SOCIAL WORKER, SPECIALIZED MENTAL HEALTH & SUBSTANCE USE OUTREACH

Position Summary

Are you a registered Social Worker, Specialized Mental Health & Substance Use Outreach looking to highlight your knowledge, skills, and abilities in a new and dynamic environment? We currently have an opportunity for you to bring your excellent work ethic to our Specialized Services department.

In accordance with the established mission, vision, values, and strategic priorities of Northern Health, and under the general supervision of Manager or designate, this position report to the Team Lead (and to the Clinical Practice Lead-SW for clinical guidance, where applicable), the Social Worker provides clinical social work counselling services to clients and families with serious, persistent mental illness and substance use in the clinical specialty area within the Specialized MHSU Outreach Services program. Conducts comprehensive social work and psychosocial assessments of clients with mental illness and substance misuse/dependence using a variety of modalities and in accordance with professional standards and clinical policies and practices. Educates and provides support and consultation to clients, families, and healthcare professionals. As a member of an integrated, interdisciplinary team, takes a key role in discharge planning and ensuring optimal continuity of care through activities such as liaison, referral, advocacy, coordination, brokerage, and pre-placement visits. Develops, coordinates, and delivers in-services, presentations, psycho-educational and support groups.

Shift Rotation/Hours of work:: Monday to Friday, Days - 08:00 to 16:00

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from an accredited school of Social Work.
• Two (2) years' recent, related experience in a mental health treatment setting or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Current full registration with the BC College of Social Workers.
• Valid Class 5 BC driver's license with access to personal vehicle for business purposes.

Skills and Abilities:
• Comprehensive knowledge of Social Work theory and practice.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct and document a comprehensive psychosocial assessment.
• Demonstrated ability to work with marginalized and culturally diverse populations including those with chemical dependency, mental illness, and homelessness.
• Demonstrated listening and information seeking skills that promotes communication and lead to a cooperative approach to problem solving within a multidisciplinary setting.
• Demonstrated ability to establish rapport with clients and families in order to explore issues that are beyond the initial presented concerns.
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of emotional issues related to mental illness and addictions and client and family cultural dynamics.
• Comprehensive counseling skills including crisis counseling, brief therapeutic interventions and group work applicable to clients and families.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize workload in a complex environment.
• Ability to educate and provide consultation to clients, families, and healthcare professionals.
• Ability to provide leadership to the interdisciplinary team in care planning for the effective utilization of client resources.
• Ability to make effective referrals, reflecting in-depth knowledge of community resources and strong collaborative skills in working with community health and social agency personnel.
• Crisis prevention/intervention and conflict resolution/de-escalation skills.
• Working knowledge of harm reduction principles
• Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment as well as capacity to work in partnership with other community agencies.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with clients, families and staff and community agency personnel.
• Ability to develop, coordinate and deliver in-services, presentations, psychoeducational and support groups.
• Demonstrated skill in CPR techniques and First-aid.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.

Where you will be working:
Community:
Information about living, working, and thriving in the area is available through Burns Lake

More about Northern Health
Northern Health covers nearly 600,000 square kilometers, delivering health services to more than two dozen communities and 55 First Nations communities across the region. We provide both hospital and community-based care to a population of approximately 300,000 people. With a team of over 12,000 staff and physicians, we are committed to offering high quality, person centered care in collaboration with communities and partner organizations throughout Northern BC.

What Northern Health Has to Offer You!
Joining Northern Health means becoming part of a supportive team that values your growth and well-being. Here’s what we provide:
• Comprehensive benefits including extended health, dental, and a municipal pension plan for part-time and full-time employees. Casual employees have option of paying for benefits.
• Four weeks of vacation after one year of continuous service.
• Financial support for moving expenses for eligible positions.
• Employee referral program with attractive incentives.
• Employer-paid training and leadership development opportunities.
• Access to spectacular outdoor activities and enjoy the shortest commutes in BC.
• Loan Forgiveness Programs offered through Federal and Provincial Government for eligible professions.

Important Application Information
Please ensure you upload the following documents as part of your application:
• Registration number (if you belong to a regulated profession).
• Supporting documents for education and qualifications, such as:
• Program certificates or diplomas.
• High school, college, or university transcripts.
• Cover letter and resume (recommended).

International Applicants
Before applying, please review the steps outlined on our Northern Health Careers page: Information for international applicants