Social Worker (MSW), PASE Clinic at Peterborough Regional Health Centre

Position: Social Worker (MSW)

Department: Psychiatric Assessment Services for the Elderly (PASE)

Position Status: Part-time Permanent

Union: PARA

Number of Positions: 1

Location: On site

Language: English

The PRHC Difference:

Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) is a regional hospital delivering acute healthcare to a rapidly growing population of more than 300,000 in Peterborough and the surrounding communities, including the First Nations of Curve Lake, Hiawatha and Alderville.

With an annual budget of nearly $390 million, and a proud local history extending back over a century, PRHC has nearly 500 inpatient beds and offers a wide range of services, including specialized programs in renal, stroke, cardiac, cancer care, vascular surgery and mental health & addictions.

PRHC is located in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada a 90-minute drive north-east of Toronto. We are the region’s largest employer with more than 3,100 staff, 450 physicians with privileges, and a core group of 250 volunteers

As a member of the PRHC team, you will be part of an exceptional working environment – a forum to share knowledge, to lead and learn, to develop talents, relationships and careers, and a culture that recognizes and celebrates the efforts and achievements of its people.

PRHC is proud to be recognized as one of the top 20 employers nationwide in the healthcare and social services category, and 199 overall among 300 Canadian employers across all sectors, on the Canada’s Best Employers list released by Forbes in 2025.

Top Benefits and Perks:

• • Vacation and Benefits
  • Pension program with matching employer contribution
  • Health and Wellness programs (gym and yoga memberships, travel discounts, etc.)
  • Learning fund for educational development

• HOURS OF WORK:

• The stated hours of work are approximate as schedules are subject to change with the operational needs of the Health Centre. Changes made to hours of work will follow the terms of the applicable collective agreement, company policy and/or legislation.

• WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• 1) Group Development/Facilitation (primary component of this role):

• · Develop and implement evidence-based curriculum for virtual and in-person psychoeducation and psychotherapy groups for older adults within the four counties;

• · Conduct intake and assessment of new group members;

• · Cofacilitate group therapy sessions and discussions;

• · Monitor and assess the progress of individual group members utilizing a client-centered approach;

• · Collaborate with PASE Clinicians and physicians to update treatment plans;

• · Address and mediate conflicts within the group in a timely manner;

• · Develop educational materials and resources for group members to support group facilitation;

• · Implement program evaluations to collect statistical information and outcome measures for individual group members and the group at large;

• · Provide crisis intervention in the context of the group as necessary

• 2) PASE Clinician (secondary component of this role as needed): To provide comprehensive geriatric mental health assessment within an interdisciplinary team mandated to provide mental health assessment services for individuals 65 years and over. The Social Worker also provides education, consultation and liaison to clients, caregivers, family members and other service providers in the four counties and contributes to the attainment of program objectives. The Social Worker and team provides support to staff in long-term care facilities and members of the Behavioural Supports of Ontario Team in addition to those in the community.

• The Social Worker and team assumes responsibility for maintaining a caring supportive relationship with the client over time and across treatment settings. This will be carried out by including a comprehensive, individualized assessment as well as planning, service coordination, monitoring, evaluation and advocacy. This specialized assessment provides the primary care provider with non-pharmacological treatment recommendations to assist in the psychiatric stabilization of the older adult in the community and/or long-term care facility as they await geriatric psychiatry assessment. This strengthens the primary care provider’s ability to identify, support and improve the quality of life for the older adult and the caregivers in administering the care required in a knowledgeable and empathic way. The Social Worker is responsible for maintaining the professional standards of his/her discipline and in meeting the criteria of the job description set out by that discipline, as per PASE policy. In addition, the Social Worker is responsible for adhering to the standards specific to the PASE program under the supervision of the Manager.

• WHAT YOU’LL BRING:

• • Masters level degree in Social Work from an accredited program.
  • Minimum 3 years demonstrated experience in development and facilitation of psychiatric groups for older adults.
  • Basic understanding of adult learning principles.
  • Knowledge of various therapeutic interventions including CBT for depression/anxiety in older adults, DBT, trauma-informed care for older adults, solution focused brief therapy, motivational interviewing, and brief action planning.
  • Solid understanding of group development and functioning specifically group dynamics and the effective management of same.
  • Membership in the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
  • Minimum 3 years demonstrated expertise in working with older adults with mental health illness including superior assessment skills, including screening for depression, psychosis, suicide risk, cognitive status, ability in the use of appropriate assessment tools, and excellent skills in formulating comprehensive assessments
  • Three years recent experience in mental health interventions, providing psychiatric assessment and treatment for the psychogeriatric population in outreach settings
  • PIECES trained
  • GPA considered an asset
  • Familiarity with program development, evaluation and research methodology would be an asset.

• WHO YOU ARE:

• • Demonstrated expertise and knowledge of psychiatric and neurocognitive disorders in older adults
  • Demonstrated expertise in working with older adults including superior assessment skills, including screening for depression, psychosis, suicide risk, cognitive status, ability in the use of appropriate assessment tools and excellent skills in formulating comprehensive assessments
  • Demonstrated ability to develop non-pharmacological recommendations with appropriate use of community resources
  • Assessments and recommendations draw on a broad knowledge of social work theoretical models and therapeutic modalities including but not limited to; crisis intervention, individual and family development; the impact of serious mental illness on individuals, family and others, short term counseling and case management principles
  • Demonstrated skill in group development and facilitation
  • Ability to effectively implement program evaluation and feedback
  • Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to work with nursing homes, hospitals, long term care facilities and community resources
  • Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain a therapeutic relationship, with clients/family members over the duration of the assessment to allow communication of the assessment and recommendations
  • Advocacy and brokerage skills
  • Demonstrated critical thinking and problem solving skills
  • Superior communication skills (verbal, written and interpersonal) and ability to adjust language or terminology to meet the needs of the audience
  • Demonstrated ability to manage a caseload, determine priorities and meet deadlines and adapt to unpredictable situations
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and to function as an effective member within an interdisciplinary team
  • Demonstrated ability to provide effective consultation and educational services (formal and informal) to other health care facilities and community agencies using the PIECES framework.
  • Demonstrated interest in updating/maintaining skills
  • Ability to provide support and input into the program evaluation and identification of program priorities
  • Intermediate skills in word processing, and PowerPoint, skills in Microsoft Excel, Access, intranet and email required
  • Must have a reliable vehicle, valid driver's license, and a willingness to travel as this role includes travel within all four counties

• OUR COMMITMENT:

• At PRHC, we take great pride in maintaining an inclusive culture of respect and a diverse workforce that reflects the community we serve. We do this because we understand that bringing different perspectives and backgrounds to the fulfillment of our mission, vision and values makes us better.

• We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from members of all equity-deserving communities, including those who identify as Indigenous, black, racialized, women, people with disabilities and people with diverse gender identities, expressions, and sexual orientations. Even if your past experience doesn’t quite align with every qualification on this position, we still encourage you to apply as you may be the right candidate for another role within our organization.

• Peterborough Regional Health Centre is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible environment that is in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (‘AODA’). Should you require accommodation through the recruitment and selection process, please notify us by indicating this on your application form and upon initial contact by our recruitment team. This will ensure that we can tailor the recruitment process to meet your accommodation needs.

• Thank you for your interest in the opportunity at PRHC. If you are selected to move forward in the recruitment process, you will be contacted by a member of the Talent Acquisition team.