Social Worker I (MSW), Heartwood Centre for Women, BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services - Vancouver, BC

Social Worker I – MSW 
BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services
Vancouver, BC

Effective December 6, 2024, as negotiated in the latest collective agreement, a classification system will be implemented for the HSPBA roles in PHSA, effectively transitioning to a profile-based system. As a result, it may have impact to this job posting’s job title, job description, and wage range.

Heartwood Centre for Women (Heartwood) is a 30-inpatient bed, trauma informed, integrated treatment facility for women (19+), including members of Two-Spirit and gender-diverse communities, across B.C, who struggle with severe substance use and mental health challenges. We believe that people, when properly supported, have the strength and resiliency to manage their lives. Check out what it means to be apart of the Heartwood team HERE. To learn more about what belonging to BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services means, click HERE. Please indicate in your cover letter why you are interested in joining our team at Heartwood Centre for Women!

What you’ll do

• Conduct comprehensive psycho-social assessments by methods such as interviewing the client and/or family, obtaining relevant information, gathering social data regarding the client’s family, environment, living situation, and financial status, and interpreting the data to therapeutically impact the client's and family's coping abilities and intervenes in cases of complex social-emotional or family issues.
• Collaborate with designated care management personnel to facilitate the management of cases with complex discharge needs.  Receive referrals from care management personnel and other members of the interdisciplinary team to assist patients/families with complex emotional or social presentations, as well as facilitate care through the continuum.
• Provide individual, family and group counselling services by methods such as exploring emotional responses to illness/injury in order to identify problems, personal concerns and treatment objectives and to facilitate change in coping style, behaviour, attitude, feelings and adaptive responses to an adverse life event. Refer to community services for follow-up as necessary.
• Attend clinical/case conferences as a member of an interdisciplinary team for client reviews, admissions, and discharges by methods such as providing input from a social work perspective on a variety of care issues related to the client, and to ensure proper and effective treatment of the client.
• Provide consultative and direct services to clients, families, staff and community health professionals regarding issues such as adult guardianship, advanced directives, domestic violence, abuse or neglect, immigration, housing, financial concerns, or matters concerning government agencies (public trustee) and authorities (courts, police).
• Prepare and maintain client records by methods such as documenting client assessments, interventions, evaluations, modifications and client goals, charting client information, preparing progress notes and reports in accordance with established standards, policies and procedures, to meet regulatory requirements, and provide evidence and rationale that support findings and intervention plan.
• Develop research proposals and conducts approved social work interdisciplinary research and special projects, in collaboration with relevant personnel, through methods such as identifying current trends/gaps in the literature, writing research proposals/grant applications, developing and monitoring budgets, following through with research methodology and disseminating research findings. Ensure clinical practices and protocols are consistent with current research findings.

What you bring

Qualifications:

• Master of Social Work from an accredited School of Social Work and one (1) year post Bachelor of Social Work experience in a health care setting.
• Current full registration with the British Columbia College of Social Workers.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Broad knowledge of systems thinking as it related to social work process.
• Experience with other health disciplines and their role in healthcare.
• Understanding of research methodology.
• Counselling skills and clinical practice models.
• Family, group and change therapy experience.
• Legislation and government policies and procedures that relate to the client.
• Awareness of and commitment to learning and understanding the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight Report (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), and other related reports.
• Commitment to upholding the shared responsibility of creating lasting and meaningful reconciliation in Canada as per TRC (2015) and BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019).
• As a strong asset for consideration, we are looking for our successful candidate to have:  Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities impacting indigenous communities and familiarity with Indigenous Cultural Safety and anti-racism and accompanying reports (BC DRIPA, TRC, etc.)

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.

• Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth and development.
• Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles.
• Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
• Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
• PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
• Perks include access to fitness classes and discounts to 350 BC-wide recreational programs, travel, technology, car and bike sharing, and more.

Job Type: Casual (0.01 FTE)
Wage: $42.27 to $52.81 per hour.
Location: 4500 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1
Applications will be accepted until position is filled.

What we do

BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services (BCMHSUS) cares for people with complex mental health and substance use challenges.

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

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.

Learn more about PHSA and our programs:jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services

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.