Social Worker BSW, Garron Centre
About the role
The Opportunity
Reporting to the Clinical Manager of the Garron Centre for Child & Adolescent Mental Health, the Social Worker plays a key role in discharge support and continuity of care. As a member of the interprofessional care team, the primary responsibility of this role is to support clients and their families through the implementation of a comprehensive, individualized discharge plan developed by the inpatient interprofessional team, and to support connecting with services and resources in community.
The Social Worker (BSW) monitors and implements transition care plans, identifying risks of illness recurrence and addressing safety concerns. Collaborating with the interprofessional team, they evaluate interventions, recommend adjustments, and act within their scope of practice. The role requires expertise in youth and adolescent mental health, family dynamics, addictions, crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, and interprofessional collaboration. The Social Worker liaises with community, health, and government services to build partnerships, secure resources, and advocate for client needs. Responsibilities may also include supervising BSW student placements, teaching, program development and evaluation, and participating in research. They serve as a resource to team members and demonstrate professional integrity and respect in line with client- and family-centered care, IWK Health Centre standards, and professional practice guidelines.
Hours of Work
Monday-Friday, 8:30-4:30 pm (7.5 hour shifts) with the possibility of some evening/weekend work. Flexibility in hours of work and ability to travel required.
Your Qualifications
- Bachelor of Social Work Degree required
- Current license or eligible for registration with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers (NSCSW) required
- Minimum of two (2) years’ experience in mental health or related experience with children and adolescents as applicable to the care area required
- Minimum three (3) years’ experience in child and adolescent mental health and addictions preferred.
- Successful completion of a Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada Basic Life Support (BLS) Program within the last 12 months or successful completion of a BLS Renewal Challenge Certificate required
- NCI certification required
- Demonstrated knowledge of suicide risk assessment and the ability to facilitate safety plans.
- Demonstrated knowledge of child and adolescent development.
- Demonstrated knowledge of community-based resources across HRM specifically as well as other areas across Nova Scotia.
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience of mental health and addiction disorders, family systems approach and evidenced treatment modalities preferred.
- Demonstrated understanding of the social, structural, emotional, psychological, and cultural determinants/factors that affect well-being.
- Demonstrated ability to use an anti-oppressive framework in practice. Demonstrated understanding and an embodiment of trauma-informed practice. Understanding of, and commitment to, evidence informed practice/best practices required.
- Demonstrated excellence in communication and interpersonal skills required.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as a member of an interprofessional care team, while effectively carrying out administrative and clinical responsibilities required.
- Demonstrated excellent time management, workload prioritization, and organizational skills required.
- Demonstrated conflict resolution skills required.
- Demonstrated knowledge and competency in meeting IWK clinical documentation standards preferred.
- Demonstrated exceptional interpersonal, presentation and communication (verbal and written) skills required.
- Demonstrated comfort and skill in working collaboratively with internal and external partnerships required.
- Demonstrated knowledge of emergency response for at risk youth in community.
- Working knowledge of disruptive behavior disorders preferred.
- Holds a valid minimal Class 5 Nova Scotia driver’s license and reliable transportation required.
- Knowledge of the Child and Family Services Act an asset.
- Competency in other languages an asset.
- Willingness to provide preceptorship opportunities to social work practicum students.
About Nova Scotia Health Authority
We are Nova Scotia Health. We are rural and urban. We are in hospitals, health centres and community. We serve individuals and communities from Yarmouth to Cape Breton, from Amherst to Halifax, and everything in between.
We are researchers and learners, looking for new ways to prevent and treat disease and maintain health. We are partners – with community groups, schools, government, foundations and auxiliaries, community health boards and, most importantly, with you.
Most of all, we are a community of caring, compassionate people who care deeply about health, healing and learning. Together with you, we will create a healthier Nova Scotia.
Mission: Working together to achieve excellence in health, healing and learning
Vision: Healthy people, healthy communities – for generations
Social Worker BSW, Garron Centre
About the role
The Opportunity
Reporting to the Clinical Manager of the Garron Centre for Child & Adolescent Mental Health, the Social Worker plays a key role in discharge support and continuity of care. As a member of the interprofessional care team, the primary responsibility of this role is to support clients and their families through the implementation of a comprehensive, individualized discharge plan developed by the inpatient interprofessional team, and to support connecting with services and resources in community.
The Social Worker (BSW) monitors and implements transition care plans, identifying risks of illness recurrence and addressing safety concerns. Collaborating with the interprofessional team, they evaluate interventions, recommend adjustments, and act within their scope of practice. The role requires expertise in youth and adolescent mental health, family dynamics, addictions, crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, and interprofessional collaboration. The Social Worker liaises with community, health, and government services to build partnerships, secure resources, and advocate for client needs. Responsibilities may also include supervising BSW student placements, teaching, program development and evaluation, and participating in research. They serve as a resource to team members and demonstrate professional integrity and respect in line with client- and family-centered care, IWK Health Centre standards, and professional practice guidelines.
Hours of Work
Monday-Friday, 8:30-4:30 pm (7.5 hour shifts) with the possibility of some evening/weekend work. Flexibility in hours of work and ability to travel required.
Your Qualifications
- Bachelor of Social Work Degree required
- Current license or eligible for registration with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers (NSCSW) required
- Minimum of two (2) years’ experience in mental health or related experience with children and adolescents as applicable to the care area required
- Minimum three (3) years’ experience in child and adolescent mental health and addictions preferred.
- Successful completion of a Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada Basic Life Support (BLS) Program within the last 12 months or successful completion of a BLS Renewal Challenge Certificate required
- NCI certification required
- Demonstrated knowledge of suicide risk assessment and the ability to facilitate safety plans.
- Demonstrated knowledge of child and adolescent development.
- Demonstrated knowledge of community-based resources across HRM specifically as well as other areas across Nova Scotia.
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience of mental health and addiction disorders, family systems approach and evidenced treatment modalities preferred.
- Demonstrated understanding of the social, structural, emotional, psychological, and cultural determinants/factors that affect well-being.
- Demonstrated ability to use an anti-oppressive framework in practice. Demonstrated understanding and an embodiment of trauma-informed practice. Understanding of, and commitment to, evidence informed practice/best practices required.
- Demonstrated excellence in communication and interpersonal skills required.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as a member of an interprofessional care team, while effectively carrying out administrative and clinical responsibilities required.
- Demonstrated excellent time management, workload prioritization, and organizational skills required.
- Demonstrated conflict resolution skills required.
- Demonstrated knowledge and competency in meeting IWK clinical documentation standards preferred.
- Demonstrated exceptional interpersonal, presentation and communication (verbal and written) skills required.
- Demonstrated comfort and skill in working collaboratively with internal and external partnerships required.
- Demonstrated knowledge of emergency response for at risk youth in community.
- Working knowledge of disruptive behavior disorders preferred.
- Holds a valid minimal Class 5 Nova Scotia driver’s license and reliable transportation required.
- Knowledge of the Child and Family Services Act an asset.
- Competency in other languages an asset.
- Willingness to provide preceptorship opportunities to social work practicum students.
About Nova Scotia Health Authority
We are Nova Scotia Health. We are rural and urban. We are in hospitals, health centres and community. We serve individuals and communities from Yarmouth to Cape Breton, from Amherst to Halifax, and everything in between.
We are researchers and learners, looking for new ways to prevent and treat disease and maintain health. We are partners – with community groups, schools, government, foundations and auxiliaries, community health boards and, most importantly, with you.
Most of all, we are a community of caring, compassionate people who care deeply about health, healing and learning. Together with you, we will create a healthier Nova Scotia.
Mission: Working together to achieve excellence in health, healing and learning
Vision: Healthy people, healthy communities – for generations