The Community Outreach Worker provides clinical services including screening, assessment, and treatment to adults and families affected by mental illness and substance use. This role also involves navigating community resources, providing crisis support, and coordinating care within the Mental Health and Addictions department.
Click here to apply as an internal applicant. Req ID
225310Location:
Central
Zone,
Nova
Scotia
Hospital
Department:
MHA
Strat
Recovery
Support
Centre -
NSHType of
Employment: Temporary Hourly FT long-assignment (100%) x 1
Union: NSGEU Healthcare PositionPosting
Closing Date
25-Aug-26About the Opportunity Reporting to the Health Services Manager, the Community Outreach Worker (COW) provides a range of clinical services to adults and their families affected by mental illness and/or substance use or gambling disorder. 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 treatment. This position will play a key role in navigation, advocacy, and the coordination of resources and services within Mental Health and Addictions and the community. 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.About You We would love to hear from you if you have the following:
Bachelor of Social Work
Must be registered or eligible for registration with professional regulatory body.
One year post BSW clinical experience in Mental Health and Addictions required
Screening and risk assessment skills, including suicide risk assessment
This role requires a 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
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 of community resources and program and community development methods
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
Ability to build and maintain collaborative working relationships
Strong problem solving skills
Demonstrated ability to make sound and reliable clinical decisions
Competencies in other languages an asset, French preferred Please ensure your resume is up to date and includes all relevant education, experience, training, and certifications.Hours
Long assignment full-time position; 75 hours biweekly Compensation and Benefits $35.83 - $46.37 hourlyDevelopmental (less than 1 year experience): $34.80 - $43.30 hourlySuccessful 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.What You'll Love About Nova Scotia Health Nova Scotia Health is more than the province's largest provider of health services; we're a team driven by excellence in health, healing and learning.
Across hospitals, health centres and community programs, our people deliver innovative, high-quality care that impacts lives across Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada.
From vibrant city life to scenic coastal communities, Nova Scotia offers a lifestyle as rewarding as the work itself.
At Nova Scotia Health, you'll find meaningful career opportunities, supportive teams and the work-life balance to enjoy everything our beautiful province has to offer.
Join us and discover why so many people are choosing to call Nova Scotia home.
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. 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.
Requirements
Candidates must hold a Bachelor of Social Work and be registered or eligible for registration with a professional regulatory body. At least one year of post-BSW clinical experience in mental health and addictions is required.
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Market context
Behavioral health roles in Nova Scotia
Behavioral-health positions in Nova Scotia often reflect steady demand in child and adolescent services, especially where trauma-informed care and specialized assessment skills are needed. These roles are competitive because employers typically look for a Ph.D. or PsyD in Clinical Psychology, registration with the Nova Scotia Board of Examiners in Psychology, and direct clinical experience with younger patients. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, then confirm your registration status and prepare examples of trauma-informed work before applying.
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