Social Worker MSW

Unit Summary

The West Niagara Mental Health Program is an outpatient clinical service for West Niagara residents, located at West Lincoln Memorial Hospital, with serious mental health and substance use disorder problems for people ages 16 and older (14-35 who have experienced a first episode of psychosis). Assessment and treatment is provided within a transdisciplinary team consisting of psychiatrists, nursing, social workers, occupational therapy, dietitian, and other health specialists. Dedicated staff work from a person-centered, recovery-oriented, behavioural, and evidence-based model of assessment and treatment.

Position Summary

Working within the context of the West Niagara Mental Health transdisciplinary team, utilizing a patient-centered and evidence-based approach, the Social Worker provides comprehensive substance use and concurrent disorder treatments to individuals (with suspected or confirmed serious mental illness and substance use disorders) aged 16 and older. Some services may be provided to individuals 14 and older who are part of the Early Psychosis Intervention Program (EPI). The Social Worker will be involved in screening individuals for substance use disorders and mental illness through clinical interviews, standardized measures, and completing mental status examinations. Treatment is provided through individual and group modalities. The Social Worker will provide psychotherapy (behaviorual treatments including DBT), writing comprehensive reports, providing supportive counselling, providing psychoeducation to family members and patients, psychosocial rehabilitation, case management services, psychoeducation, assessing patient safety risk including suicide and homicide assessments, and implementing and assessing patients' response to treatment(s) and psychotherapy. The Social Worker will also work in conjunction with the West Lincoln Memorial Hospital Emergency Room staff and Medical Units to provide assessment, referral, and treatment services as necessary for patients with substance use disorders.

Schedule Work Hours

Days, evenings, occasional weekend, and possible on call responsibilities.

This position is temporary until January 2027.

Qualifications

1. Master's Degree in Social Work from an accredited School of Social Work.
2. Registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers as a Social Worker.
3. Minimum of 3 years of recent clinical experience providing mental health assessment and treatment to individuals, adolescents, families, and groups.
4. Excellent knowledge and demonstrated use of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT); willing to work within a behavioural science framework with evidence-based processes.
5. Willingness to work from an abstinence and harm reduction based approach to substance use disorders.
6. Willingness to work with client with suicide and self-harm behaviours in an outpatient setting.
7. Working knowledge of psychopharmacology for social work.
8. Excellent knowledge of the Mental Health Act and Consent to Treatment Act.
9. Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
10. Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, changing environment.
11. Demonstrated commitment to ongoing learning and the ability to teach.
12. Proven ability to organize, prioritize and problem-solve effectively.
13. Willingness to work flexible hours, including some evenings

Hamilton Health Sciences fosters a culture of patient and staff safety, whereby all employees are guided by our Mission, Vision, Values, and Values Based Code of Conduct. Hamilton Health Sciences is a teaching hospital and all staff and physicians are expected to support students and other learners.

To be considered for this opportunity applicants must apply during the posting period. All internal and external applicants may ONLY apply via the Careers website. This job posting is for an existing vacancy.

Hamilton Health Sciences is an equal opportunity employer and we will accommodate any needs under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code. Hiring processes will be modified to remove barriers to accommodate those with disabilities, if requested. Should any applicant require accommodation through the application processes, please contact Human Resources at 905-521-2100, Ext. 46947 for assistance. If the applicant requires a specific accommodation because of a disability during an interview, the applicant will need to advise the hiring manager when scheduling the interview and the appropriate accommodations can be made.

This competition is open to all qualified applicants, however, qualified internal applicants will be considered first. Past performance will be considered as part of the selection process. If you are a previous employee of Hamilton Health Sciences, please note: the circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment. Proficiency in both Official Languages, French and English, is considered an asset.