Social Worker, MSW - Outpatient Mental Health Services

About SickKids

Dedicated exclusively to children and their families, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) is one of the largest and most respected paediatric healthcare centres in the world. As innovators in child health, we lead and partner to improve the health of children through the integration of healthcare, leading-edge research and education. Our reputation would not have been built – nor could it be maintained – without the skills, knowledge and experience of the extraordinary people who come to work here every day. SickKids is committed to ongoing learning and development, and features a caring and supportive work environment that combines exceptionally high standards of practice.

When you join SickKids, you become part of our community. We share a commitment and determination to fulfill our vision of Healthier Children. A Better World.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to work alongside the world’s best in paediatric healthcare.

Position Description

Social Worker, MSW - Outpatient Mental Health Services: Day Hospital Program (1.0 FTE, 12-month contract)

SickKids Mental Health is growing its capacity to serve patients with primary mental health disorders including those diagnosed with mood, complex anxiety, and behavior disorders including OCD, somatization. Additionally, SickKids is investing in the integration of treatment for concurrent physical and mental health disorders and will establish new services focused on these complex populations and their families. We are currently looking for a Social Worker to provide direct care to children/youth as part of the Psychiatry Day Hospital team. The Day Hospital is a voluntary intensive mental health treatment program for youth ages 13 to 17 years old who are experiencing early onset mental health symptoms. The goal of the 12-week program is to help youth improve their experiences, symptoms, and level of functioning through group, individual, and family therapy.

Here's What You Will Get to Do:

• Work directly with youth 13-17 years
• Develop and implement a plan of care in collaboration with the child/family and the multidisciplinary team.
• Provide supervision and support to patients experiencing acute mental health issues.
• Assist patients with the development of treatment goals.
• Work with the patients to acknowledge successes and strategies to support their efforts as they transition to the community.
• Liaise with community agencies, such as school boards and community mental health agencies to ensure collaboration in patient care.
• Participate in transition preparation with the child and family.
• Work collaboratively with the TDSB teaching staff to develop academic goals for patients.
• Develop creative content for group facilitation.
• Participate in design of treatment groups.
• Participate in multidisciplinary service rounds and team meetings.
• Implement and deliver evidence-based treatment plans, inclusive of parenting skills, family counselling and therapy, support and teach relevant patient and family coping skills and provide support around adaptation, treatment adherence and enhancement of quality of life.
• Practice from an integrated model that considers the implications of medical, physical, mental health, family cultural contexts and issues of social complexity.
• Demonstrate skills in patient and family engagement, interviewing skills with individuals, parents, and families.
• Demonstrate capacity to manage highly charged situations inclusive of the prevention and management of behavioral escalations and responding to Code White situations.
• Identify strengths and risks within families that should be considered in the context of the assessment formulation and treatment recommendations; work with caregivers to prepare for transitions between phases of treatment.
• Collaborate with a large and diverse inter-professional health care team.
• Navigate and secure resources that address issues related to the social determinants of health.
• Work collaboratively with community agencies and services such as CAS (Children's Aid Society), Ontario Works, Children’s Mental Health agencies.
• Support the academic mandate of the hospital by supervising MSW students from affiliated universities.
• Assume responsibility for all aspects of practice including accountability for standards of practice, productivity, and workload related data necessary for hospital reporting.
• As a member of the social work department, cross coverage for social work colleagues is an essential part of the role, weekend/after hours on call (AHOC) coverage and availability for community emergency response are necessary aspects of these hospital roles.

Here's What You Will Need:

• Master's degree in Social Work, preferably with pediatric hospital experience
• Registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
• Five years clinical experience (assessment and treatment) working with children and families in an acute mental health care setting
• Training and experience with evidence-based treatment models inclusive of CBT, DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy), family therapy approaches
• Knowledge and experience with crisis prevention and intervention models
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge in culturally competent practice, and extensive understanding of the importance of health equity, diversity, and inclusion in the delivery of healthcare services
• Demonstrated skills in group facilitation approaches in the delivery of psychoeducation for caregivers and youth-oriented intervention groups
• Experience collaborating with sectors inclusive of child protection, education, children mental health sectors; knowledge of the relevant network of community services and resources is an asset
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, complex, and dynamic environment requiring excellent collaboration, problem solving, and team-based skills
• Capacity to collaborate flexibly and effectively as a member of the inter-professional health care team and to take initiative and leadership when appropriate
• Proficiency in the use of electronic platforms such as Microsoft Office, hospital documentation systems and other relevant technology
• Delivery of services: In-person as well as virtual platforms
• Excellent interpersonal, clinical written skills for documentation and oral communication, organizational and time management skills
• Demonstrated critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Commitment and comfort to working in a culture dedicated to quality improvement, evidence-based practice, clinician accountability, and measurement-based care.
• To ensure the needs of patients and families are prioritized, flexible hours are required; while working from home may be possible, the job is primarily on-site at the Elizabeth Street location.
• Demonstrate commitment and actions in advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion objectives.

Employment Type: 1.0 FTE, 12-month contract (there may be the possibility to extend)

Our Commitment to Diversity

The children and families we care for are from a variety of communities, and so are our employees. We welcome and encourage everyone to join our organization and be part of our team.

When requested, SickKids will provide access and inclusion supports to eligible candidates to support their full engagement during the interview and assessment process. Information received related to access or inclusion will be addressed confidentially.

Thank you for your interest in joining SickKids. Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. In accordance with our Hospital policy, employment at SickKids is conditional upon the Hospital’s receipt of all necessary documentation.

How to Apply

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