Applications are now open for BC Centre on Substance Use Social Work Fellowship

For several years, HSA has partnered with the British Columbia Centre on Substance Use (BCCSU) to offer an Addiction Social Work Fellowship. As the leading union in providing multidisciplinary care services for British Columbians living with mental health and substance use challenges, HSA is committed to the professional development of health science professionals working in the field.
 
The fellowship provides an opportunity for a social worker to join an interdisciplinary training program and lead research on clinical approaches to addiction care. 

Background:

The BCCSU Addiction Social Work Fellowship was established in 2016, and is the first Addiction Social Work Fellowship in North America. Previously the St. Paul’s GoldCorp Addiction Medicine Program, founded in 2013 by Dr. Evan Wood, the fellowship program currently includes positions in medicine, nursing, social work, pharmacy, nurse practitioner, and research.

The program prepares Fellows to work as experts in the field of addiction medicine and take leadership roles in clinical, academic, and/or research settings, and includes specialty training in inpatient and outpatient addiction management, as well as related concurrent disorders training. 

Details:

This is a paid professional development opportunity beginning on July 6, 2026. The program runs one year part-time from July 6 to June 30, or may be completed over six months full-time.

Fellowship opportunities are not just in the Lower Mainland; the program can include focused clinical rotations in other areas. 

The program encourages learning experiences across the continuum of substance use care in a variety of settings, including inpatient, outpatient, withdrawal management, recovery oriented systems of care, concurrent disorders, innovative practice, harm reduction, and research.

Addiction Social Work Fellows are also encouraged to enhance their understanding of best practice approaches to working with a wide range of populations including Indigenous people, youth, women, and LGBTQ communities, for example. Social workers have the opportunity to integrate social justice practice with evidence-based approaches to substance use care.

The program also supports didactic learning experiences through a two-week academic block, interdisciplinary academic half-days, journal clubs, research and presentation skills development, and clinical skills workshops. 

Eligibility:
 
Fellows must hold a minimum of a Master of Social Work degree and be registered and in good standing with the British Columbia College of Social Work. 

How to Apply:

The deadline for applications for the BCCSU Addiction Social Work Fellowship is December 5, 2025. More information and full application details are available on the BCCSU website here.

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