Social Worker - Primary Care - Multiple Openings (MO)

Island Health is hiring social workers to join our team at the new Urgent and Primary Care Facility in the Cowichan Valley.

Working collaboratively and without general supervision, and as a member of an interdisciplinary and practice linked health care team, the Social Worker delivers culturally safe, collaborative and integrated care by providing assessments, care planning and coordination, intervention, consultation, and referrals for services to improve health and care of patients, including the frail elderly, those with chronic/complex diseases, those with mental health and substance use challenges, and vulnerable children and youth, and reduce demand on acute services where the social, economic, emotional or psychological circumstances of the patient presents barriers to care and/or an optimum level of function.

What We Offer

• Relocation Assistance: We know that moving is difficult. To make it easier on you, we offer up to $5,000 in relocation assistance (Up to $3,000 within BC).
• Competitive Wage: $41.42 -$59.52
• Benefits: Extended health (medical, dental), 4 weeks vacation, 13 statutory holidays, accrued sick pay, pension plan, educational scholarships, premium employee discount program.
• Supportive community: The Cowichan Primary Care Network is a close-knit group of dedicated professionals who support one another to deliver the best possible care to patients in the Cowichan Valley.
• State-of-the-Art Facility: The Cowichan Urgent Primary Care Centre is currently under construction and is expected to be completed in October 2025. This new two-story centre is designed to deliver urgent, episodic, and ongoing care — 365 days a year, from 8 AM to 8 PM — for patients with or without a family doctor.

Qualifications
Education, Training And Experience

To join our team, you will have:

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from an accredited university.
• Current full registration with the British Columbia College of Social Workers.
• Two years' recent related experience in a healthcare setting working with medically complex clients with concurrent disorders, or a combination of education, training and experience including comprehensive knowledge of chronic health challenges, geriatrics, community health principles, human development, behavior and family/group dynamics; working knowledge of applicable legislation; working knowledge of available programs and services, their interrelationships, and their function in delivering care in the community.
• Valid BC driver's license.

Skills And Abilities

• Demonstrated counseling skills, including crisis, loss and grief counseling.
• Demonstrated ability to determine and deal with changing and emerging situations with patients in a flexible and adaptable manner.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate and build effective relationships with primary care providers, other disciplines, and community partners that foster a team approach to patient care. Has basic computer skills.
• Possesses knowledge of primary health care principles, community development concepts, and the strategic direction of the Vancouver Island Health Authority related to primary health care and chronic disease management practices.
• Has a working knowledge of facilitation, mediation, and conflict resolution skills and techniques.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated case management, clinical support and consultation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, to work independently and to use a cooperative, proactive and facilitative approach to patient care.
• Able to work inter-collegially on a multidisciplinary team, to show initiative and act independently.
• Able to communicate effectively with the team, primary care providers, patients, their families and caregivers.
• Able to act as a clinical resource and educator, utilizing the principles of adult learning.
• Able to prioritize and organize workload.

About Cowichan Valley

Cowichan Valley communities range from charming seaside villages to bustling town centres near the centrally located city of Duncan, B.C. The lush, rolling green landscapes and picturesque beaches are great for unwinding, but adventure-seekers also enjoy world-class fly-fishing, kayaking, wildlife viewing, rainforest hiking, golfing, and much more. If you are looking for a year-round work-life balance, this region has a mild climate that allows for an active lifestyle every day of the year.

About Cowichan Urgent and Primary Care Centre

Opening in October 2025, the Cowichan Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC) will bring inclusive, team-based healthcare to the Cowichan Valley. This new two-story centre is designed to deliver urgent, episodic, and ongoing care — 365 days a year, from 8 AM to 8 PM — for patients with or without a family doctor. With 12 exam rooms, procedure-ready spaces, onsite X-ray, and a trauma-informed design that includes culturally safe access, the UPCC will offer full-spectrum primary care supported by an interdisciplinary team. Services include chronic disease management, mental health and substance use support, social work, and access to care coordinators. Providers such as Family Physicians and Nurse Practitioners can build their own patient panels in a collaborative environment. The centre also features a Multicultural Room for group visits and community gatherings, overlooking the Cowichan mountain skyline. Built in partnership with Island Health, the Cowichan Primary Care Network, and Indigenous leaders, the Cowichan UPCC sets a new standard for accessible, respectful, and community-rooted healthcare.

About Island Health
Island Health provides health and care services to more than 885,000 people on Vancouver Island, the islands in the Salish Sea and the Johnstone Strait, and mainland communities north of Powell River. With more than 30,000 health care professionals, including more than 3,000 doctors, nurse practitioners, midwives and dentists that make up our Medical Staff, as well as 1,000 dedicated volunteers. Together, we are committed to providing superior health care through innovation, teaching and research and a commitment to quality and safety, creating healthier, stronger communities and a better quality of life for those we touch.

Island Health continues to be selected for top employer awards, including BCs Top Employer (2024). As an organization, we are committed to cultural safety and humility and we demonstrate this through our actions to address Indigenous specific racism, systemic racism and the ongoing impacts of colonialism. Please reach out to our Indigenous Employee Experience team for support with your application if you identify as Indigenous at [email protected]

Island Health is committed to creating a workplace that fosters diversity and inclusion by attracting, retaining and developing a talented and diverse workforce which broadly reflects the community and citizens we serve. As such, we encourage applications from individuals from all genders, backgrounds and underrepresented groups.

What are you waiting for? Our career opportunities in Cowichan would be a great fit for you if you love the outdoors, want to escape big-city living, and are looking for a new, fulfilling career in a vibrant, culturally diverse community.