Community Outreach Worker - Mental Health & Addictions

Req ID: 225310
Location: Central Zone, Nova Scotia Hospital
Department: MHA Strat Recovery Support Centre - NSH
Type of Employment: Temporary Hourly FT long-assignment (100%) x 1
Union: NSGEU Healthcare Position
Posting Closing Date: 25-Aug-26

About the Opportunity

Reporting to the Health Services Manager, the Community Outreach Worker (COW) provides a range of clinical services to adults and their families affected by mental illness and/or substance use or gambling disorder. The COW may be working in both clinic and community settings providing a wide range of services including screening, assessment, brief intervention, case management/navigation, individual and group treatment. This position will play a key role in navigation, advocacy, and the coordination of resources and services within Mental Health and Addictions and the community. The COW must be knowledgeable and use principles of harm reduction, community development and psychosocial rehabilitation PSR). The successful candidate will serve as a resource to colleagues, clients and family members and will create and enrich linkages with organizations and agencies within their community.

About You

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

• Bachelor of Social Work
• Must be registered or eligible for registration with professional regulatory body.
• One year post BSW clinical experience in Mental Health and Addictions required
• Screening and risk assessment skills, including suicide risk assessment
• This role requires a high degree of independent practice, excellent assessment skills, and the ability to implement an evidenced based plan of care.
• Working knowledge of the DSM
• Experience in offering brief, supportive intervention strategies focusing on harm reduction and recovery
• Ability to navigate and de-escalate situations and offer crisis support.
• Group facilitation skills.
• Ability to use motivational interviewing skills and engage with clients/families
• Demonstrated knowledge of community resources and program and community development methods
• Demonstrated knowledge of recovery-oriented practice and client and family centered care
• Knowledge of social determinants of health/social context and its importance to decision formulation
• Knowledge and experience with a trauma informed care approach
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to build and maintain collaborative working relationships
• Strong problem solving skills
• Demonstrated ability to make sound and reliable clinical decisions
• 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.

Hours

• Long assignment full-time position; 75 hours biweekly

Compensation and Benefits

$35.83 - $46.37 hourly
Developmental (less than 1 year experience): $34.80 - $43.30 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.