The Hospital for Sick Children is a leading tertiary pediatric center providing medical and mental health care to the most complex children and youth and their families. A dynamic clinical, education and research environment, SickKids is committed to excellence in integrated inter-professional care. It is a center of excellence in the delivery of innovative health care to the paediatric population.

Reporting to the Clinical Manager, Social Work, this social work position will be primarily situated in a ward and in associated clinics for patients with chronic health conditions that can be life threatening and often require hospitalizations for acute episodes. This is a 0.3 FTE (1.5 days/week - Every Wednesday and alternate Friday) social work position in Rheumatology and Nephrology. The social workers in this cluster work collaboratively so there will be some involvement with the other medical programs in the ward/clinics.

The social worker in this position carries out psychosocial assessments to identify child and family concerns, goals, strengths, and resources in relation to children’s and caregivers’ physical and mental health. Support to patients and families will include consideration of families’ problem-solving abilities, attitudes, history, culture, supports and resources in relation to the child’s illness.

Providing services in one of the most diverse cities in the country, SickKids social workers are committed to enhancing health equity, respectful service and inclusion of all populations served by the hospital.

Social workers are important partners in delivering on the mental health strategy of SickKids. Increasingly their work reflects the important integration of mental health in the context of managing complex pediatric life-span conditions – an important priority of the patients and families whom we serve.

Here’s What You’ll Get To Do:

• Utilize in-person, telephone, email and virtual communication to provide support to a large caseload of patients/families across a wide range of issues related to physical and mental health

• Develop and implement a plan of intervention which addresses coping, adaptation, treatment adherence and quality of life. This is achieved through a variety of modalities including crisis intervention, supportive counseling, consultation, case management, community outreach and advocacy

• Support families coping through their children’s hospital experiences

• Assist families in securing resources that address issues related to the social determinants of health

• Collaborate with the health care team

• Collaborate with social workers in this cluster to develop programs for patients and families

• Contribute to research integrate this research into practice

• Create, utilize and/or disseminate new knowledge

• Assume responsibility for all aspects of practice including issues of productivity and utilization

• Participate in social work committees/working groups

• Participate in weekend social work provision

Here’s What You’ll Need:

• Master’s degree in Social Work

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

• Demonstrated critical thinking and problem-solving skills

• Clinical experience with children and families

• Experience with child protection

• Well-developed family support skills

• Ability to effectively deal with conflict

• Knowledge of common mental health issues and treatment

• Demonstrated experience and knowledge in culturally competent practice, and extensive understanding of the importance of health equity, diversity, and inclusion in the delivery of healthcare services

• Understanding of health care delivery systems and the practice of social work in a secondary setting

• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively as a member of the inter-professional health care team

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, organizational, time management skills

• Proficiency in the use of electronic platforms such as Microsoft Office, hospital documentation systems and other relevant technology

• Ability to be detail-oriented while also considering larger systemic issues

• Willingness to take initiative and work independently and as part of a team

• Demonstrated commitment to practice in a manner that is consistent with the philosophy of continuous quality improvement and evidence-based practice

• To accommodate the needs of patients and families, flexible hours are required; the job is primarily on-site at the Elizabeth St location.

Employment Type:

Permanent Part Time – (0.3 FTE – 1.5 Day per week – Every Wednesday and every alternate Friday). No Benefits.

The children and families we care for are from a variety of communities, and so are our employees. We welcome and encourage everyone to join our organization and be part of our team.

When requested, SickKids will provide access and inclusion supports to eligible candidates to support their full engagement during the interview and assessment process. Information received related to access or inclusion will be addressed confidentially.

Thank you for your interest in joining SickKids. Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. In accordance with our Hospital policy, employment at SickKids is conditional upon the Hospital’s receipt of all necessary documentation.

FOR EXTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY: As a health care institution, our highest priority is the safety of patients, families and staff. As a result, we are adopting all prevention measures to ensure the safety of our patients, families and our staff. Therefore, any offer of employment is conditional upon you submitting proof that you have been fully vaccinated with a Health Canada or World Health Organization (WHO) approved COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible and no later than fourteen (14) calendar days prior to the effective start date, in addition to satisfying any other condition(s) that may be set out in an offer. If a candidate fails to satisfy this condition (or any other condition(s) set out in an offer), any offer of employment shall be immediately rescinded.

How to Apply

Tip: Combine your cover letter and resume into ONE document of 20 pages or less as you cannot upload multiple documents as part of your application.

If you are still experiencing technical difficulties please email ask.hr@sickkids.ca to send us a short description of the issues you are experiencing. Please note that we will not accept resumes sent to this inbox but we are happy to respond to requests for technical assistance.