Description

JOB SUMMARY:

In accordance with the British Columbia College of Social Workers and within VCH policies, guidelines, clinical practice documents, the Social Worker practices within a harm reduction, culturally safe, trauma informed, recovery oriented, and client-centred model of care. Provides direct care activities such as psycho-social assessment, client-centred care plan development and implementation, care co-ordination, brokerage, group and program delivery, evaluation and documentation of client care, as part of an integrated care team. Works with clients and families who are experiencing health challenges and to help identify client/family goals to address issues such as, but not limited to mental health and substance use, chronic disease, homelessness, complex care issues, and other social determinants of health.

Provides continuity of care by liaising with team members, coordinating ongoing care, supporting transitions and navigating services

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education & Experience

Master’s Degree in Social Worker plus three (3) years’ recent related experience providing professional services to youth with substance use, addictions and/or concurrent disorders or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Current full registration with the British Columbia College of Social Workers. Local area travel requests a valid BC Drivers License and access to a personal vehicle for which mileage will be reimbursed.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Comprehensive knowledge of other health care disciplines and their role in client care.

Demonstrated ability in dealing with a variety of situations and responsibilities requiring initiative, creativity and professional judgment.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of a client and family centered recovery model in mental illness.

Knowledge and skills to provide care coordination to a select caseload of clients.

Knowledge of appropriate acts; e.g. Mental Health Act, Child, Family and Community Services Act, Infant’s Act, Adult Guardianship, Public Health Act as it relates to the rights and obligations of clients and staff.



Knowledge and experience providing culturally secure and competent care including but not exclusive to indigenous (or aboriginal) clients and families.

Knowledge and experience in Trauma Informed Practice, Harm Reduction and Recovery Oriented

Care.

Broad knowledge of crisis intervention and supportive counseling skills.

Broad knowledge of or understanding of adverse childhood experiences, the health outcomes of positive experience, resilience and implications for health, attachment, parenting and healing.

Broad knowledge of and skill in assessment and interventions pertaining to mental health, illness, and treatment including CBT and DBT treatment modalities.

Knowledge and skill in assessment and interventions pertaining to substance use and addictions treatment.

Broad knowledge and experience with child development, parenting and attachment theory.

Broad knowledge of other facilities, local health and social systems and community resources.

Knowledge, skill and experience with motivational interviewing approach to assessments and communication.

Knowledge and experience in working with families who live in context of interpersonal violence.

Demonstrated ability to conduct mental status exams and suicide risk assessments.

Demonstrated ability to provide care planning, supportive counseling, crisis intervention, and care coordination.

Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with clients and their families, colleagues, physicians, and other health care staff, both one-on-one and in groups. Demonstrated listening and information seeking skills that promotes communication and lead to a cooperative approach to problem solving within a multidisciplinary setting.

Demonstrated ability to establish workload priorities.





Demonstrated ability to document practice in electronic record as per agency protocols following established documentation framework and guidelines.

Demonstrated ability to adjust schedule to deal with unexpected situations.

Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively as a member of a multidisciplinary team.

Demonstrated ability to provide consultation and leadership.

Demonstrated ability to problem solve and use critical thinking skills.

Demonstrated ability to deal effectively with conflict situations.

Ability to operate related equipment.

Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

Basic computer literacy to operate a computerized client care information system and word processing, Internet and email software.

The hours of work including days off and work area may be subject to change consistent with operational requirements and the provision of the Collective Agreement and applicable statutes.

Details

At Vancouver Coastal Health, our vision of healthy lives in healthy communities inspires us and our values and pillars guide us. We support equitable practices, diverse teams and inclusive environments, which are vital to creating welcoming spaces where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and feel supported. We encourage applications from equity-deserving communities, including Indigenous Peoples and members of racialized groups, people with disabilities and people of all gender identities and expressions and sexual orientation.

Vancouver Coastal Health is proud to be recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers, BC’s Top Employers, Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and Canada's Top Employers for Young People in 2026.

Unless otherwise noted on the posting, internal job postings close at 8:00 AM Pacific Time on the listed Closing Date. Please submit your digital application via the Internal Career Portal prior to the Closing Date & Time.

Nursing & LPN successful applicants will be notified by email.

We regret that only short listed candidates will be acknowledged.

This is an internal job posting for Vancouver Coastal Health employees only.

📌 Social Worker (MSW) (Vancouver)
🏢 Vancouver Coastal Health
📍 Vancouver