About SickKids

Dedicated exclusively to children and their families, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) is one of the largest and most respected paediatric healthcare centres in the world. As innovators in child health, we lead and partner to improve the health of children through the integration of healthcare, leading-edge research and education. Our reputation would not have been built - nor could it be maintained - without the skills, knowledge and experience of the extraordinary people who come to work here every day. SickKids is committed to ongoing learning and development, and features a caring and supportive work environment that combines exceptionally high standards of practice.

When you join SickKids, you become part of our community. We share a commitment and determination to fulfill our vision of Healthier Children. A Better World.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to work alongside the world's best in paediatric healthcare.

Position Description

Weekend Emergency Department Social Worker (Casual; 12-hour shifts)

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 Director, Social Work, this social work position will be providing social work support to any program within the hospital where a need arises over the weekend. This is a casual (Saturday, Sunday, statutory holidays 12-hour shifts as assigned;11am to 11pm) social work position in the Emergency Department. The social worker within this role will primarily work independently during the shift they are assigned.

The weekend social worker in this position will be required to work in a fast-paced, crisis focused work environment. The Social Worker will identify child and family strengths, problem-solving abilities, cognition, interactions, attitudes, feelings and cultural issues in relation to child's condition, and supports/resources available to the family. They are utilized as key supports in response to situations such as traumas, complex family circumstances, responses and dynamics, end of life supports and resourcing. Social workers work with medically complex children and their families. As a key member of the broader medical team(s), the Social Worker utilizes assessment and intervention skills to develop and implement an intervention plan that addresses the immediate and ongoing needs of the child and family related to the child's medical condition.

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 Will Get to Do:

• 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 counseling, group work, consultation, case management, crisis intervention, community outreach and advocacy.
• Collaborate/communicate with the health care team and community agencies.
• Assume responsibility for all aspects of practice including issues of productivity and utilization.
• Practice in a manner that is consistent with the philosophy of continuous quality improvement and evidence-based practice.

Here's What You'll Need:

• A Master's degree in Social Work.
• Registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.
• An understanding of the multitude of issues that bring a child and family to a pediatric emergency department. Preference will be given to candidates with knowledge and experience in the fields of crisis intervention, adult and pediatric mental health, and /or Emergency Department social work.
• Well-developed assessment and intervention skills, as well as skills in crisis management, loss and bereavement and mental health intervention.
• Well-developed strengths in advocacy and collaboration both within a crisis focused team and with external resources, and knowledge and experience with crisis prevention and intervention models
• 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
• Knowledge of the network of community services and resources; an understanding of health care delivery systems and the practice of social work in a secondary setting is also important.
• Proficiency in the use of electronic platforms such as Microsoft Office, hospital documentation systems and other relevant technology
• Ability to collaborate effectively as a member of the health care team and to take initiative and leadership when appropriate.
• Commitment to remain abreast of current literature and relevant developments in clinical practice.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to utilize critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and efficient time management.
• Demonstrated ability to function as a member of the interdisciplinary health care team.
• Demonstrated belief in lifelong learning and evidence-based practice.
• Demonstrated commitment and actions in advancing equity, diversity and inclusion objectives
• Flexibility to work longer hours (12 hours) and some statutory holiday coverage.
• To accommodate the needs of patients and families, flexible hours are required, and the job is on-site at the Elizabeth St location.
• The opportunity to pick up additional weekday shifts may also be available based on need for coverage.
• Demonstrate commitment and actions in advancing equity, diversity and inclusion objectives

Employment Type:

• Casual; Permanent (No Benefits). 12-hr shifts as assigned on Saturday/Sunday/Stat Holidays

Our Commitment to Diversity

SickKids is committed to championing equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do, fostering an intentionally inclusive and culturally safe environment that reflects the diversity of the patients, families and communities we serve. Learn more about workplace inclusion.

Accessibility & Accommodation

If you require accommodation during the application process, please reach out to our aSKHR team. SickKids can provide access and inclusion supports to eligible candidates to support their full engagement during the interview and selection process as well as to ensure candidates are able to perform their duties once successfully hired. If you are invited for an interview and require accommodation, please let us know at the time of your invitation to interview. Information received related to access, inclusion or accommodation will be addressed confidentially.

How To Apply

Technical difficulties? Email ask.hr@sickkids.ca with a short description of the issues you are experiencing. We will not accept resumes sent to this inbox but we are happy to respond to requests for technical assistance.

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.