Job Description
MENTAL HEALTH SOCIAL WORKER-CLINICAL RESEARCH COORDINATOR II
Job Posting #: 922453
Union: Non-Union
Site: Toronto Rehab, University Centre
Department: Outpatient Clinics
Reports to: Manager, Program Services
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Wage range or Salary: $39.59 - $49.49 per hour: To commensurate with experience and consistent with UHN compensation policy
Status: Permanent Full-Time
Shifts: 1.00 FTE, Days
Posted Date: July 13, 2023
Closing Date: Until filled
The University Health Network, where “above all else the needs of patients come first”, encompasses Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute and the Michener Institute of Education. The breadth of research, the complexity of the cases treated, and the magnitude of its educational enterprise has made UHN a national and international resource for patient care, research and education. With a long tradition of ground breaking firsts and a purpose of “Transforming lives and communities through excellence in care, discovery and learning”, the University Health Network (UHN), Canada’s largest research teaching hospital, brings together over 16,000 employees, more than 1,200 physicians, 8,000+ students, and many volunteers. UHN is a caring, creative place where amazing people are amazing the world.
Position Summary
We are looking for a Social Worker who has a deep interest and experience in the Brain and Mental Health to join a novel, multidisciplinary clinical research program for the rehabilitation of movement disorders. We are looking for an enthusiastic, collaborative and creative individual with an interest a person-centered model. The Integrated Movement Disorders Program is a collaboration between the Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorders Centre at Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, and the Department of Psychiatry. The social worker will be a part of a multidisciplinary team and will play an integral part in continuing to build our program, with an aim to fulfill the goals and mission of our Center of Excellence through supporting the psychosocial needs of patients and families. The clinical populations of interest are movement disorders including Parkinson’s disease and related conditions, and Functional Movement Disorder. Because these are complex disorders with physical, emotional and cognitive sequelae, the team includes specialists in neurology, rehabilitation, and mental health. We have developed integrated approaches to assessment and treatment that go beyond traditional multidisciplinary models to focus on emotional and psychological health and quality of life. The model has a strong component of patient education and self-management. An essential skill set to the role is the provision of counselling and time-limited psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy. Equally important is an interest and willingness to “think outside the box” given the highly collaborative nature of the therapies we provide.
Duties:
Clinical care:
- Provide psychosocial assessments of patients and families to identify emotional, social, and environmental strengths and problems that may arise as a result of neurological illness.
- Formulate, develop, and implement a comprehensive short-term psychosocial treatment plans utilizing appropriate clinical socialwork treatments and interventions. Interventions may include crisis intervention, trauma work, as well as grief and bereavement work. Anxiety treatment skills is an asset.
- Participate in multi-disciplinary health care in clinics and provide leadership in representing clinical socialwork perspective/liaison with patient and family.
- Provide independent follow-up visits, either in person, phone or via telehealth
- Maintain a working knowledge of re levant medical/legal issues that impact on patient care, e.g., advance directives, child and elder abuse.
- Act in a leadership capacity to build a community network of trained providers.
Program coordination and development:
- We aim to recruit an individual at an earliest stage of program development (our program is 3 years old) to work closely and grow with the Clinical Leads (Neurologist, Neuropsychiatrist, Physiotherapist, and Education Lead) to continue to build and grow the program.
Education and self-management:
- Serve as a liaison with community organizations e.g. Parkinson Canada and others.
- Participate in organizing patient and care partner educational events and symposia.
- Provide training to other health care professionals. May perform these functions independently or as part of a team.
- Provide education to patients and families around issues related to adaptation to the patient's diagnosis, illness, treatment and/or life situation.
- Provide teaching and training for students, staff, and faculty from socialwork and other disciplines.
- Contribute to the academic mission of the medical center and health system by participating in academic activities such as committees, conferences, publications, teaching and research.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Completion of a Master’s Degree in Social Work required
- Registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers required
- Membership in good standing of the Ontario Association of Social Workers
- Current certification in Basic Cardiac Life Support required
- A minimum of four (4) years related clinical experience; experience working with patients with both neurological and mental health issues; exposure to chronic pain populations an asset
- Experience in research, program planning and evaluation methodology skills; exposure to Quality Improvement methodology an asset
- Experience in patient education and self-management an asset; skills in motivational interviewing an asset
- Experience in providing mental health care as these disorders frequently have significant mental health complications, including but not limited to depression and anxiety.
- Advanced training in cognitive behaviour therapy and other psychotherapy modalities is a strong asset.
- Demonstrated ability to be adaptable, build trust, provide coaching and mentorship for patients, facilitate change and continuous improvement
- Effective interpersonal skills including negotiation, conflict resolution and patient-centred care
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively in an inter-professional team
- Research experience and/or an interest in research are a strong asset.
- Someone who is motivated and interested in going beyond clinical interactions/skills and case management, and who is also quite organized, flexible, and can operate well both within a team and independently.
- A background in geriatrics, palliative care, and/or mental health conditions, or a different area of healthcare to transfer skills and experiences is an asset.
Why join UHN?
In addition to working alongside some of the most talented and inspiring healthcare professionals in the world, UHN offers a wide range of benefits, programs and perks. It is the comprehensiveness of these offerings that makes it a differentiating factor, allowing you to find value where it matters most to you, now and throughout your career at UHN.
- Competitive offer packages
- Government organization and a member of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP https://hoopp.com/)
- Close access to Transit and UHN shuttle service
- A flexible work environment
- Opportunities for development and promotions within a large organization
- Additional perks (multiple corporate discounts including: travel, restaurants, parking, phone plans, auto insurance discounts, on-site gyms, etc.)
Current UHN employees must have successfully completed their probationary period, have a good employee record along with satisfactory attendance in accordance with UHN's attendance management program, to be eligible for consideration.
Vaccines (COVID and others) are a requirement of the job unless you have an exemption on a medical ground pursuant to the Ontario Human Rights Code.
UHN is a respectful, caring, and inclusive workplace. We are committed to championing accessibility, diversity and equal opportunity. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their requirements known in advance. Any information received related to an accommodation will be addressed confidentially.
University Health Network thanks all applicants, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
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