Social Worker in Hamilton

This position provides quality Social Work services congruent with the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). The Registered Social Worker will provide psychosocial assessment, counselling/psychotherapy, case management, patient/family education, supportive care, discharge planning, service coordination, and consultation according to best practice standards in order to assist the patient in achieving optimum recovery and quality of life. This includes maximizing the benefit patients and families receive from their medical treatments and transitioning to risk-reduced timely discharges. The Registered Social Worker provides leadership in high-risk social situations, program development, advocacy, and developing and maintaining strong community linkages. Registered Social Workers will also participate in mentoring, community development, teaching, continuous quality improvement, and research activities.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Social Work from an accredited University (clinical degree) minimum
• Masters of Social Work from an accredited University (clinical degree) preferred
• Registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers required
• Membership with the Ontario Association of Social Workers preferred
• 2 years of acute care hospital social work experience preferred
• Able to work effectively both in a team environment and as an independent professional
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Able to work under pressure, prioritize competing demands, and meet deadlines
• Ability to be self-reflective and adapt to the changing needs of patients and healthcare environment
• Excellent organizational and time management skills required
• Proven flexibility and ability to adapt to change
• Demonstrated computer skills
• Good work performance and attendance record are essential
• Demonstrated knowledge, sensitivity, and expertise in the care of seniors and their families
• Gentle Persuasive Approach training preferred

Responsibilities:

• Maintains current working knowledge of relevant legislation which includes the following: Mental Health Act, Health Care Consent Act, Substitute Decisions Act, Public Hospitals Act, Long Term Care Act, Child and Family Services Act, PHIPA, and Excellent Care for All Act
• Maintains expertise in generic social work practice and implements evidence-based best practices which includes family/individual and group treatment modalities, case management, crisis intervention, and discharge planning
• Documents all patient-related interventions adhering to the OCSWSSW Standards of Practice and the RSW discipline-specific documentation guidelines
• Conducts comprehensive psychosocial assessments from a systems perspective which will include contact information (POA, SDM, NOK), current family/social status, financial situation, community agency involvement, mental health status, psychosocial history, social work analysis, identified issues/goals, and intervention plans
• Identifies and intervenes with high-risk social situations such as Intimate Partner Violence, Child Abuse/Neglect, Elder Abuse/Neglect, Financial Abuse, and others as appropriate utilizing best practice social work guidelines
• Provides theory-based counselling which may include crisis intervention and illness adjustment counselling
• Provides case management for an assigned patient area including the facilitation of patient and team goals related to function and discharge, connecting the patient and/or family with services and/or resources in the community, and ensuring patients and families understand the plan of care post-discharge
• Coordinates all complex discharges and facilitates program-specific case management activities
• Assumes the lead responsibility for discharge planning including the identification of patient and family needs and resources related to safe patient discharges
• Facilitates complex family meetings requiring therapeutic counselling skills, conflict management, mediation, and skilled negotiation in order to identify and/or facilitate patient and team goals related to the therapeutic plan and the discharge plan
• Provides mentorship around specific developed areas of expertise to new RSW staff and health care providers of other disciplines
• Meets the requirements of Ontario Social Work re-certification through continuing education as outlined by the OCSWSSW
• Complies with all required Workload Measurement and other statistical data collection expectations
• Other duties as assigned

St. Joseph’s Health System (SJHS) and its member organizations are equal opportunity employers and strive for equity, inclusiveness, and diversity in all programs, practices, facilities, and people. We foster a culture of patient and staff safety where all positions comply and work in conjunction with the Mission, Vision, and Core Values. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. SJHS and its member organizations are committed to a barrier-free recruitment and selection process - please inform us should accommodation be required at any point in the recruitment process (recruit@stjoes.ca).