Social Worker Clinician, Outpatient Programs

 

BC Children’s Hospital

Vancouver, BC

  

The Social Work Clinician in the Tertiary Specialized Outpatient Programs is a clinical practitioner who provides leadership to the interdisciplinary team in the complex care needs in the discharge planning process and determining the effective utilization of resources. The Social Worker Clinician acts as a resource to patients, families and staff by focusing on how the patient relationships are affected by their environment. The Social Work Clinician plays a central role as a liaison with community agencies and resources such as MCFD, schools, other hospitals, eating disorders teams, community mental health, interpreter services and charitable organizations around the province. Teaches evidence-based therapies relevant to the service area to trainees across disciplines within the team and from across the province. Provides leadership in program planning and clinical practice guidelines, evaluates and develops clinical treatment practice, initiates and participates in psychosocial research and maintains knowledge on research and best practices. 

 

This position is with the Teaching and Consultation Clinic. Experience providing Family Therapy is required.

 

What you’ll do

• Provides advanced therapeutic clinical counseling relevant to the service area to young patients, families and groups by methods such as exploring the emotional response to identify problems, personal concerns and treatment objectives, facilitating change in coping style, behavior, attitude and feelings, community supports and interdisciplinary treatments to coordinate services, facilitating meetings and making referrals to appropriate resources.
• Conducts comprehensive mental health and/or addiction, and family assessments by methods such as interviewing the patient and family, obtaining relevant information, gathering social data regarding the patient and family and formulation of assessment and plan of intervention, in accordance with professional practice standards and clinical policies.
• Provides clinical consultation and participates in complex discharge planning by methods such as consulting on complex cases and therapeutic challenges by phone or telehealth to community child and youth mental health therapists around the province; providing guidance to the team and relevant community agencies regarding child protection concerns, custody and access, release of information, treatment refusal and consents to treatment; assisting with coordinating therapy follow-up with other team members and community partners; and utilizing skills in teleconferencing to include health care professionals in care planning with patients and families around the province
• Evaluates and develops treatment practices, guidelines and protocols within the team to promote excellence in social work practice.
• Provides instruction and supervises Master level social work students on field education practicum within the program by performing duties such as demonstrating and explaining procedures and processes and providing input regarding progress. Provides students with the opportunity to observe and take an active role in the treatment of patients and their families. Provides teaching both formally and informally (case-by-case). Facilitates in-services within the hospital and community, as needed.
• Supports patients and their families by providing education, short-term counselling and crisis intervention during the adjustment to hospitalization, new diagnosis of mental health and/or addiction issues, and change or loss in mental health functioning.
• Establishes and maintains effective collaborative and constructive liaison relationships with a variety of individuals and groups, including patients and families, community providers, MCFD social workers, schools, hospitals and other agencies, in order to coordinate services across the continuum of health care.
• Participates in program planning and development as part of an inter-professional team within BC Children’s Hospital and BC Mental Health and Addiction Services and the continuum of health care.       Identifies, promotes and participates in program planning strategies to enhance system processes and resources for patients and their families. Participates in relevant committee work within the program, hospital and community.

What you bring

 

Qualifications

• Completion of a Master’s degree in Social Work from an accredited School of Social Work, including relevant graduate level mental health courses and mental health practicum.
• Three (3) years of recent related experience in providing assessment, clinical expertise and treatment in an evidence based therapeutic interventions including individual, family, group and teaching to the population of children and youth relevant to the service area
• Post-masters certificate in an evidence based mental health therapies designed for the population of children and youth seen in the relevant service area
• Post-graduate experience or education in clinical research, adult education, and teaching provincially, nationally, and internationally.
• Current full registration with the British Columbia College of Social Workers
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism and systemic racism on Indigenous Peoples within social and health contexts. This includes understanding how these factors contribute to current health disparities and barriers to care. Show a clear commitment to identifying, challenging, and eradicating Indigenous-specific racism and all forms of discrimination impacting equity-deserving groups within healthcare settings. This involves recognizing personal biases, institutional barriers, engaging in anti-racism education and training and advocating for systemic change.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments within BCCH contexts found in the foundational documents 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, BC Human Rights Code, Anti-racism Data Act and how they intersect across the health care system.

Core Competencies

• Brings an understanding of the Indigenous specific racism and the broader systemic racism that exists in the colonial health care structure, and has demonstrated leadership in breaking down barriers and ensuring an environment of belonging. Embed Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility into all aspects of work. This means creating an environment where Indigenous patients feel respected, valued, and understood. Foster trust through respectful communication, active listening, and honoring equity-deserving people's perspectives on health and wellness. Commit to ongoing education and training on Indigenous health issues, cultural safety, and DEI principles. Participate in workshops, cultural immersion experiences, and continuous professional development to stay informed and responsive to equity-deserving groups. Provide patient-centred care that respects Indigenous ways of knowing and healing, respects BIPOC experiences and world views ensuring that care plans are culturally relevant and holistic.
• Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (The Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.).

Skills & Knowledge

• Demonstrates a commitment to beginning and continuing their personal learning journey related to Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as addressing racism more broadly. Shows willingness to articulate and share their learning experiences to contribute to a culture of motivation and inspiration among peers.
• Demonstrates foundational knowledge of the social, economic, and political realities of settler-colonialism and its impacts on Indigenous peoples and equity-deserving groups within social and health contexts. Understands the impact of social determinants of health-on-health outcomes. Shows a commitment to learning about and upholding legislative obligations and provincial commitments outlined in foundational documents such as the 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, Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, the BC Human Rights Code, Anti-Racism Data Act, and the Distinctions Based Approach.

 

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 2,000+ in-house courses including a range of experience level, profession-specific, or other essential training on Indigenous Cultural Safety; Indigenous-specific anti-racism; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and accessibility, mental health and well-being, and more.
• 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: Temporary, Part-Time (0.40 FTE; until June 7, 2028, or return of incumbent)
Wage: $50.19 - $62.69/hour
Location: 4500 Oak Street, Vancouver BC, V6H 2N9
Hours of Work: Tuesday, Friday; 0830-1630
Requisition # 205508E

 

What we do

 

BC Children’s Hospital (BCCH) provides care for the most seriously ill or injured children and youth from across British Columbia.

 

BCCH is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).

 

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: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services

 

PHSA and BCCH 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.employment@phsa.ca.

 

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.

 

Attention current employees of PHSA:  

 

You must apply via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca. 

 

The internal job posting expires on October 24, 2026 and will no longer be accessible. If the internal job posting has expired, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca with the six-digit job requisition number and your PHSA employee ID number to be considered as a late internal applicant. Please do not apply for the external job posting. 

 

If you have not yet set up an internal profile, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca with your PHSA employee ID number to obtain your temporary password. Our business hours are Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm, excluding Statutory Holidays and a Help Desk Representative will respond to you with 1-2 business days.  

 

If you are not a current employee of PHSA and require assistance with your application, please contact the External Careers team at careers@phsa.ca.