Overview As a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, Social Work Officers deliver professional social work services in a military setting to support the morale, efficiency and mental health of CAF members and their families. Social Work Officers offer clinical social work services similar to community mental health and social services agencies. In addition to the full range of challenges common to Canadian society, CAF members and their families cope with additional stresses associated with frequent moves and separations, which can give rise to complex social and family circumstances that require specialised social work interventions. Responsibilities Provide clinical intervention services Assist in the resolution of compassionate situations Consult with and advise leaders on the social circumstances encountered by personnel in their units Investigate and report compassionate situations Deliver preventive and rehabilitative programs in the areas of: Preand postdeployment stress Suicide prevention Family violence Work Environment Social Work Officers work in an office at a base, wing or garrison, and deploy overseas on operational missions. They may collaborate with civilian social agencies to develop referrals and remain abreast of current professional development and social legislation. Regular Force: assigned to first base after training, with potential relocations. Primary Reserve Force: assigned through a specific Reserve unit, may work parttime on evenings and weekends, with possible fulltime opportunities, and includes deployment options. Entry Plans Direct Entry Options Paid Education Options The minimum required education to apply for this position is a Master of Social Work degree from an accredited program, a current unrestricted license (active status) to practice as a social worker from a provincial or territorial regulatory authority/association, and a letter of good standing from that authority. Two years of clinical experience within the last five years is ideal. Subsidised Education for Entry Level Masters (SEELM): If you hold a Bachelor of Social Work degree with a current unrestricted license and a letter of good standing, and are unconditionally accepted to a recognised Canadian university Master of Social Work program, the CAF will pay you to complete your programme at a Canadian university; the programme must be clinical, on campus, and completed within two years. Successful recruits receive a fulltime salary, medical and dental care, vacation time with full pay in exchange for working with the CAF for a period of time. Training After enrolment, Social Work Officers attend 12 weeks of Basic Military Officer Qualification training at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in SaintJeansurRichelieu, Quebec. Topics include general military knowledge, principles of leadership, CAF regulations and customs, basic weapons handling, first aid, and force protection, field training, navigation, and leadership. Physical fitness is also a vital part of basic training. Training is conducted in English or French. Following BMOQ, official secondlanguage training will be offered, lasting two to nine months depending on proficiency. Social Work Officers must complete the Common Health Services Officer (CHSO) elearning course, which introduces Canadian Armed Forces policies, procedures and HR management of military members and civilian personnel. Upon completing Rank Qualification Social Worker Lieutenant, officers are posted to a large base for further clinical practice and inservice certification under a senior Social Work Officer. Additional specialised courses may include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Training, EyeMovement Desensitisation and Reprocessing, and Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples. PartTime Options The Canadian Forces Health Services Reserves provide parttime employment with the Primary Reserve. Reserve Force members typically serve parttime with a health services unit in their community while continuing schooling or civilian work, and may volunteer for deployment. They are paid during training and can serve at a local base without mandatory relocation. At a later stage they may serve fulltime with a fixed term, receiving 92.8% of Regular Force rates, benefits and pension contributions. Related Careers Medical Officer Health Services Management Officer Nursing Officer #J-18808-Ljbffr
Job Title
Social Work Officer