Social Worker

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The Social Worker addresses the patient and family’s psychosocial factors that are relevant to diagnosis, illness or hospitalization through assessment and counseling, building community relationships, coordinating social services, education, research, and teaching.

**MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES**
- Assess family dynamics, functioning, strengths and needs.
- Provide emotional support/counseling (e.g., trauma, crisis intervention, adjustment, behavior management, etc.)
- Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings providing knowledge and expertise in the treatment planning of the psychosocial and emotional needs of children and youth.
- Provide brief psychotherapy to individuals, groups and families.
- Provide ongoing assessments of psychosocial factors that could impact the child’s well-being.
- Provide occasional after-hours response for new diagnoses, complex situations.
- Liaise with other community agencies in establishing resources and services for children and families within the Autism Program.
- Participate in the development and implementation of services and programs to respond to the psychosocial needs of the child, parent, and/or family.
- Maintain psychosocial documentation current with accurate and pertinent information of the patient and family situation.
- Consult and collaborate with a variety of community agencies (e.g., ministries, school boards, child welfare authorities, police, etc.)
- Identify, advocate for, negotiate and obtain community resources pertinent to the needs of the child and his/her family.
- Assist in the provision of discharge planning and coordinate services both within the hospital and in the community (e.g., home/school visits).
- Participate in various discipline and interdisciplinary committees throughout the hospital (e.g., Social Work, Family Forum, PLEO, Community Advisory Committee, etc).
- Complete daily statistical documentation (e.g., GRASP) (as required)
- Supervise and train social work students at the BSW and MSW levels and provide practicum opportunities.
- Contribute to the education/training of other professionals, students and volunteers in the community with respect to the social needs and issues of the ASD population.
- Present workshops both within the hospital and the community as required.
- Promote greater understanding of such topics as chronic illness, mental health, and child protection through lectures to both high school and post secondary students.
- Participate in panel discussions and educational rounds.
- Participate in committee work such as Quality Management, Policy and Planning and Accreditation Activities as required
- Promote social awareness in the community by participating as a board member, educator, conference speaker, consultant and expert witness (i.e., court appearance) as required.
- Participate in disciplinary and interdisciplinary research and develop/present special projects (e.g., respite care, child abuse, and neglect).

**QUALIFICATIONS**
- Master’s of Social Work degree (Essential)
- Membership in the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (Essential)
- Minimum three (3) years of relevant experience (Essential)

**DEMONSTRATED ABILITY TO: **
- Comprehensively use computer technology (Essential)
- Take steps to ensure timely completion of tasks by adjusting priorities as required (Essential)
- Adapt to changes to meet patient needs (Essential)
- Communicate effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing (Essential)
- Deal effectively and sensitively with patients and/or relatives to obtain cooperation and approval of actions (Essential)
- Deal effectively in crisis or traumatic situations involving extreme emotional situations (Essential)
- Deal effectively with external customers of considerable importance (Essential)
- Working knowledge of applicable occupational health and safety legislation; general knowledge of corporate/program policies and procedures related to health and safety (Essential)
- Function well in an interdisciplinary team (Essential)
- Access to Vehicle and Valid Driver’s License (Essential)
- Vulnerable Sector Check (Level 3) and remain compliant (Essential)
- Bilingualism (French/English) (preferred)

** Please note you will be represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU).**

**RÉSUMÉ DES FONCTIONS**

La travailleuse sociale ou le travailleur social s’occupe des facteurs psychosociaux de la patiente ou du patient et de sa famille qui sont pertinents au diagnostic, à la maladie ou à l’hospitalisation par l’évaluation et le counseling, l’établissement de relations communautaires, la coordination des services sociaux, l’éducation, la recherche et l’enseignement.

**RESPONSABILITÉS PRINCIPALES**
- Évaluer la dynamique, le fonctionnement, les forces et les besoins des familles.
- Fournir un soutien émotionnel et du counseling (p. ex. traumatisme, intervention en situation de crise, adaptation, gestion du comportement, etc.).
- Participer à des réu