Social Worker (BSW), Suspected Trauma and Abuse Response Team (START) & SeaStar

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Manager of Ambulatory Surgical Care, SeaStar & START, the Social Worker (BSW) is a member of the START and SeaStar interprofessional teams and is responsible for providing comprehensive bio-psychosocial assessment, psychoeducation, intervention resource counselling, and support for children and youth who may have experienced maltreatment while also providing comprehensive care to their families through a family-centred approach. The Social Worker (BSW) empathically and effectively collects clinical information from clients, families and collateral sources and uses informed clinical judgement to develop and coordinate case formulations and appropriate care plans in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team including medical and nursing colleagues, and partner agencies. The Social Worker (BSW) has knowledge of available resources within the IWK Health Centre, partner agencies, and community, and facilitates appropriate navigation, referrals, and follow-up for families. The Social Worker (BSW) may provide brief interventions, check-ins, psychosocial support, and support with screening and comprehensive assessment, as required and in collaboration with START’s Clinical Social Worker (MSW). Other responsibilities include attending and contributing to interprofessional team meetings, liaising with a range of health, community, and government services emphasizing enhancing collaborative partnerships, supporting effective transitions of care, and building knowledge and capacity. 

The Social Worker (BSW) may supervise BSW student placements, teach, and support program development, program evaluation, and quality improvement as needed. They exhibit a commitment to the highest standard of professional integrity, by interacting with colleagues, patients, families, students, and partners respectfully and collaboratively in keeping with principles of client-centred, family-centred, strengths-based, and trauma-informed care, IWK Health standards, professional boundaries, and their own Standards of Professional Practice as applicable.

Hours of Work

Monday to Friday 8:30 - 4:30, some evenings and weekends may be required. 37.5 hours bi-weekly.

Your Qualifications

• Bachelor of Social Work required.
• Current license, or eligible for licensure, as a registered social worker with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers (NSCSW) required.
• Minimum of two (2) years related professional experience, required. Other equivalent experience may be considered. 
• Three (3) to five (5) years' experience in intake and/or client navigation, preferred.
• Experience in child protection settings preferred.
• Current successful completion of a Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada Basic Life Support (BLS) Program within the last 12 months or successful completion of a BLS Renewal Challenge Certificate required.
• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) certification an asset.
• Knowledge of the social and structural determinants of health, developmental milestones, life transitions, family systems, human behavior, mental health & addictions, intimate partner violence, psychosocial interventions, cultural safety, and children’s health and wellness required.
• Knowledge of IWK and community resources and skills in navigating systems of care (e.g. Department of Community Services, Justice, Victim Services, law enforcement, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program).
• Ability to effectively and efficiently conduct in-person and telephone-facilitated intake to collect information, determine service needs, support patients and families, and book appointments.
• Ability to assess risk of harm to self and others and triage appropriately.
• Demonstrated working knowledge and ability to engage and treat an “at risk” population, preferred.
• Ability to accurately document and enter data into patient information systems required.
• Demonstrated commitment to professional development and life-long learning.
• Demonstrated clinical competence and experience with the described patient population.
• Knowledge of the Child and Family Services Act and other relevant legislation is required.
• Experience in case management, advocacy, solution focused interventions, and brief therapeutic interventions preferred.
• Demonstrated excellent triaging, time management, critical thinking, organization, decision-making, and problem-solving skills required.
• Demonstrated ability to use an anti-oppressive framework in practice. 
• Demonstrated understanding and embodiment of trauma-informed practice. Demonstrated exceptional interpersonal, presentation and communication (verbal and written) skills required.
• Demonstrated comfort and skill in working collaboratively with internal and external partnerships required.
• Experience in Meditech, MS Outlook, and MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) preferred.
• Ability to work effectively, both independently and collaboratively, in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. 
• Ability to work and communicate effectively in person, by phone, and virtually as required.
• Able to work respectfully, collaboratively, and consultative as part of an interprofessional team.
• Competencies in other languages an asset.