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

SickKids is looking for a Developmental Service Worker (DSW) with a background in behaviour science and experience working with children and youth with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) and/or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to be part of a fast-paced team.

The DSW will work within the ABILITY Program, as part of a biopsychosocial model of interdisciplinary care responsible for using developmentally appropriate and least restrictive supports to increase access to medically necessary care for children/youth with IDD/ASD. The ABILITY team strives to help children/youth with IDD/ASD access care at SickKids Hospital across both in-patient, Emergency Department and out-patient settings. This can include, but is not limited to, the implementation of de-escalation strategies and the implementation of behaviour intervention plans to support diagnosis and treatment. The DSW will be part of an interdisciplinary team of healthcare providers including Registered Behaviour Analyst, Nursing, Service and Program Coordinators and Physicians.

As a valued member of the team, we require the DSW to be flexible and a collaborative team player, able to adapt within a fast paced and sometimes unpredictable environment, all while providing quality developmental/behaviourally focused care. A background in behaviour science will be an asset on this team.

Here's What You'll Get to Do

• Engage in therapeutic engagements and observations of admitted children/youth who meet the criteria for behavioural support across the organizations
• Work directly with children/youth with IDD/ASD, and other mental health and cognitive issues
• Under the supervision, implement behavioral and medical intervention plans. This includes, but not limited to:

o Support the functional behaviour assessment process

o Collaborate on the development of behaviour intervention plans

o Collect and graph data used to evaluate patient goals and progress

o Prepare and organize the learning environment and resources for safety or for structured and naturalistic therapeutic work

o Prepare and create a variety of visuals (I.e., visual schedules, token boards, social stories)

o Daily implementation and evaluation of individuals skill acquisition

• To arrive on scene at a potential escalated event and support de-escalation and use of least restrictive strategies in the prevention of restraint and seclusion, to help maintain safety
• Document and communicate with the interprofessional team, contribute to care plans
• Compliance with organizational policies and procedures
• Support with activity of daily living skills if they are part of the patient's care plan and behaviour intervention plan
• Support Adaptive Care Planning

Here's What You'll Need

• Completion of Developmental Service Worker Diploma
• First Aid / CPR
• Minimum one-year related experience working with children/youth with IDD/ASD, hospital experience preferred
• Training in behavior science preferred (I.e., RBT, college diploma in behaviour science)
• Training in de-escalation (I.e., CPI, safe management etc.)
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (I.e., word, excel)
• Proficient verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills are required
• Able to lift 25 pounds; assume and maintain a variety of postures (kneeling, squatting, sitting, standing) for extended periods
• Knowledge of social stories, visuals schedules, token systems preferred
• Flexible and adaptive to fast paced environments
• Demonstrated commitment and actions in advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion objectives

Here**'s What You'**ll Love

• This position is eligible for employee benefits coverage. The full benefits package will be discussed at the time of offer.
• A focus on employee wellness with our new Staff Health and Well-being Strategy. Self-care helps us support others.
• A hospital that welcomes and focuses on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
• The opportunity to make an impact. Regardless of your role or professional interest, you will be making a difference at SickKids and contributing to our vision of Healthier Children. A Better World.
• For more on why you'll love working at SickKids, visit our careers site.

Employment Type:

• Temporary full-time, 1 year contract with possibility of extension
• 37.5 hours per week
• Mix of weekday mornings, days, afternoons with some weekend requirements

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.