About the Opportunity

Health Care Social Workers provide a diverse range of interventions to clients and their families, enabling them to achieve their optimal level of functioning and health. These interventions include: psychosocial assessments, adjustment therapy, supportive therapy, crisis counselling, resource counselling, and discharge planning and case management.

Health Care Social Workers are actively involved in advocacy, education, program planning, consultation and collaboration on behalf of individuals/groups within the institution and community. The role is multifaceted and dynamic, requiring each Social Worker to work autonomously as well as collaboratively within interdisciplinary teams.

This role requires a licensed professional who practices in accordance with a set of National/Provincial Standards and Code of Ethics and Department Procedures, Policies and Standards. The Health Care Social Worker is responsible for supervising undergraduate and graduate students in work placements. The Health Care Social Worker provides consultation based upon an advanced level of education (MSW) which includes an integrated knowledge of the social, structural, emotional, psychological and cultural factors that affect well-being.

Services can include individual, family based, or group therapy. The social worker’s responsibilities may also include supervising case managers and behavioral interventionists. The successful candidate is a team player who works flexibly to best meet the needs of the clients and the service. The social worker is able to create and provide evidence-based educational presentations to clients, families, other agencies, and fellow staff members on topics relating to mental health and concurrent disorders.

About You

We would love to hear from you if you have the following:

• Master of Social Work with a specialization in a clinical or mental health stream (if not available, a master’s degree in social work from an acceptable educational institution that can demonstrate a significant portion of coursework focused on mental health disorders and treatment)
• Registered with the Nova Scotia College of Social Work
• Two years of clinical experience in an inpatient/outpatient mental health setting, providing independent assessment and treatment of adult mental health disorders
• Two years of experience providing clinical therapies including cognitive behavior therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, family therapy and counselling.
• Competence in assessment, intervention (individual, family, and group) and research
• Specialized knowledge of acute and persistent mental illness and concurrent disorders
• Knowledge and competence in evidenced based interventions such as CBT, and risk assessment
• Evidence of knowledge and ability to complete mental health assessment, diagnosis and evidence-based treatment using the DSM-5
• Working knowledge of psychotropic pharmacology
• Understanding of substance use, abuse and dependency
• Knowledge of standards that guide the profession
• Knowledge of and ability to link to community resources
• Strong client focus and ability to build solid client/practitioner relationships
• Commitment to continuous improvement and innovation
• Commitment to promoting a culture that supports safety, ethical practices and organizational health
• Competencies in other languages an asset, French preferred

Please ensure your resume is up to date and includes all relevant education, experience, training, and certifications.