Social Work Lead

**Social Worker Lead - Hospital**

**Full-Time, Non-Union**

**R/25-20**

**The Organization**:
St. Joseph’s Health Centre Guelph (SJHCG) is a faith-based organization that is part of St. Joseph’s Health System. We live by our CARE values: Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence, and embed person
- and family-centred care throughout our 240 long-term care beds, 106 hospital beds, and a variety of outpatient and community support services. Our staff complement of approximately 700 employees is committed to contributing to a healthy, safe, and respectful environment. If you are a passionate and highly motivated individual, looking to help us advance in our mission, vision and values, we look forward to you joining our team

**The Job Summary**:
You will provide psychosocial assessments and treatment for patients in our Hospital programs with a focus on complex discharge planning as well as supporting social work/social determinants of health needs. As an active member of the inter-disciplinary team, you will provide services related to clients’ goals, including discharge planning, and providing support to clients/families through advocacy, coaching and conflict resolution strategies.

**Key Accountabilities & Success Criteria**:

- Provide comprehensive psychosocial assessments on all referred patients admitted to the inpatient hospital programs
- Formulate treatment plans based on the psychosocial assessment, and select an appropriate method of intervention within the framework of social work knowledge and skills.
- Respond to referrals for crisis intervention with residents, families and staff.
- Assist residents in liaising with community and appropriate government services e.g. Pension office, ODSP, Regional Social Services. Also assist in obtaining funding for necessary items e.g. wheelchairs, clothing, shoes, etc.
- Conduct cognitive/mood testing required.
- Plan and develop group programs, such as Bereavement Support, Spousal Support, in order to meet the psychosocial needs of patients and community.
- Act as an advocate on behalf of residents and their families.
- Provide consultation to physicians, and Interdisciplinary Team members regarding the social and emotional factors which bear upon the patient’s diagnosis, treatment and care plan.
- Function as an integral part of an interdisciplinary team in hospital.
- Participate in the establishment, on-going operation and evaluation of the appropriate neighbourhood meetings and activities.
- Facilitate de-briefing sessions for staff when necessary.
- Function as a liaison between Hospital and Community programs related to the needs of patients.
- Maintain current and proper records necessary for effective patient treatment and collaboration.
- Compile and submit accurate statistics for workload measurement.
- Participate in staff meetings, committee meetings, professional conferences and educational workshops as required.
- Serve on appropriate Community Groups/Agencies, Boards and/or Committees.
- Provide clinical supervision to Social Work students.
- Participate in staff, student and volunteer orientation as requested.
- Complies with patient safety programs, and processes including identifying and reporting adverse events/near misses
- Attends and participates in appropriate safety training or education updates (ie. hand hygiene, emergency code reviews)
- Identifies unsafe conditions or practices and takes appropriate action to address them including reporting or removing hazards
- Onboarding new Social Work team members
- Completing Hospital Social Worker Team Payroll
- As designated by the Director of Clinical Services, accept responsibility for the Department.

**Qualifications**:

- Bachelor Degree or Master’s Degree (preferred) in Social Work from an approved School of Social Work
- Membership in Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW)
- 3-5 years experience working in a hospital setting

**Skills & Abilities**:

- Demonstrated conflict resolution and crisis intervention skills with clients and their families
- Strong knowledge of hospital related legislation
- Detailed knowledge of community services/resources
- Excellent verbal/written communication skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and comfort in using computer systems to access required Personal Health Information, typing of notes etc.
- Ability to take initiative and work independently and as a part of a team.
- Excellent organizational skills
- High level of maturity, professionalism & acceptance of personal responsibility
- Knowledge of recovery principles
- Excellent attendance record and ability to maintain same