides clinical direction, guidance and support to the team, as needed. The clinical social worker promotes the provision of quality evidence based care to clients and families and participates in program development. Responsibilities include clinical work with children, youth and families, as well as teaching and clinical supervision of students and research.

Hours of Work

Monday to Friday,8:30am – 4:30pm with the ability to work some evenings as required.

Your Qualifications

• Masters Degree in Social Work required.
• Currently licensed with, or eligible to be licensed with, the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers (NSCSW) required.
• Minimum two (2) years clinical experience as a Masters prepared Social Worker working in the field of Child and Adolescent Mental Health is required.
• Demonstrated experience in individual/family therapy.
• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills and the demonstrated ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Demonstrated skills in organization and time management.
• Demonstrated skills in delivery of evidence based group interventions.
• Demonstrated skills in individual, family and group therapy.
• Experience with clients with acute mental health issues is preferred.
• Experience working with patients with Eating Disorders is preferred.
• Working knowledge of diagnostic formulation.
• Competencies in other languages an asset.

Thank you for your interest in IWK Health.

Please note that we only contact applicants selected for interview/testing. If we invite you to participate in an assessment process (such as an interview or testing) you have the right to request accommodation. Please discuss your needs when invited to the assessment process.

This is a Healthcare bargaining unit position. Preference is given to bargaining unit employees for unionized positions. 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.

An offer of employment is conditional upon the completion and satisfactory results of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials.

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