Social Worker/ Professional Practice Leader – Surgery Program

The Social Worker will practice within the interprofessional team model and be responsible for providing psychosocial assessment and support discharge planning, counseling, financial planning assistance, and patient/family education to assist individuals and their families to achieve optimal psychosocial functioning throughout the continuum of care.

As the Professional Practice Leader (PPL) for the Social Worker discipline, the incumbent is responsible for sustaining quality patient care within the profession. The PPL maintains responsibility for validating annual registration, application of regulatory practice, orientation, continuing education, application of best practice, and clinical evaluation for the profession.

• Contribute to safe, quality care by
• Discerning relevant information to make effective judgments and decisions.
• Making appropriate social work decisions to facilitate patient care and quality outcomes.
• Providing psychosocial assessment, consultation, treatment and discharge planning within a systems perspective.
• Facilitating the team’s ability to handle the psychosocial aspects of patient care.
• Providing consultation to professionals throughout the hospital.
• Participating in the formulation of the interdisciplinary plan of care.
• Advocating for the patient and family regarding decision affecting care when appropriate.
• Assisting the interdisciplinary team to establish priorities on individual patient’s needs.
• Acting as a resource to patients, families and team regarding available community resources such as financial assistance.
• Providing teaching and support to healthcare team regarding patients and families with complex needs, bereavement, etc.
• Developing and maintaining communication resource linkages and networks.
• Participating in activities and initiatives to support continuous quality improvement.
• Practicing in accordance within specific professional standards.
• Engaging in reflective practice and seeks assistance and accepts guidance to support continued competence.
• Maintaining own clinical and professional competency.
• Maintaining membership in professional role-related organizations.
• Commitment to lifelong learning and continually seeks ongoing education.
• Will be expected to cover other Social Workers across the organization as required.

Practice Leadership:

• Support, attend, and facilitate corporate and own program specific meetings and quality initiatives (i.e., Monthly Collaborative Practice Council meeting, Unit Council meeting, Professional Practice Leader/Team meeting)
• Work in partnership with unit management to facilitate staff success through learning plan development and collaborative performance reviews
• Develop initiatives which support staff on a personal level in order to achieve clinical excellence (i.e. healthy work environment initiatives)

Professional & Regulatory Accountability:

• Report and investigate safety concerns according to Mackenzie Health policies and procedures; collaborate to address quality and risk management issues in consultation with reporting manager
• Oversee the professional development of clinical staff through mentorship and education.
• Verify job-specific requirements, including renewal processes, certifications, and/or licensure with reporting manager
• refine clinical processes, policies, and procedures based on best practice and college standards
• Cultivate relationships with community organizations and stakeholders to promote awareness of hospital allied health services.

Student Placement:

• Engage in the development and execution of processes related to discipline-specific student placements and support with onboarding process
• Mentor potential and current preceptors, and enable ongoing professional growth
• Liaise with academic institutions to foster strong placement partnerships and exceptional learning experiences

New Hire Orientation:

• Present session(s) as per delegated responsibilities at Interprofessional Orientation (IPO)
• Cooperate with interdisciplinary leadership teams to onboard new staff through unit/area-specific orientation
• Validate new hire competency progression through the application of Competency Checklists

Interprofessional Education:

• Collaborate with multi-disciplines to identify gaps in knowledge and/or clinical practice through a range of needs assessment strategies (i.e., policy review, chart audits, practice reviews, feedback forms)
• Apply necessary resources, policies and procedures to inform the systematic development of clinical education, including Mackenzie Health Clinical Education process documents and Elsevier Clinical Skills
• Design, implement, and evaluate competency-based education, professional development opportunities, and skills-centred training
• Contribute to annual MyLearning content development and review
• Facilitate ongoing professional development and training programs for Social workersallied health staff to enhance skills and knowledge
• Offer mentorship and support to foster a culture of continuous learning and growth
• Coordination, planning, communication, education and implementation of equipment/medical device

What must you have?

• Current registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Services Workers, required.
• Master’s degree in social work from an accredited University, required.
• Minimum of three (3) years of previous Social Work experience in a hospital environment, preferred.

What else do you bring?

• Advanced interpersonal, communication and coaching skills.
• Excellent decision making, problem recognition and problem solving skills.
• A strong desire and capacity to promote professional practice and excellence in evidence-based, patient centered care.
• Highly developed psychosocial assessment skills.
• Demonstrated clinical skills providing planning/therapy/counseling support to individuals and families.
• Ability to facilitate/coordinate referrals and applications to government and/or community agencies.
• Ability to work independently and participate as a member of the interprofessional team.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple complex cases within a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated conflict resolution skills.
• Understanding of consent and capacity legislation.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuing professional development.
• Proved ability to work in a computerized healthcare environment.
• A strong desire and capacity to promote professional practice and excellence in evidence-based, patient-centered care.
• Proven attendance record.
• Demonstrate understanding and comply with patient and staff safety policies and procedures that foster a safe and inclusive environment for all.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the job.
• Effectively uses empathy in interactions with others.
• Demonstrates behaviours consistent with Mackenzie Health’s Commitment to Caring.
• Models behaviour that is aligned with the values of Mackenzie Health - Excellence, Leadership and Empathy.
• Commitment to providing exceptional experience for staff and clients within a challenging and exciting health care environment.

*You may be required to work at any site of Mackenzie Health

Mackenzie Health is an inclusive and equal opportunity employer committed to providing accommodations for applicants upon request at any stage of the recruitment process in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those under consideration for an interview will be contacted.