OPSEU

Job Title: Social Worker
Status: Temporary Full Time
Department: Social Work -Mental Health, LHAP
Program: Mental Health & Addictions
8 Hour Shifts, days, evenings Schedule (Subject to Change)
Location: Lakeridge Health Ajax-Pickering
Wage Schedule: $44.670 - $57.900 per hour
Posting Reference: 2600000286

Lakeridge Health is more than a hospital. It is a health network that includes five hospitals, a long-term care home, a community-based surgical centre, and more than 30 community sites across the Durham Region. Guided by our vision of One System. Best Health. and supported by a dedicated team of nearly 9,000 staff, physicians, and volunteers, Lakeridge Health is a place where the best people want to start, grow, and finish their careers in health care. We are focused on fostering an environment that’s inclusive, compassionate, innovative, and joyful. This is Lakeridge Health!

This position is open to all qualified OPSEU staff throughout Lakeridge Health commencing 3 February 2026 and closing at 11:59 pm on 10 February 2026.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Working within an interdisciplinary team, the Social Worker provides intake and triage functions, comprehensive psychosocial assessments and group therapy and psychoeducation to adults with serious mental illness following an inpatient admission or a visit to the Crisis Intervention Team. The focus of the MHDT program is primarily to assist the client in developing or enhancing coping skills related to the social, emotional, and psychological difficulties he/she presents with and to link the patient to appropriate community services upon discharge for continuity of care. The Social Worker also provides evening psycho-education groups to family members of clients who are in the program. Other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master of Social Work Degree;

• registration and membership in OCSWSSW;

• 5 years' experience providing psychotherapy groups to clients with serious mental health concerns

• demonstrated skill in psychosocial assessment and treatment of adults with serious mental health difficulties

• training and demonstrated experience in Dialectical Behavioural Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy approaches

• previous experience and training in group psychotherapy with psychiatric population in a day treatment setting is an asset

• experience in providing individual, group and family therapy;

• demonstrated skill in crisis intervention and management;

• experience in providing psycho-education to families;

• demonstrated knowledge of advanced group theories and interpersonal relations;

• proven experience in working in a brief acute care model;

• demonstrated ability to work with community agencies;

• proven ability to function within a multidisciplinary team;

• demonstrated knowledge of health care facilities and community support systems, services, social agencies, etc.;

• demonstrated ability to organize workload and establish priorities effectively;

• demonstrated skill in communicating effectively with patients, various institutions, agencies, and all levels of staff;

• demonstrated effective leadership and interpersonal skills;

• proven to have strong initiative and problem solving abilities;

• proven to have effective written and verbal communication skills;

• demonstrated experience in data analysis, program evaluation and research;

• demonstrated understanding of and commitment to Lakeridge Health's comprehensive safety programs and practices including staff, patient and environmental safety and participation in regular in service education in this area;

• demonstrated ability to foster good public relations and effective working relationships

At Lakeridge Health, we value inclusion and diversity. We are committed to fostering a culture that is respectful, inclusive, and accessible. We are committed to employing a workforce that is representative of the diverse community we provide services to and welcome applications from all qualified applicants from all backgrounds.

Accommodation will be provided in all parts of the recruitment and assessment process in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require any accommodation at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact recruitment@lh.ca .

Unless specifically stated, all job postings at Lakeridge Health are to fill existing vacancies within our organization. Lakeridge Health may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools as part of the recruitment and screening process. A member of our Talent Acquisition team is actively engaged in the Recruitment and Selection process to ensure a fair and thorough assessment of applicants.

Lakeridge Health thanks all those who apply, however, only candidates considered for an interview will be contacted.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

The terms and conditions of employment are in accordance with the Collective Agreement between the Hospital and OPSEU Local 348.

Successful External applicants must provide a satisfactory Criminal Investigation Reference for the vulnerable sector, dated within the past six (6) months.

Lakeridge Health is committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment for all team members and patients. New Lakeridge Health team members will be required to complete a Pre-employment Health Assessment as a condition of employment.