Social Worker, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit & Perinatal Follow Up Program

Nova Scotia Health Authority; Halifax; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Halifax is seeking a Social Worker for the Womens & Newborn Health Program. The role involves providing counseling, family-integrated care, and collaborative partnerships with health services. Applicants need a Master's degree in Social Work, a valid license, and a minimum of two years of clinical experience. The position offers competitive hourly compensation and a flexible work schedule.

Benefits

Enhanced benefits and wellness programs

Training and mentorship opportunities

Collaborative work environment

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Social Work required.
• Current license or eligible for licensure.
• Minimum of two years clinical experience required.
• Knowledge of mental health and addictions required.
• Experience in trauma-responsive care expected.

Responsibilities

• Provide social work services and family integrated care.
• Counsel patients and families experiencing hospitalization stress.
• Liaise with health and government services for advocacy.

Skills

Clinical experience

Psychotherapy skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Time management

Critical thinking

Education

Master's Degree in Social Work

Tools

Meditech

MS Outlook

MS Office Suite

Job description

Overview

Company: IWK Health

Req ID: 210717
Department/Program: Allied Health NICU, Womens & Newborn Health
Location: Halifax
Type of Employment: Temporary Hourly PT long-assignment (40% FTE) ending January 11, 2027 x 1 position(s)
Start Date: January 11, 2026
Union Status: NSGEU Hlthcare, Healthcare Bargaining Unit
Compensation: $40.1798 - $54.1406/hour
Closing Date: October 3, 2025 (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. We are committed to training and mentorship opportunities, and to supporting patients, families and communities. We recognize talent, celebrate successes, and collaborate in modern facilities or virtually from home. We align our work to our values and offer enhanced benefits and wellness programs.

Promoting an anti-racist environment and calling out discrimination is important to us. We acknowledge the traditional territory of Mima3?k, the unceded and ancestral territory of the Midmaq people. We strive to build an equitable and inclusive space where diverse communities feel welcome. We invite applicants who self-identify as Indigenous, Black/African Nova Scotians, Persons of Colour, Immigrants/Newcomers, Persons with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ to apply to support workforce representation that reflects the communities we care for at all job levels.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Manager of the Neonatal Care Team, the Social Worker practices as a member of an interprofessional team to provide social work services and family integrated care with women and their families in the Womens & Newborn Health Program (primarily NICU and PFU). The Social Worker will have a major role in counseling patients and families who may be experiencing stressors associated with hospitalization, pregnancy, the postpartum period, pre-term birth, adjustment to parenting, perinatal and newborn loss. The primary role of the successful applicant will be to provide individual and family counselling. The Social Worker will also provide brief check-in interventions, screening and assessment as required. The position requires knowledge and skills in infant mental health (attachment), family dynamics, mental health and addictions, psychosocial assessment, crisis intervention, trauma support and interprofessional collaboration. Experience in trauma-responsive, culturally safe care and grief/loss work is expected. The Social Worker will liaise with a range of health and government services, emphasizing collaborative partnerships, resource acquisition and advocacy to meet clients needs. Responsibilities include supervising clinical MSW student placements, teaching, program development, program evaluation, and research as needed. The Social Worker serves as a resource to other neonatal team members on a direct and/or consultative basis and will perform intake duties for the Womens & Newborn Health Program, working collaboratively with other social workers within the program.

Hours of Work

Monday to Friday (Flexible). Some variations in working times will be required as needed.

Your Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Social Work required
• Current license or eligible for licensure with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers required
• Minimum of two (2) years clinical experience as a Masters prepared Social Worker required
• Knowledge of infant/child development, obstetric milestones, life transitions, mental health & addictions and womens health required
• Advanced Psychotherapy skills, including brief therapies
• Family Therapy experience preferred
• Demonstrated understanding of social, structural, emotional, psychological and cultural determinants/factors that affect well-being
• Demonstrated ability to use an anti-oppressive framework in practice
• Working knowledge of the DSM-5 considered an asset
• Ability to reach a joint formulation with the client and family
• Knowledge of the Child and Family Services Act required
• Excellent time management, critical thinking, organization, decision making, and problem-solving skills required
• Exceptional interpersonal, presentation and communication (verbal and written) skills required
• Comfort and skills working collaboratively with internal and external partnerships required
• Experience in clinical case management and advocacy
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously as well as part of an interprofessional team required
• Experience in Meditech, MS Outlook, and MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) preferred
• Competencies in other languages is considered an asset

Where there are no qualified applicants, consideration may be given to applicants without two years of post-Masters experience.

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 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.

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