Job Number:
Job Title: Social Worker - Community Mental Health
Department: Community Mental Health
Job Type: Temporary Full Time
Action Required:
Replacing a current budgeted position
Approximate End Date: November 12, 2027
Job Category: Healthcare Professional
Union: OPSEU Paramedical
Open Positions: 1
Date Posted: October 13, 2026
Closing Date: October 20, 2026
Salary: $47.05 - $60.98/Hour
Hours of Work:
All Shifts (Days, Nights, Weekends)
Position Summary
As a member of the interprofessional team, the Social Worker within Community Mental Health provides patient-centered social work assessment, treatment, counselling, psychotherapy, case management, education, advocacy, and consultation to individuals experiencing mental health challenges. Practicing in accordance with the standards of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW), Hospital policies, and Mental Health Program procedures, the Social Worker applies advanced clinical knowledge, therapeutic skills, and professional judgement to develop and implement individualized treatment plans that support recovery, safety, and community functioning.
The Social Worker works collaboratively with patients, families, physicians, Community Support Workers, Hospital team members, and community partners to coordinate treatment and facilitate access to appropriate services and supports. The role maintains strong linkages with Hospital services, acute inpatient mental health, crisis services, primary care, and community organizations to support continuity of care and effective community-based service delivery.
Key Responsibilities
• Practices in accordance with the standards of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW), Hospital policies, Mental Health Program procedures, and applicable legislation.
• Conducts comprehensive clinical and psychosocial assessments, including intake screening, individual assessment, identification of patient strengths, needs and risks, and ongoing evaluation of treatment needs.
• Develops, implements, evaluates, and modifies individualized treatment plans in collaboration with patients, families, Community Support Workers, and members of the interprofessional team.
• Provides evidence-informed clinical interventions, including supportive counselling, individual and group psychotherapy, crisis intervention, case management, outreach, symptom monitoring, advocacy, education, and follow-up based on identified patient needs.
• Applies specialized therapeutic approaches within professional scope and competency, including cognitive behavioural, dialectical behavioural, trauma-informed, and other evidence-informed approaches to mental health treatment.
• Exercises independent clinical judgement and decision-making in the assessment of patient needs and risks, selection of appropriate interventions, and management of patient safety concerns, seeking consultation as appropriate.
• Consults and collaborates with Community Support Workers regarding treatment planning, case management needs, problem-solving, and referrals to community services and supports.
• Collaborates with physicians, psychiatrists, Hospital team members, families, community agencies, and other service providers to coordinate treatment and support continuity of care.
• Provides crisis assessment and intervention and identifies, escalates, and responds to patient safety and clinical risk concerns in accordance with professional standards and established procedures.
• Advocates for patients and supports access to appropriate healthcare, social, community, and other resources.
• Maintains proactive relationships with Hospital services, acute inpatient mental health, crisis services, primary care providers, and community organizations to facilitate appropriate access to and coordination of services.
• Documents assessments, treatment plans, interventions, patient progress, and other relevant clinical information accurately and in accordance with professional, Hospital, and program documentation requirements.
• Maintains required statistical and workload information and participates in program evaluation, quality improvement, survey, and research activities as required.
• Participates in program meetings and contributes to the review and development of policies, procedures, clinical practices, and ongoing program improvement.
• Develops and maintains areas of specialized clinical knowledge and contributes expertise, consultation, and knowledge sharing within the program.
• Provides education related to mental health, mental illness, treatment, and recovery to patients, families, Hospital team members, community partners, and other audiences as appropriate.
• Supports the clinical education, supervision, and mentorship of Social Work students and other learners as appropriate and within professional scope.
• Maintains professional competence through ongoing learning, continuing education, self-assessment, and professional development.
• Maintains knowledge of current Social Work and mental health practices and applicable legislation, including the Mental Health Act.
• Collaborates with the Community Mental Health Services Team Leader, Case Management Coordinator, Community Support Workers, Quality Experience Lead, and other team members to support patient and program needs.
• Identifies and communicates significant clinical, program, and potential risk concerns to the Program Manager or designate and contributes to appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Program Manager or designate.
Qualifications
Education
• Master's degree in Social Work is required.
• Current registration in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) is required.
• Membership with the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW) is preferred.
• Completion of post-graduate certificate in Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) or active progress towards completion, is required.
• Completion of post-graduate certificate(s) in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Trauma Informed Care, or willingness to obtain the required education/certification, is required.
• Completion of post-graduate certificate in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is considered an asset.
Experience
• Minimum of four (4) years of directly related Social Work experience providing individual, family, and/or group therapeutic interventions to individuals experience mental illness is required.
• Experience working with individuals living with serious and/or persistent mental illness is required.
• Experience providing community-based mental health services, including case management, crisis intervention, and psychosocial rehabilitation, is preferred.
• Experience utilizing evidence-informed therapeutic approaches, including cognitive behavioural therapy, and dialectical behaviour therapy is preferred.
Skills and Traits
• Must be able to meet the physical and emotional responsibilities of the role, including standing and walking for extended periods, frequent and repetitive pushing, pulling, bending, and lifting up to 50 pounds, as well as safely operating equipment.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the position, as outlined in the Physical Demands Analysis (PDA).
• Demonstrates proficiency in written and verbal communication, with strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Provides excellent customer service and contributes positively to teamwork and collaborative working relationships.
• Effectively prioritizes workload, adapts to changing priorities, and remains composed in fast-paced or stressful environments.
• Works independently with sound judgment, while remaining flexible to meet departmental and organizational needs.
• Demonstrates understanding of, and commitment to, equity, diversity, inclusion, and psychological safety.
• Upholds professionalism, ethical conduct, confidentiality, and respectful interactions.
• Models behaviour aligned with OSMH's mission, vision, and values.
• Uses required technology and digital tools effectively and demonstrates a willingness to learn new systems.
• Contributes to a culture of safety and continuous improvement by identifying risks, following safe work practices, and supporting quality initiatives.
• Demonstrates a commitment to ongoing professional and personal development through continuous learning and reflective practice.
• Maintains clinical knowledge and skills in accordance with professional standards, regulatory requirements, and evidence-informed practices.
• Maintains active registration and good standing with the appropriate regulatory college, where applicable.
• Applies critical thinking and sound clinical judgment to deliver safe, effective, and patient-centered care.
• Follows all clinical protocols, infection prevention and control practices, and safety procedures relevant to the role.
• Documents care and clinical activities accurately, clearly, and in accordance with hospital and regulatory requirements.
Other
• Demonstrates a commitment to ongoing professional and personal development through participation in continuing education and self-directed learning opportunities
Our Team Members Enjoy
• a professional practice environment
• a collaborative atmosphere with emphasis on teamwork
• wellness initiatives
• continuing education grants
• employee recognition and assistance programs
• a competitive salary and benefits package
• equal opportunities for growth and development
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