Social Worker

Southlake is building healthy communities through outstanding care, innovative partnerships, and amazing people. We deliver a wide range of healthcare services to the communities of northern York Region and southern Simcoe County. Our advanced regional programs include Cancer Care and Cardiac Care and serve a broader population across the northern GTA and into Simcoe-Muskoka.

Our team of nearly 6,000 staff, physicians, volunteers, students and Patient and Family Advisors are committed to creating an environment where the best experiences happen. As a recognition of our commitment to quality and patient safety, we have received the highest distinction of Exemplary Standing from Accreditation Canada.

The Social Worker works as a member of the interprofessional team delivering social work services for oncology and palliative care clients of the Stronach Regional Cancer Centre. He/she provides in-depth psychosocial assessment and appropriate interventions for patients and their caregivers, including resource education, emotional support, counselling, case management, and advocacy, to maximize patient quality of life within their community.

He/she role models the professional and core competencies.

• Functions within scope of practice as defined by Ontario College of Social Workers.

• Adheres to hospital policies and practices.

• Participates in appropriate program/hospital committee projects.

• Participates in hospital and staff development programs.

• Participates in and promotes continuous quality improvement initiatives.

• Provides comprehensive, coordinated social work and discharge planning services to patients and their families in the Stronach Regional Cancer Centre (SRCC)

• Provides comprehensive psycho-social assessments of patients referred to the SRCC Social Worker.

• Provides counselling services to patients and their families with a goal to assisting the patient and family to adjust to the effects and complications of illness. This includes emotional support and counselling for individual, marital, family and financial issues.

• Provides crisis and grief counselling for patient/family and team.

• Provides information and education to patients and their families pertaining to their plan of care

• Provides consultation to medical staff and other team members regarding psycho-social aspects of patient and family functioning and community resources.

• Maintains relevant documentation of social work services provided in a clear concise written form.

• Maintains statistical data as required by the program.

• Maintains confidentiality of patient/family related communication and documentation.

• Facilitates referrals to community resources.

• Assumes advocacy role within program on behalf of patient and family.

• Acts as resource and liaison to community stakeholders and facilitate referrals to community resources.

• Functions as a partner in the health care team to realize the team goals and objectives.

• Demonstrated knowledge and skills in psychosocial assessment, conflict resolution, and creative problem-solving

• Demonstrated ability to work co-operatively and constructively with other team members and develop effective partnerships with community agencies/facilities.

• Demonstrated effective counselling skills

• Demonstrated strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with patients/families, interprofessional team members, and other stakeholders.

• Demonstrated excellent organizational and coordination skills and the ability to prioritise multiple competing workload demands.

• Demonstrated flexibility and ability to work under pressure in a fast paced environment

• Flexible to meet additional responsibilities as program demands

• Masters' Degree in Social Work from an accredited university

• Member in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW), with no terms, conditions, or limitations required

• Membership in the Ontario Association of Social Workers (preferred)

• Three to five (3-5) years relevant social work experience, or equivalent, within an acute care setting required

• Two (2) years recent experience in oncology and palliative care preferred

• Experience with crisis / urgent presentations an asset

• Previous training/experience in loss and grief is required

Regular and reliable attendance is an expected requirement of this position.

At Southlake, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible environment. We are dedicated to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community in which we live and serve, including those with disabilities. Southlake is committed to providing accommodations in all parts of the hiring process. If you require an accommodation, we will work with you to meet your needs.

It is the responsibility of all Southlake employees to work in a safe manner and promote health and safety in the workplace.