Social Worker

Social Worker (MSW), Community Transition Team
Nanaimo Correctional Centre, Correctional Health Services

BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services
Nanaimo, BC

Are you a Social Worker who resides outside of the Lower Mainland in British Columbia? Relocation Assistance is available for this opportunity

Correctional Health Services (CHS) is a province-wide, specialized program providing care for clients who are incarcerated in one of BC's 10 provincial correctional facilities. We believe everyone deserves a chance to access healthcare treatments and heal, and CHS offers a non-judgemental place to help make that happen. Check out what it means to be apart of the CHS team HERE. Please indicate in your cover letter why you are interested in joining our Nanaimo Correctional Centre

What you'll do

• Conduct comprehensive health, concurrent disorder, mental health and/or substance use, and family assessments by methods such as interviewing the client and family, obtaining relevant information, gathering social data regarding the client and family and formulation of assessment and plan of intervention, in accordance with professional practice standards and clinical policies.
• Provide clinical intervention in the context of evidence-based care to clients and their families through individual, family and group therapy.
• Support clients and their families by providing education, short-term counselling and crisis intervention after the client's release from the provincial correctional centres regarding concurrent disorder, mental health and/or substance use issues, child welfare and custody proceedings and change or loss in health functioning.
• Facilitate comprehensive discharge planning for designated clients with the team, client, family and community agencies to ensure psycho-social follow-up.
• Establish and maintain effective collaborative and constructive liaison relationships with a variety of individuals and groups, including clients and families, community providers, MCFD social workers, schools, hospitals and other agencies, in order to coordinate services across the continuum of health care.
• Carry out community outreach services, peer involvement, and community partner resource engagement by methods such as liaising about client resources and access to these resources; engaging with community partners and working collaboratively, providing input from a clinical perspective and to coordinate resources, and acting as an advocate for the program and clients. Actively engage with and supports the clients to access community service providers on a scheduled and as needed basis.

What you bring

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Social Work from an accredited School of Social Work, including relevant graduate level mental health courses and mental health practicum.
• Minimum 1 year recent related clinical experience working within a correctional health or other related setting; must include experience in child protection, child development and grief and loss, women's issues, women abuse and harm reduction model; or an equivalent combination of education, training or experience.
• Current full registration with the British Columbia College of Social Workers.
• Valid BC Driver's License. Local area travel may require the use of a personal vehicle.

Skills and Knowledge

• Comprehensive knowledge of Social Work theory and practice, trauma informed care. Demonstrated ability to conduct and document a comprehensive psychosocial and family assessment in a correctional health context.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to provide crisis intervention, short term counselling and individual, family and group therapy.
• Knowledge of the psychosocial needs of clients and their families.
• 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 and BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act
• 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, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
• 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).
• Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.

Job Type: Regular Full-Time (1.00 FTE)
Wage: $ $54.79 per hour
Location: 3945 Biggs Road, Nanaimo, BC V9R 5N3
Applications will be accepted until position is filled
Hours of Work: Monday-Friday
Requisition 167951E

As per the current Public Health Order, full vaccination against COVID-19 is a condition of employment with PHSA as of October 26, 2021.

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:

PHSA and (Program) is committed to equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently marginalized groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.

One of PHSA's North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya'kula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at

Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and marginalization faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and self-determination of Indigenous communities. PHSA must uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents such as including Truth & Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study.

ATTN: PHSA Employees:

To be considered as a PHSA employee (internal applicant) for this position, you must apply online via your internal profile at

Please note the internal job posting will no longer be accessible after the expiry date of June 30, 2023. If the internal job posting has expired, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk and advise that you would like to be considered as a late internal applicant for this position. Please do not apply for the external job posting.

If you have not registered your internal profile, a password is required to log in for the first time. To obtain your password, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk at or . Please note regular business hours are Monday - Friday (excluding stats), 8:30am to 4:30pm. For inquiries outside of regular business hours, please email the Internal Jobs Help Desk at and a Help Desk Representative will contact you the next business day.