Social Worker - Inpatient Mental Health

Halton Healthcare’s vision of Exemplary patient experiences, always, goes beyond just the patient experience; it has shaped our entire culture and remains at the core of every interaction in our organization, from our patients & families to our staff, physicians and volunteers. We believe in exemplary PEOPLE experiences always!

At Halton Healthcare you will thrive in a healthcare culture and environment that embraces inclusion, diversity and belonging with ‘exemplary patient care, always’ at the heart of everything we do.

We empower our people to be the very best they can be so they can make a difference for our patients and the communities we serve.

Halton Healthcare takes great pride in providing quality, compassionate healthcare services to our rapidly growing communities. As a progressive and vibrant healthcare organization, we are committed to being an innovative center of excellence in community hospital care.

As part of a multi-disciplinary team, the incumbent will provide clinical social work services to inpatients on the Adult Inpatient Mental Health Units. Your primary focus is to provide support, using therapeutic modalities, to patients and their families, as appropriate. You will provide information and facilitate connections to community resources based on the individual needs of the patient.

• Conduct comprehensive social work/psychosocial assessments, using a variety of modalities and in accordance with professional standards, clinical policies, and practices.
• Provide selected therapeutic interventions to patients and families, supportive counseling and education, group interventions, case management, resource co-ordination, community outreach and advocacy.
• Lead therapeutic and educational groups for patients and families as assigned.
• In collaboration with professional colleagues on the unit, promote high standards of ethical clinical care.
• Participate in team conferences, interdisciplinary rounds, and educational rounds.
• Intervene to alleviate high risk or vulnerable situations (homelessness, Substance abuse, etc.).
• Engage patient (and family) in problem-solving; enable goal setting; assist with adjustment related to health issues (engaging, palliation, new diagnosis, etc.).
• Formulate a social work intervention/treatment plan to accomplish identified goals.
• Provide resource counselling through education and information as needed.
• Resolve complex issues with patient/family/SDM/POA through conflict resolution meetings, providing mediation and advocacy with internal and external partners.
• Facilitate process for determination of Capacity for finances (under HCCA and MHA (Mental Health and Addictions) legislation).
• Collaboration and information sharing with community partners within the “circle of care” this includes, but is not limited to community resources such as respite and communal care facilities, retirement homes, Long Term Care homes, Public Guardian and Trustee, Adult Day Programs, Children’s Aid Society, Hospice, etc.
• Provide education to the team if indicated around Capacity and Substitute Decision makers, guardianship, Court appointments, SDM rankings, Public Guardian, and Trustee involvement) as it pertains under the HCCA, Mental Health act and or Substitute Decisions Act and ensure capacity of patient is determined prior to seeking Next-of-kin/SDM involvement for decision-making.
• Advocate within both the healthcare setting and the community for the removal of systemic barriers that negatively influence the delivery of health care and the continuity of care of our services to our patients, their families, the organization, and our community.
• Appropriately escalate issues to Patient Care Manager and Director within expected timelines.

• Master of Social Work required
• Current registration and membership in good standing with the College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
• Minimum 3 years' experience in a hospital or community health organization preferred
• Strong clinical, communication and collaboration skills
• CBT, DBT, and Brief Solution Focused therapy experience preferred
• Strong knowledge of community resources and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively with community partners
• Familiarity with Mental Health Act, Consent to Treatment Act, Substitute Decisions Act, and Healthcare Consent Act, consider adding PHIPA
• Demonstrated ability to maintain an evidence-based practice approach, social work assessment, counseling, and case coordination skills
• Demonstrated excellence in interview skills and ability to provide comprehensive and timely psycho-social assessments
• Therapeutic relationship skills and group facilitation skills
• Skills in facilitating family meetings, managing complex family dynamics, and facilitating individual/group family psychoeducation
• Strong ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team
• Satisfactory employment and attendance record
• Demonstrated ability to maintain an evidence-based practice approach

Hours: Monday to Friday days - 0800 - 1600 (hours subject to change based on operational needs of the organization)

Salary: $44.664 to $57.90 per hour

Date Posted: October 29, 2024

Internal Applicants due by: November 5, 2024

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Halton Healthcare is an equal opportunity employer who is committed to integrating diversity, equity and inclusion throughout our operations, policies and culture. If you are passionate about what you do, motivated by a job well done, and as committed to excellence, quality and patient satisfaction as we are, we'd like to hear from you. Please attach your current resume directly to this posting.

We thank all those who apply but only those individuals selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Halton Healthcare is committed to providing accommodations for applicants with disabilities. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code, Halton Healthcare will provide accommodations throughout the recruitment and selection process. If you require an accommodation, we will work with you to meet your accommodation needs to ensure your equal participation.

All new hires must be fully compliant with our Vaccination Policy as a condition of employment with Halton Healthcare. Successful applicants will be required to provide proof of vaccination or proof of a documented medical exemption as part of the hiring process.

All personal information is collected under the authority of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.