Community Outreach Worker

Req ID: 209768

Location: Central Zone, The Bridge - Dartmouth

Department: OPCZ STRAT-ALT HOUSING BRIDGE-DGH

Type of Employment: PermanentHourly FT (100%) x 1

NSGEU Healthcare Position

Posting Closing Date: 9-Dec-25

Nova Scotia Health is the largest provider of health services in Nova Scotia, with some specialized services also offered to clients throughout Atlantic Canada. We're on a mission to achieve excellence in health, healing, and learning through working together, which is reflected in the hospitals, health centres, and community-based programs we operate across the province. Our passionate team of professionals provides a variety of high-quality inpatient and outpatient services including academic, tertiary, and quaternary care, as well as continuing care, primary health care, public health, and mental health and addictions. Join a diverse team of innovators, collaborators, and creative thinkers today.

Nova Scotia Health employs professionals in all corners of our beautiful province. We believe there's a place here for everyone to call home, from vibrant cities with exuberant nightlife to quaint towns with picturesque trails. The work-life balance that comes with a Nova Scotia Health role means you'll have the time to explore, discover, and participate in that coveted Atlantic lifestyle. Visit us today and check out to see why more people from across the globe are moving here.

Reporting to the Bridge Community Transitions Health Services Manager, the Community Outreach Worker (COW) provides a range of clinical services to unhoused adults affected by mental illness and/or substance use. The COW may be working in both clinic and community settings providing a wide range of services including screening, assessment, brief intervention, case management/navigation, individual and group supports. This position will be a member of the Bridge Community Transition Team and play a key role in navigation, advocacy, and the coordination of resources and services within Mental Health and Addictions and the community. This role is aligned with the Bridge Health Service delivery program and will focus on the development, implantation of peer-based programming at 'The Bridge.' The COW must be knowledgeable and use principles of harm reduction, community development and psychosocial rehabilitation PSR). The successful candidate will serve as a resource to colleagues, clients and family members and will create and enrich linkages with organizations and agencies within their community.

We would love to hear from you if you have the following:

• Bachelor of Social Work, Master of Social Work considered an asset
• Registered or eligible for registration with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers (NSCSW)
• Minimum one (1) year post BSW clinical experience in Mental Health and Addictions required, two (2) years preferred
• Experience working with those who are unhoused and other vulnerable population considered an asset
• Screening and risk assessment skills, including suicide risk assessment required
• High degree of independent practice, excellent assessment skills, and the ability to implement an evidenced based plan of care
• Working knowledge of the DSM
• Experience in offering brief, supportive intervention strategies focusing on harm reduction and recovery where appropriate
• Ability to navigate and de-escalate situations and offer crisis support
• Group facilitation skills
• Ability to use motivational interviewing skills and engage with clients/families
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in peer-based programming principles is considered an asset
• Demonstrated knowledge of community resources and program and community development methods considered an asset
• Demonstrated knowledge of recovery-oriented practice and client and family centered care
• Knowledge of social determinants of health/social context and its importance to decision formulation
• Knowledge and experience with a trauma informed care approach
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Competencies in other languages an asset

Please ensure your resume is up to date and includes all relevant education, experience, training, and certifications.

• Permanent Full Time; 75 hours bi-weekly
• This position is located at the Bridge in Dartmouth

$ $46.37 hourly

Successful candidates may be eligible for our benefits package which includes health, dental, travel, long-term disability, and life insurance coverage as well as a defined benefit pension plan.

Once You've Applied

Thank you for your interest in this position. Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

This is a Healthcare bargaining unit position. Preference is given to bargaining unit employees for unionized positions. Employees are encouraged to view their seniority hours and dates in their SuccessFactors online profile. Successful applicants changing unions, bargaining units, or employment status, are advised to seek clarification regarding their seniority, benefits, and vacation entitlement and/or usage, prior to accepting the position.

Nova Scotia Health is committed to being a workforce that is free of discrimination, values diversity, and is representative, at all job levels, of the people we serve. We encourage all qualified applicants who self-identify as Indigenous, Black/African Nova Scotian, Persons of Colour, Foreign Nationals/Newcomers, Persons with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ to apply and self-identify.