Social Worker MSW - Neonatal 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 Women’s and Newborn Health program at McMaster University Medical Center and McMaster Children’s Hospital provides gynecological, obstetrical, midwifery, and neonatal services to the central-south region of the province. As a high-risk perinatal center, the broader multi-disciplinary team provides care to patients with varying levels of acuity and complexity. From a newborn perspective, tertiary-level care is provided in the NICU for both inborn and outborn babies.

Position Summary

As a member of the healthcare team, the Social Worker (MSW) provides direct patient care through the provision of psycho-social screening and assessments; individual and family counseling and treatment; crisis intervention; bereavement counseling; identification of high-risk child welfare issues; liaison and referral to community agencies; discharge planning, adoption support, advocacy and education. This support is provided within both inpatient and outpatient clinical areas. The MSW model of care prioritizes consistency and relationship building throughout the continuum of care in the Women’s and Newborn Health (WNH) program linking support with patients through outpatient clinics which then follows the patients through various episodes of care within the WNH program. The Social Worker contributes to new and ongoing research and quality assurance projects and provides consultation/liaison to other caregivers and community agencies. The Social Worker will also participate in student education as appropriate, including providing Field Instruction to Social Work students.

Schedule Work Hours

Rotating days, evening, weekends and holidays

This position is temporary until November 2027.

Qualifications

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

• Current Certificate of Registration with the College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers

• Demonstrated experience and expertise in evaluation, prioritization, and triaging of patient referrals

• Minimum of one (1) year of recent experience in a pediatric setting providing a range of evidence based, therapeutic modalities including strong assessment, counseling, case management, crisis intervention and advocacy skills to support of children, youth and their families

• Previous experience in providing crisis and bereavement counseling
  Proven ability to work in a fast-paced, complex environment and to organize, prioritize and problem-solve effectively

• Expert knowledge of community-based resources in mental health, child welfare, and juvenile justice within the region

• Demonstrated knowledge of the Mental Health Act, Health Care Consent Act, Child, Youth and Family Services Act, Substitute Decisions Act, Personal Health Information Protection Act

• Demonstrated expertise and strong knowledge base in the occurrence and range of child and youth mental health disorders and difficulties

• Demonstrated proficiency in report writing related to assessment, consultation and treatment services

• Excellent written and verbal communication and strong interpersonal skills

• Demonstrated problem solving, critical thinking, and organizational skills

• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as within a multidisciplinary team

• 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.