Social Worker

**Job Description**:
In accordance with the Vision, Purpose, and Values, and strategic direction of Island Health (Vancouver Island Health Authority), patient and staff safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone; as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

Reporting to the Manager or designate, performs professional social work within the organization's framework and standards, including a trauma informed and strength-based approach, assertive outreach, harm reduction, cultural safety, and awareness of gender and sexuality considerations within their practice. As a member of an interdisciplinary care team the youth and family mental health and substance use Social Worker provides comprehensive psychosocial assessment and intervention services including crisis intervention, psycho-education, short-term counseling, individual, family and group therapy as well as case management, collaboration with team members, and an integrated plan of action for the youth with further community partners. This work emphasizes consultation and advocacy with staff, the Ministry for Children and Family Development, and other relevant community agencies.

Travel is a requirement of this position. Transportation arrangements must meet the operational requirements of the Vancouver Island Health Authority in accordance with the service assignment and may require the use of a personal vehicle

**QUALIFICATIONS**:
**Education, Training And Experience**:

- Master's Degree in Social Work degree (MSW) from an accredited school of Social Work; and
- Current full registration with the BC College of Social Workers (BCCSW); and
- A minimum of two years recent experience working with children, youth, and families or mental health, in a setting or related field and experience providing mental health assessment and treatment with children, youth and their families; and
- Advanced clinical understanding of substance use with or without concurring mental health, psychosis, early mood disorders and concurrent disorders including diagnostic criteria, treatment, rehabilitation and family/community care and support; and
- Knowledge of mental health status assessment, substance use screening, suicide assessment, counseling principles and interview techniques; and
- Valid Class 5 BC driver's license

An equivalent combination of education, training and experience may be considered.

**Skills And Abilities**:

- Demonstrated ability to conduct and document a comprehensive psychosocial and family assessment in mental health
- Demonstrated ability to build relationships and nurture an environment of quality, trauma informed, and culturally safe care
- Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to provide crisis intervention, short term counselling and individual, family and group therapy using evidence-informed approaches including motivational interviewing, strength-based approach and harm reduction strategies.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively in an inter-disciplinary environment.
- Strong short-term case-management skills
- Ability to use initiative and exercise judgment.
- Excellent verbal and written communications skills, and a demonstrated ability to deal effectively with co-workers, physicians, other health care professionals, clients and their families, and external agencies in order to build an effective network of care for clients and families.
- Ability to establish priorities and organize workload.
- Demonstrated ability to engage and work with children and adolescents with mental health/substance use issues and their families.
- Demonstrated knowledge of relevant legislation.
- Demonstrated knowledge of substance use and mental health conditions
- Demonstrated knowledge of community agencies and resources
- Demonstrated group leadership and public speaking skills

**Job Requirements**: