Social Worker, Palliative Care Services/Roger Neilson Children's Hospice – Permanent Full-Time (1.0)

Consistent with the inter professional setting and the mission, vision and strategic directions of CHEO and Roger Neilson House the Social Worker will be a member of an inter professional team providing palliative care services at CHEO, at Roger Neilson House and on an outreach basis in the community. The Social Worker will offer counseling to children/youth and their families who are living with a progressive life limiting illness. The Social Worker will offer support throughout the illness trajectory including end of life and will provide liaison and co-ordination of community services/resources as required. Bereavement support will be provided on an individual, family and group basis.

The Social Worker provides psychosocial assessments and intervention to patients and families to help address social and emotional stressors resulting from the interaction of physical, social, cultural, and psychological outcomes associated with health issues and treatment. The Social Worker will provide counseling related to diagnosis and adjustment to illness, crisis intervention, liaison within CHEO and with community-based agencies/services. The Social Worker will advocate on behalf of patients and families with regards to community services/resources and financial assistance.

The Social Worker will be a member of the CHEO Discipline of Social Work.

• →Conducts comprehensive psycho-social and family assessments by methods such as interviewing the patient and family, obtaining relevant information, gathering social data regarding the patient and family and formulation of assessment and plan of intervention, in accordance with professional practice standards and clinical policies.
• →The social worker will provide counseling and support to patients and their families by offering ongoing individual, family and group counseling, crisis intervention and conflict resolution related to treatment decisions, child welfare, mental health, trauma, illness, treatment refusal, end of life decisions and loss.
• →Advocates on behalf of families with respect to services and supports.
• →Work closely with the interdisciplinary team to provide continuity of care for patients between visits. Coordinates social work care between CHEO and the adult programs.
• →Participation in clinical research activities related to Palliative Care.
• →Facilitates support groups for children/youth and families
• →Maintains current knowledge on social work evidence based practice by such methods as reviewing literature, consulting with clinical and community experts in the field, evaluating clinical practice and participating in professional development activities in order to improve care through new practices.
• →Performs administrative tasks by maintaining clinical documentation, progress notes, workload statistics and updating health records in accordance with established standards.
• →Carries other responsibilities as assigned

• M.S.W. graduate from an accredited university program in social work (Essential)
• Member of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers and broad knowledge of Social Work theory, practice and regulations established by the College (Essential)
• Demonstrated expertise and knowledge about the impact of illness on children, youth and families (Essential)
• Demonstrated expertise and knowledge in the area of progressive life-limiting illness and the acute terminal phase of palliative care. (Essential)
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience within a pediatric hospital setting (Preferred)
• Demonstrated ability to work independently (Essential)
• Demonstrated ability to conduct and document a comprehensive psychosocial assessment (Essential)
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize and prioritize work (Essential)
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively in an inter professional environment with co-workers, physicians, clients and their families and external agencies (Essential)
• Well-developed group therapy skills (Essential)
• Knowledge of community resources (Preferred)
• Ability to operate a computerized patient care information system (Preferred)
• Demonstrated ability to integrate the following approaches into practice: Strength-Based Perspective, Family System’s Theory, Crisis Intervention, Brief Solution-Focused Therapy & Grief & Bereavement (Preferred)      
• Comfort level and skill in preparing and delivering presentations (Preferred)
• Experience working with children and families new to Canada using culturally safe practices (Preferred)
• Flexibility in working hours (Essential)
• Vulnerable Sector Check (Level 3) (Essential)
• Bilingualism (English and French) (Preferred)

Please note you will be represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU).

CHEO values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process and welcome interest from all qualified applicants.

Should you require accommodation during any phase in the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at TalentAcquisition@cheo.on.ca. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential and will be handled in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

We thank all those who apply, however, only those to be interviewed will be contacted.