Social Work Clinical Fellow

**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**:
**Pediatric Oncology MSW Social Work Fellowship - 2 year contract**

The Hospital for Sick Children is a leading tertiary pediatric centre providing medical and mental health care to the most complex children and youth and their families. A dynamic clinical, education and research environment, SickKids is committed to excellence in integrated inter-professional care.

The Division of Haematology/Oncology provides specialist care for children under 18 years of age with cancer (paediatric oncology), non-malignant blood diseases (paediatric haematology) and for those undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. We are the largest program in Canada and among the largest in North America.

Embedded in the division is the haematology/oncology psychosocial program which includes psychologists, neuropsychologists, social workers, child life professionals, interlink nursing, music and art therapy and consultation liaison psychiatry. Members of the psychosocial program strive to provide excellence in clinical care and are highly engaged in research and education. The program has newly generated strong philanthropic support providing exceptional opportunities for innovations and program development.

The Pediatric Oncology Social Work Fellowship is a unique opportunity for a **Entry Level Masters Prepared Clinical Social Worker **seeking advanced clinical training in pediatric psychosocial oncology. As an integral member of the haematology/oncology interdisciplinary psychosocial team, the Social Work Fellow will receive training to provide psychosocial care to children and adolescents with cancer and their families from the time of diagnosis and throughout treatment and survivorship, as well as supporting patients and families at end of life and into bereavement.

In this clinically focused fellowship, the Social Work Fellow will refine their skills in child and adolescent counseling in both the inpatient ward, the disease-based clinics as well as virtual care. Reporting to the Clinical Manager (Social Work), the Social Work Fellow will gain knowledge in and provide a range of psychological services including psychosocial assessment, play therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, relaxation strategies, mindfulness, parent education, and will work in individual, couple, family and group formats. The Social Work Fellow’s caseload will include patients of various ages, diagnoses, psychosocial and family dynamic issues, treatment modalities and socioeconomic backgrounds. The Social Work Fellow will have opportunities for engagement in research, quality improvement, an innovative clinical project development in a mentored setting.

The Social Work Fellow will be encouraged to develop and become involved with clinical programming in an area of interest in the field of pediatric psychosocial oncology. Development of teaching and leadership skills also will be encouraged and the Social Work Fellow will be expected to present at psychosocial grand rounds at the end of the training year.

**Here's What You'll Get To Do**:

- Develop and implement a plan of psychosocial intervention which addresses loss, grief, coping, adaptation, treatment adherence and quality of life. This is achieved through a variety of modalities including clinical counseling, patient/family education, consultation, case management, crisis intervention, community outreach and advocacy
- Collaborate with a large and diverse interdisciplinary health care team
- Engage in research and integrate research into practice
- Provide education to other members of the team regarding Social Work interventions that benefit patients and families
- Support families coping with illness and secure resources that address issues related to the social determinants of health
- Work with outside agencies such as OW, CAS and be able to coordinate care with team
- Develop and facilitate workshops and groups
- Work collaboratively with a dynamic team in a very fast paced ever-changing environment