Social Worker MSW - Pediatric ICU

Unit Summary

Step into a job that opens countless doors. As one of Canada’s largest and most diverse hospitals, we’re providing advanced care to people of all ages from across the province. You can explore advancement opportunities, take professional development courses, and stretch yourself as a leader, all at HHS. We are the largest employer in the greater Hamilton region, and play a vital role in training the next generation of health professionals in collaboration with our academic partners, including McMaster University and Mohawk College. Hamilton Health Sciences is a hospital system of 18,000 staff, physicians, researchers and volunteers that proudly serves south central Ontario residents. We also provide specialized, advanced care to people from across the province.

The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at McMaster Children’s Hospital (MCH) is a robust department, comprised of 12 level 3 critical care beds, and 4 level 2 step down beds, a Pediatric Critical Care Response team (PACE) and a newly formed Pediatric Critical Care Transport Team, all which provide medical and surgical care to children and their families across southern Ontario. The interdisciplinary team provides family centered care with a strong focus on evidence based best practice and continuous improvement initiatives. The unit provides specialized care to complex, surgical, oncologic, orthopedic, trauma and medical pediatric patient populations utilizing a collaborative approach. The PICU team engages in advanced therapies including continuous renal replacement therapy, therapeutic plasma exchange, and organ donation. Our dedicated team of health professionals provides family centered care that embraces teaching, research and health promotion.

Position Summary

Through in-depth psychosocial assessments, the Social Worker will identify child and family strengths, stressors, problem-solving abilities, dynamics, interactions, attitudes, feelings and cultural issues in relation to the needs of the acute patient in PICU The Social Worker is involved in clinical activities as an integral member of the healthcare team in the PICU

The Social Worker will work collaboratively with the team to perform interdisciplinary assessments aimed at developing and implementing a plan of intervention, which addresses education, coping and compliance. As a member of the healthcare team, the Social Worker provides direct patient care through the provision of psycho-social screening and assessments; individual and family counseling and treatment; crisis intervention; bereavement counseling; liaison and referral to community agencies; advocacy and discharge planning This will be achieved through a variety of modalities including individual and family interview, consultation, crisis intervention, patient and family education, community outreach and advocacy. The Social Worker will identify and make referrals to appropriate supports and resources and assist families in accessing financial assistance programs when necessary. The social worker will provide mental health screening services to patients who are suspected of having a mental health disorder and completing suicide and homicide risk assessments as needed.

Schedule Work Hours

Days, evenings and weekends

This position is temporary until October 2026.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Clinical Social Work from an accredited School of Social Work

• Current certificate of Registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers

• Minimum three (3) years recent experience with children and families in an tertiary care pediatric setting providing individual and family therapy

• Minimum of three (3) years of critical care experience preferred

• Previous experience in providing bereavement crisis and counseling. Knowledge of Healthcare Consent Act

• Knowledge of community resources and referral process

• Demonstrated skills in the performance of a therapeutic role including strong assessment, counseling, case management, crisis intervention and advocacy skills

• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced, complex environment and to organize, prioritize and problem-solve effectively

• Strong interpersonal, communication, teamwork, consultation and teaching skills

• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing learning

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.