Health Care Social Worker (Masters) - First Nations - Mental Health & Addictions

​Req ID: 203318
Location: Eastern Zone, Cape Breton Regional Hospital  
Department: MHA Youth First Nations CBR
Type of Employment: Permanent Hourly FT (100%) x 1 
UNIFOR Healthcare Position
Posting Closing Date: 30-May-25

Nova Scotia Health is the largest provider of health services in Nova Scotia, with some specialized services also offered to clients throughout Atlantic Canada. We’re on a mission to achieve excellence in health, healing, and learning through working together, which is reflected in the hospitals, health centres, and community-based programs we operate across the province. Our passionate team of professionals provides a variety of high-quality inpatient and outpatient services including academic, tertiary, and quaternary care, as well as continuing care, primary health care, public health, and mental health and addictions. Join a diverse team of innovators, collaborators, and creative thinkers today.

Nova Scotia Health employs professionals in all corners of our beautiful province. We believe there's a place here for everyone to call home, from vibrant cities with exuberant nightlife to quaint towns with picturesque trails. The work-life balance that comes with a Nova Scotia Health role means you'll have the time to explore, discover, and participate in that coveted Atlantic lifestyle. Visit us today and check out www.novascotia.com to see why more people from across the globe are moving here.

About the Opportunity

Reporting to the Manager of Child and Adolescent Services - Mental Health and Addictions, the Social Worker works with children and adolescents up to the nineteenth birthday providing assessment and treatment for children and adolescents who have mental health or concurrent disorders. Child and Adolescent Services is a multi-discipline service (which includes Psychology, Social Work, Psychiatry, Clinical Therapists and Behavioural Interventionists) that provides service in the hospital clinic, schools, and satellite clinics. Services can include individual, family based, or group therapy. Participating in the delivery of evidence-based group therapy is required.

About You

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

• Masters Degree in Social Work with a specialization in a clinical mental health and/ or addiction stream from an accredited program specializing in children, adolescents and families
• If above not available, a Masters Degree in Social Work from an acceptable educational institution that can demonstrate a significant portion of coursework focused on the areas of children, adolescents and families
• Registered or eligible to register with the appropriate regulatory body within the Province of Nova Scotia
• Minimum two (2) years' experience providing mental health services to preschoolers, children and adolescents within a mental health setting
• Knowledge of the DSM-IV-5 and ability to use to screen for, assess and conceptualize common childhood mental health disorders (ADHD, anxiety, depression, behavior disorders) and the ability to identify and refer on more severe disorders (e.g. psychosis, bipolar disorder)
• Demonstrated diagnostic experience completing mental health assessments and implementing evidence-based treatment plans for children and adolescents
• Demonstrated knowledge and practice of principles of behavior management, cognitive behavior therapy, family and systems-based work, group therapy and other evidence-based practices
• Ability to screen for concurrent Mental Health disorders
• Knowledge of the impact of substance use on other mental health disorders and vice versa
• Demonstrated experience in crisis and suicide risk assessment and intervention
• Demonstrated ability to assess family functioning including impact of marital discord, family violence/neglect, attachment, parental trauma/addictions, grief, social determinants of health, and social supports
• Demonstrated ability to implement family-based interventions for complex cases with complicated family dynamics (e.g., high levels of conflict, parent mental health issues, child welfare, substance-abuse, attachment issues, etc.)
• Exemplary ability to coordinate the development of effective linkages with other health, justice, education, social service and community agencies as needed
• Demonstrated leadership skills in working collaboratively and cooperatively with other professionals
• Excellent written and oral presentation skills
• 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

• Pernanent, Full-Time: 75 hours Bi-weekly

Compensation and Benefits

$40.17 - $56.03 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.

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. Employees are encouraged to view their seniority hours and dates in their SuccessFactors online profile. 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.

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.