Mood Disorders Association of British Columbia (MDABC)
A Division of Lookout Housing and Health Society
Vancouver, BC | Community-Based | Flexible Service Delivery
Join Our Team
The Mood Disorders Association of British Columbia (MDABC), a division of Lookout Housing and Health Society, is seeking a compassionate and experienced Registered Social Worker to join our growing interdisciplinary team on a part-time contract basis.
Lookout Housing and Health Society is a charitable organization that provides housing and a broad range of health and social services to adults with low or no income who have few, if any, housing or support options. We are committed to reducing barriers to care and supporting individuals in improving their health, wellbeing, housing stability, and quality of life through compassionate, person-centred services.
MDABC provides evidence-informed counselling, psychiatric services, psychoeducation, peer support, and community-based mental health programming to individuals experiencing mental health, substance use, trauma, and other complex life challenges.
This Social Worker position provides services across a variety of community settings, including low-barrier housing programs, supportive housing, recovery-focused services, and community mental health programs. We are committed to providing person-centred, trauma-informed, culturally safe, anti-oppressive, strengths-based, and evidence-informed care. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences who share our commitment to accessible, compassionate, and equitable services.
This flexible contract position is ideal for a Social Worker seeking meaningful community-based work while maintaining other professional commitments or building an independent practice.
Role Summary
Working collaboratively with MDABC, Lookout Housing and Health Society, community partners, and interdisciplinary teams, the Social Worker provides specialized, time-limited social work services to adults experiencing mental health, substance use, medical, housing, and psychosocial concerns.
The Social Worker conducts comprehensive assessments, provides brief counselling and therapeutic interventions within scope of practice, supports participants in navigating complex systems, advocates for access to services, and collaborates with community partners to improve participant outcomes.
In addition to direct participant support, the Social Worker provides consultation to staff, supports peer facilitators where appropriate, contributes to program planning and quality improvement initiatives, and promotes best practices in trauma-informed and culturally safe care.
The successful candidate is adaptable, collaborative, and able to work effectively across diverse community settings while supporting participants with varying goals, needs, and levels of complexity.
Responsibilities
Clinical Assessment & Intervention
- Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial, psychosocial, and risk assessments.
- Develop recommendations to support individualized service planning and care coordination.
- Provide brief counselling, psychoeducation, crisis intervention, and therapeutic support within scope of practice.
- Support participants in identifying strengths, reducing barriers, and achieving personal goals.
- Monitor participant progress and communicate emerging needs with the interdisciplinary team.
Systems Navigation & Advocacy
- Assist participants in accessing housing, income assistance, healthcare, treatment services, legal supports, and community resources.
- Advocate on behalf of participants experiencing barriers to services.
- Liaise with hospitals, physicians, psychiatric services, treatment providers, housing providers, and community agencies.
- Facilitate continuity of care and coordinated service delivery across multiple systems.
Consultation & Capacity Building
- Provide consultation to staff regarding complex psychosocial concerns, therapeutic engagement, crisis response, trauma-informed practice, professional boundaries, and de-escalation strategies.
- Support peer facilitators involved in community programming where appropriate.
- Contribute to staff learning, coaching, and capacity-building initiatives.
- Foster collaborative relationships with internal and external partners.
Documentation
- Maintain accurate, timely, and professional documentation in accordance with BCCSW standards, organizational policies, and applicable privacy legislation.
- Complete assessments, consultation notes, reports, referrals, and other documentation within established timelines.
- Contribute to program reporting and evaluation activities as required.
Qualifications
Applicants must possess:
- Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from an accredited university.
- Current registration and good standing with the British Columbia College of Social Workers (BCCSW).
- Minimum two (2) years' experience working with adults experiencing mental health, substance use, housing instability, and complex psychosocial concerns.
- Experience working in community-based or low-barrier service settings.
- Demonstrated experience conducting psychosocial assessments and providing brief therapeutic interventions.
- Occupational First Aid Level 1 Certificate (or willingness to obtain).
- Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) Training or equivalent.
- Successful Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Clearance.
- Insurance – Proof of professional liability coverage
- Workers’ Compensation – WorkSafeBC registration or waiver letter
Preferred Qualifications
Preference will be given to applicants with experience or training in one or more of the following:
- Trauma-informed practice
- Harm reduction
- Psychosocial rehabilitation
- Motivational Interviewing
- Crisis intervention
- Housing and homelessness services
- Concurrent mental health and substance use treatment
- Working with Indigenous Peoples, LGBTQ2S+ communities, newcomers, and culturally diverse populations
- Experience using electronic health records (TELUS CHR or similar)
Knowledge and Skills
Successful candidates will demonstrate:
· Strong knowledge of evidence-informed social work assessment, intervention, consultation, and systems navigation.
· Knowledge of mental health, substance use, harm reduction, and psychosocial rehabilitation principles.
· Understanding of housing, healthcare, legal, and income assistance systems within British Columbia.
· Knowledge of relevant legislation, including the Mental Health Act, Adult Guardianship Act, Health Care (Consent) and Care Facility (Admission) Act, and applicable privacy legislation.
· Excellent counselling, advocacy, mediation, crisis intervention, and conflict resolution skills.
· Ability to establish effective therapeutic relationships with participants experiencing complex needs.
· Strong communication, organizational, documentation, and time-management skills.
· Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within interdisciplinary teams.
· Demonstrated proficiency with electronic documentation systems, Microsoft Office applications, email, and virtual meeting platforms.
· Commitment to culturally safe, inclusive, person-centred practice.
What MDABC Offers
· Contract rate of $46.00 per hour.
· Flexible scheduling based on program needs and mutual agreement.
· Opportunity to provide services across diverse community settings.
· Clinical consultation and interdisciplinary collaboration.
· Administrative support and access to electronic documentation systems.
· Opportunities to contribute to innovative community mental health and social service programs.
· Meaningful work supporting individuals experiencing complex mental health, substance use, housing, and psychosocial challenges.
· A collaborative, supportive, and mission-driven team environment.
Position Details
Location: Services are provided at MDABC, Lookout Housing and Health Society programs, community partner locations, and virtually, depending on operational requirements.
Hours and service locations may vary based on program needs.
Successful applicants will be required to complete a Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Clearance prior to commencing the contract.
How to Apply
Please submit your resume and cover letter to Email: [email protected]
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Pay: $46.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
