Social service director Jobs in Halifax, NS

Click here to apply as an internal applicant.

Company :  IWK Health

Req ID : 196723

Department / Program : Emergency MH and Addiction Service , Mental Health And Addictions

Location :  Halifax

Type of Employment : Permanent   Hourly PT ( 40%  FTE)   x 1  position(s)

Start Date : February 2025

Union Status :   NSGEU Hlthcare , Healthcare Bargaining Unit

Compensation : $ 39.3919 - $ 53.5968   / hour

Closing Date : February 18, 2025 (Applications are accepted until 23 : 59 Atlantic Time)

IWK Health is a respected academic health sciences centre located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, providing tertiary and primary care for two million children, youth, adults and families each year across the Atlantic region. We have a team of approximately 4000 employees, physicians, volunteers and learners at sites across Nova Scotia . People build careers with IWK Health with our focus on training and mentorship opportunities. We recognize each other’s talent and celebrate our successes. We collaborate in modern facilities or virtually from home, align our work to our values , and enjoy access to enhanced benefits and wellness programs. We are proud to support our patients, families and communities and are grateful for the generous donor support we receive.

Promoting an anti-racist environment, and calling out discrimination as we work and provide care, is important to us. We are located in Mi’kma’ki, the unceded and ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq people. Working in Mi’kma’ki and providing care to those across Atlantic Canada is a shared privilege with the original inhabitants who have lived here for many thousands of years prior to colonization. There are 13 First Nation communities across Nova Scotia, and more than 50 historic African Nova Scotian communities who also have a long, deep, and complex history dating back over 400 years. We have the highest percentage of people with disabilities in the country. Nova Scotia has the highest proportions of transgender and non-binary people than any other province or territory in the country. We are active in our work to eliminate discrimination, but have more work to do to build that trust, acknowledge our biases and reduce the barriers our diverse communities face. We want IWK Health to be a safe and supportive space of equity and belonging in the care we provide and the employment we offer. We welcome all interested persons who self-identify as Indigenous, Black / African Nova Scotians, Persons of Colour, Immigrants / Newcomers, Persons with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ to apply to support our goal for our workforce to be representative of the patients, families, and communities that we care for at all job levels.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Manager of the Emergency Mental Health & Addictions Service (EMHAS), the Social Worker is responsible and accountable for conducting emergency mental health assessments including but not limited to assessment of mental status indicators, multiple risk factors, symptom history, and presenting problems. This role requires independent skills at assessment and formulation of complex presenting problems and the ability to work collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team within the EMHAS as well as the IWK Emergency Department.  In addition to providing emergency mental health assessments the Social Worker provides crisis intervention and crisis stabilization. The successful applicant will have sound knowledge of the DSM V classifications and pertinent mental health legislation. The EMHAS social worker acts as an advocate for patients and assists patients and families by facilitating referrals for both internal / external follow up services. The successful applicant will be able to manage stressful situations effectively and have demonstrated flexibility / ability to work under pressure within a changing environment.

Hours of Work

15 hours per week (may include day and evening shifts)

Your Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Social Work required.
• Registered for registration with the Nova Scotia Association of Social Workers (NSASW) required.
• Minimum two (2) years post Master's experience in Mental Health Crisis Work / Crisis stabilization / or comparable experience in mental health treatment required; preference for experience working with children, adolescents and their families.
• Previous experience in a combination of the following considered an asset; child welfare; addictions.
• Current NVCI Training required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with the DSM 5 diagnostic classification system.
• Demonstrated organizational, time management and coordination skills.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize multiple competing workload demands.
• Excellent critical thinking, communication (verbal & written) and interpersonal skills required.
• Ability to work collaboratively on an interdisciplinary mental health / health team providing emergency-based care.
• Demonstrated knowledge of child / youth development, cultural competence and a strong understanding of how the social determinants of health impact on mental / physical health.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively consult and bridge care with other health, social service and community agencies.
• Excellent problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills.
• Demonstrated awareness of IWK Health policies and community resources.
• Demonstrated knowledge in family care and trauma-informed care required.
• Demonstrated ability to manage stressful situation effectively.
• Nonviolent crisis intervention certification preferred.
• An understanding of the Choice and Partnership approach (CAPA) will be considered an asset.
• Competency in other languages an asset.

Thank you for your interest in IWK Health.

Please note that we only contact applicants selected for interview / testing. If we invite you to participate in an assessment process (such as an interview or testing) you have the right to request accommodation. Please discuss your needs when invited to the assessment process.

This is a Healthcare   bargaining  unit position. Preference is given to bargaining unit employees for unionized positions. Successful applicants changing unions, bargaining units or employment status, are advised to seek clarification regarding their seniority, benefits, and vacation entitlement and / or usage, prior to accepting the position.

An offer of employment is conditional upon the completion and satisfactory results of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials.

I f you are an employee of IWK Health , please apply through the internal careers page to ensure you are flagged as an internal applicant.