Social Worker - Public Health

The salary range for this position is CAD $44.85/Hr. - CAD $56.02/Hr.

Come work as a Social Worker, Public Health with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) at qathet Public Health in Powell River, BC! Apply now to join the team!

Within the context of a client and population centered care model and in accordance with established standards of professional practice and vision and values of the organization, works as part of a interdisciplinary team to provide consultative social work services to a designated population group. Performs professional social work services such as conducting comprehensive social and psycho-social assessments, preparing comprehensive case histories, providing psycho-education and interventions, establishing, maintaining and enhancing therapeutic relationships, evaluating client’s response to treatment plan and coordinating individualized goal-oriented treatment and discharge planning. Develops and enhances community communications/relationships, provides consultation services, engages in on-going team planning, development, evaluation and quality improvement activities to achieve excellence in client care.

About Powell River, Bc

On the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, where endless green mountains meet sheltered Pacific Ocean waters, Powell River provides a stimulating blend of outdoor adventure and cultural amenities. Originally founded as a resource extraction centre - once home to the world's largest pulp and paper mill - Powell River now offers adventurers countless opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing, golfing, boating, hiking, biking, fishing, and scuba diving. This area is host to world-class art galleries, tremendous dining opportunities, and memorable events and festivals.

On the doorstep of both Vancouver and Vancouver Island, the Powell River region offers an array of experiences for travelers of all kinds, no matter the season. Experience the legendary Sunshine Coast Trail and Powell Forest Canoe Route, rock-climb the Eldred Valley, snowshoe in the Knuckleheads; this is the adventure destination you've long been waiting for.

Education & Experience

• Current full registration with the British Columbia College of Social Workers.
• Master’s degree in Social Work from an accredited School of Social Work.
• Two (2) years’ recent related clinical experience working with the designated population group, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Valid BC Driver’s License and access to a personal vehicle for business-related purposes, as required.

Knowledge & Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide culturally sensitive and appropriate care.
• Knowledge of urban and rural context to service delivery.
• Demonstrated knowledge of other health care disciplines and their role in client care.
• Demonstrated knowledge of physical, cultural, environmental, psychosocial, social, spiritual, functional and economic problems impacting health and well-being that children and their families may experience and of the resources available for children and families.
• Demonstrated understanding of health care ethics and ability to apply ethical decision-making in practice.
• Demonstrated knowledge of appropriate and applicable legislation such as Child, Family and Community Services Act, Infant’s Act, Public Health
• Act, Health Care Consent and Care Facilities Admission Act and Mental Health Act.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in Trauma Informed Practice, Harm Reduction approach and Strengths-based care.
• Broad knowledge of or understanding of adverse childhood experiences, the health outcomes of positive experience, resilience and implications for health, attachment, parenting and healing.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of family systems theory.
• Broad knowledge and experience with child development, parenting and attachment theory.
• Demonstrated ability to assess risk factors for children and families such as strengths, ability and resources of parents.
• Demonstrated teaching/training, facilitation, clinical support, consultation skills and leadership.
• Ability to elicit information that promotes communication and leads to cooperative approach in problem solving within the interdisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve, use critical thinking skills, advocate and deal effectively with conflict situations.
• Broad knowledge of crisis intervention and supportive counseling skills.
• 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 treatment.
• 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 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 ability to problem solve and use critical thinking skills.
• Ability to adapt to the changing health system and demonstrate an understanding of the broad determinants of health.
• Demonstrated ability in dealing with a variety of situations and responsibilities requiring initiative, creativity and professional judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to establish workload priorities.
• Ability to operate related equipment including applicable software applications.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

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.

As per Ministry of Health policy, all health care workers working in publicly-funded health care facilities are required to report their past receipt of certain vaccines or history of certain infections. Collecting these records will allow for offering of any missing vaccines, and for appropriate actions to be taken in the event of any future exposure to a communicable disease or during outbreaks. For all new hires and appointments to Vancouver Coastal Health, you will be asked to provide this information as part of the onboarding process.

WHY JOIN VANCOUVER COASTAL HEALTH?

VCH is a world class innovator in medical care, research and teaching, delivering service to more than one million BC residents. At VCH, we embrace thinking boldly, taking smart risks, and "going first" when we believe it will lead to the best possible outcomes for patients and their families. We invite you to join us in creating healthy lives in healthy communities by showcasing our passion for care, connection to the communities we serve and our culture of teamwork that makes VCH a great place to work.

• Comprehensive health benefits package, including MSP, extended health and dental and municipal pension plan
• Grow your career with employer-paid training and leadership development opportunities
• Wellness supports, including counselling, critical incident and innovative wellness services are available to employees and their immediate families
• Award-winning recognition programs to honour staff, medical staff and volunteers
• Access to exclusive discount offers and deals for VCH staff

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 BC’s Top Employers, Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and Canada's Top Employers for Young People in 2025.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for this posting.

* Employees of VCH must apply online via the Internal Career Portal on CareerHub, you are currently viewing the External Career Portal. Refer to the site for instructions on how to view internal job postings and how to apply as an employee. Current VCH employees who apply to this posting using this external site will be considered as an external candidate. Seniority will not apply. *

Thank you for your interest in Vancouver Coastal Health.