Social Worker, MSW - Child & Adolescent Mental Health Urgent Clinic

Reporting to the Patient Care Manager, the Mental Health Child and Adolescent Urgent Clinic Social Worker will provide crisis consultation and psychosocial assessments for children and adolescents with an acute mental health concern that have either been seen in the emergency department or have been referred to the outpatient mental health clinic and identified as requiring urgent intervention. In addition, the clinician would be able to assess for suicidal ideation and behaviours, provide short term crisis counseling, and utilize community resources and linkages.

The incumbent will be expected to work in a high paced environment. The applicant must have advanced assessment skills and the ability to utilize therapeutic interventions to assist in patient stabilization (maximum of 3 sessions). Further, a good working knowledge and ability to link with other service providers in the hospital and community is required. Preference will be given to those who have knowledge of CBT and DBT. Experience working in a hospital is an asset. In order to meet the needs of the program and clients some evening work may be required. The Social Worker is also expected to contribute to program development and continuous quality improvement, and organize and collaborate in the planning and implementation of social work best practices within interdisciplinary team environment.

Contribute to safe, quality care by:

• Managing a workload effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Addressing and resolving issues in a productive, respectful manner.
• Exercising sound professional judgment and using best practice guidelines.
• Contributing to a safe, inclusive environment for all through compliance with patient and staff safety policies and procedures.

What must you have?

• Master’s Degree in Social Work from an accredited University required.
• Current member in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Services workers.

What else do you bring?

• Working knowledge of relevant legislation including the Mental Health Act; Health Care Consent Act; Substitute Decisions Act and Child & Family Services Act.
• A minimum of 3-5 years of related experience in a child and adolescent mental health setting.
• Able to perform thorough psychosocial assessments of individuals under age 18.
• Ability to assess for presence of suicidal ideation and behavior in children and adolescents.
• Crisis Intervention experience is an asset.
• Demonstrated expertise in anxiety, OCD, and affective disorders.
• Experience using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Dialectical Behavioural Skills Training.
• Counseling skills with children and adolescents.
• Ability to utilize therapeutic modalities to provide short term crisis counselling for the purpose of stabilization.
• Superior skills in communication, advocacy on behalf of clients, collaboration with inter-professional team, consultation with professional colleagues in the Hospital and the community.
• Excellent organization, communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively as a team member in a dynamic, fast paced, interdisciplinary environment.
• Ability to work independently and manage time appropriately to ensure best use of resources.
• Demonstrated commitment to own professional development and ongoing education.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience working with individuals from diverse ethno cultural backgrounds is an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to broker and coordinate community resources.
• Demonstrated skills in continuous quality improvement, program development, implementation and evaluation.
• Successful completion of CPI or other form of Management of Aggressive Behaviour training is an asset.
• Proven attendance record.
• Demonstrates understanding and complies with patient and staff safety policies and procedures that foster a safe and inclusive environment for all.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the job.
• Effectively uses empathy in interactions with others.
• Demonstrates behaviours consistent with Mackenzie Health’s Commitment to Caring.
• Models behaviour that is aligned with the values of Mackenzie Health - Excellence, Leadership and Empathy.
• Commitment to providing an exceptional experience for staff and clients within a challenging and exciting health care environment.

*You may be required to work at any site of Mackenzie Health.

Mackenzie Health is an inclusive and equal opportunity employer committed to providing accommodations for applicants upon request at any stage of the recruitment process in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those under consideration for an interview will be contacted.