Forensic social worker Jobs in Surrey, BC

Forensic Social Worker (BSW), Minimum- and Maximum-Security Units

BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services

Coquitlam, BC

This is a Temporary Part-Time FTE; Until December 31, 2025) opportunity with the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital.

What is the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital

The Forensic Psychiatric Hospital (FPH) is a 190-bed secure facility located in Coquitlam, on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded core territory of the kwikwəƛ̓əm First Nation (Kwikwetlem). We treat people who have been found not criminally responsible for a crime or unfit to stand trial due to a mental health disorder. We deliver services to patients using the “Clinical Program Model,” which aims to deliver high-quality care to meet the specific needs of patients and is currently the best practice in health care.

What you’ll do

• Complete a full biopsychosocial social work assessment of adults experiencing severe psychiatric and behavioral difficulties who have been referred by the Courts by methods such as interviewing patients to identify their developmental history and their perception of level of social functioning and problems; interviewing family members and other community sources for collateral information reviewing referral information from Police, Court and other community agencies; preparing a written assessment that may be utilized in Court, submitting recommendations and information related to diagnosis, fitness to stand trial, mental state at a time of offence and treatment plans; identifying client needs, problem areas and formulating treatment goals; preparing ongoing written assessment of client progress and submitting written reports to the Board of Review and / or Review Panel regarding recommendation for release.
• Collaborate and consult with other professional in the multi-disciplinary team in the coordination and review of patient treatment by methods such as participating in treatment conferences to determine team members responsibilities; monitoring treatment plans, re-evaluating and modifying treatment to meet changing needs of patients and / or his / her support system; providing systems perspective including family, social and community network to other team members; acting as a client advocate; planning client discharge and release to the community by arranging pre-placement visits, referrals to boarding homes, and community mental health support agencies; maintaining comprehensive documentation ensuring case reviews and tracking of client’s treatment progress; and providing information and support to families on an ongoing basis.
• Provide psychosocial intervention and treatment services for psychiatric patients who may be held under Order-in-Council; Mental Health Act certification, Court Order and / or Informal criteria by methods such as functioning as Primary Counsellor for identified patients (psychotherapy and behavioural); carrying out evidence based individual, group and family therapies according to a variety of theoretical models; establishing and maintaining therapeutic relationships based on respect; providing supportive counselling to improve social functioning, self-esteem and independence for clients; providing group work treatment on alcohol and / or drug addiction and sex offender target groups; providing social skills and psycho-educational training; and providing psychosocial counselling.
• Provide information, support and facilitate transition into FPSC by methods such as assessing client eligibility for income assistance and Legal Aid; retrieving patient belongings including arranging for property storage and rent payment; assisting the client and / or applying on behalf of clients for various needs, social insurance, birth certificate, handicapped benefits, Canada disability pension, Comfort Allowance; initiating Power of Attorney, guardianship and trusteeship for patients; and networking and interfacing with community support groups and agencies.
• Maintain concise and accurate documentation of relevant information on client files in accordance with FPSC policy standards to meet regulatory requirements and provide evidence and rationale to support findings and treatment plan such as compiling pertinent background information. Provides written reports and summaries as per FPSC policy, standards and guidelines.

What you bring

Qualifications

Core Competencies

Skills & Knowledge

What we bring

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.

2% of the straight-time hourly rate of pay for employees working in Minimum and Medium security units and community settings; 4% of the straight-time hourly rate of pay for employees working in Maximum and Multi-level security units.

Location :   70 Colony Farm Rd, Coquitlam, BC V3K 5Z1

Hours of Work :   Monday – Wednesday; 0800-1600

Requisition #  182062E

What we do

BCMHSUS) cares for people with complex mental health and substance use challenges.

BCMHSUS program is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).

plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include : Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Cultivate partnerships – Serve with purpose.

PHSA and BCMHSUS are committed to employment equity, encouraging all qualified individuals to apply. We recognize that our ability to provide the best care for our diverse patient populations relies on a rich diversity of skills, knowledge, background and experience, and value a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment.

Learn more about PHSA and our programs :

PHSA is committed to anti-racism and equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and / or persistently excluded groups identified under the Human Rights Code.

One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes ongoing commitments to Indigenous recruitment and employee experience as well as dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and / or contact the Sanya’k̓ula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at .

Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and exclusion faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and title of BC First Nations and self-determination of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. PHSA is mandated to uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents including the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan : A First Nations Case Study.

Attention current employees of PHSA :

You must apply via your internal profile at  .

The internal job posting expires on  April 14, 2025  and will no longer be accessible. If the internal job posting has expired, please e-mail with the six-digit job requisition number and your PHSA employee ID number to be considered as a late internal applicant.  Please do not apply for the external job posting.

If you have not yet set up an internal profile, please e-mail with your PHSA employee ID number to obtain your temporary password. Our business hours are Monday-Friday 8 : 30am-4 : 30pm, excluding Statutory Holidays and a Help Desk Representative will respond to you with 1-2 business days.

If you are not a current employee of PHSA and require assistance with your application, please contact the External Careers team at  .