Health Care Social Worker (Bachelor's) - Recovery Support Centre - Mental Health & Addictions

​Req ID: 223035
Location: Western Zone, Soldiers Memorial Hospital  
Department: MHA WZ Withdrawal Management AV
Type of Employment: Permanent Hourly FT (100%) x 1 
Union: NSGEU Healthcare Position
Posting Closing Date: 30-Jul-26

About the Opportunity

Under the direction of the Manager for Recovery Support Services, the Social Worker will work within a multi-disciplinary team and will be responsible for providing a wide range of clinical services to individuals including: screening, assessment, individual counselling, treatment planning, discharge planning, crisis intervention, group programming, case management/navigation and consultation. The social worker will need to be knowledgeable and highly skilled in the utilization of harm reduction, recovery models and the psychosocial rehabilitation model (PSR). 

About You

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

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work
• Registered with the Nova Scotia College of Social Work (NSCSW)
• Two years’ (post BSW) related clinical experience (preferably working with individuals with substance use/gambling concerns and/or mental health)
• Demonstrated knowledge of community resources/ programs and community development methods. 
• A high degree of proficiency in screening and risk assessment skills, including suicide risk assessment 
• An ability to build and maintain collaborative working relationships within health care and the community at large.   
• A  sound working knowledge of harm reduction strategies and stages of change theory
• Knowledge and experience with brief intervention strategies, solution focused approaches, motivational interviewing skills and client engagement strategies. 
• Knowledge and experience with trauma informed care approach.
• Knowledge of social determinants of health/social context and its importance to decision formulation. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of cultural sensitivity and cultural competency.
• High level of interpersonal awareness.
• Demonstrated knowledge of recovery oriented practice & patient and family centered care.
• The incumbent will need to have previous experience working with a significant amount of autonomy ensuring the plan of care is being fully articulated and work collaboratively with the care teams when adjustments are needed.
• Experienced in offering supportive brief intervention strategies focuses on harm reduction and recovery.
• Competencies in other languages an asset, French preferred

If there are no applicants with two (2) years experience, applicants with 1 year (1) year MHA experience will be evaluated. If there are no applicants with 1 year (1) year experiences, applicants with no MHA experience will be evaluated. 

Minimum two (2) years of experience required. If not available, candidates with less than two (2) years of experience may be considered for the selection process. If offered employment, they will be placed on the Health Care Social Worker (Developmental) scale.

Hours

• Permanent, full-time position; 75 hours bi-weekly
• Shifts include days, nights and weekends
• Travel to various sites may be required

Compensation and Benefits

$35.78 - $48.53 hourly

Successful candidates may be eligible for our benefits package which includes health, dental, travel, long-term disability, and life insurance coverage as well as a defined benefit pension plan.

What You'll Love About Nova Scotia Health

Nova Scotia Health is more than the province's largest provider of health services; we're a team driven by excellence in health, healing and learning. Across hospitals, health centres and community programs, our people deliver innovative, high-quality care that impacts lives across Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada.

From vibrant city life to scenic coastal communities, Nova Scotia offers a lifestyle as rewarding as the work itself. At Nova Scotia Health, you'll find meaningful career opportunities, supportive teams and the work-life balance to enjoy everything our beautiful province has to offer. Join us and discover why so many people are choosing to call Nova Scotia home.

Once You've Applied

Thank you for your interest in this position. Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. 

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

Nova Scotia Health is committed to being a workforce that is free of discrimination, values diversity, and is representative, at all job levels, of the people we serve. We encourage all qualified applicants who self-identify as Indigenous, Black/African Nova Scotian, Persons of Colour, Foreign Nationals/Newcomers, Persons with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ to apply and self-identify.