SOCIAL WORKER SSLTC

City of Toronto • Toronto, ON

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The City’s Seniors Services and Long-Term Care Division supports Toronto seniors and residents in long-term care homes to have the healthiest, most fulfilling lives possible through exceptional care and services. Vulnerable individuals who reside in the community are supported through adult day programs, supportive housing services, tenancy support and homemakers and nurses services. CareTO is our brand for the culture change we are investing in for the City’s 10 directly operated long-term care homes. The division values Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence which shape our organizational culture, our priorities, and the experiences of all those who live, work, volunteer, and visit.
The Social Worker plays a vital role in supporting the psychosocial well-being of residents/ clients in long-term care (LTC). This role integrates advanced social work skills such as comprehensive assessments, individualized care planning, crisis intervention, advocacy, and program development. The Social Worker collaborates within an interprofessional team to deliver holistic, person-centered care that addresses the diverse needs of residents/clients and their families, ensuring alignment with the City’s values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence.
The Social Worker works directly with resident/client care and interaction in a long-term care or community care setting. The successful incumbent must be comfortable working in a team-oriented environment and capable of handling emotional and challenging situations with empathy and professionalism.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW).
• Currently registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers and be in good standing.
• Experience working with adults living with complex and/or chronic health and mental health challenges in settings such as social service organizations, long-term care, outpatient clinics, community care setting, continuing care/rehabilitation facilities, or hospitals.
• Experience conducting psychosocial assessments using various clinical assessment tools (e.g. cognitive screening tools) and creating or modifying care plans to address the needs of physically and cognitively compromised residents and their families, ensuring holistic and person-centered care.
• Experience utilizing therapeutic interventions and facilitating referrals to health and community services and community linkages to support the psychosocial needs of residents and their families.
• Advanced knowledge of human behaviour, supportive counseling, and intervention techniques.
• Ability to evaluate mental status, psychosocial needs, and abilities of individuals, developing realistic long-term and short-term plans such as intervention plans.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to prepare, document, and present case histories and care plans to families and interprofessional teams.
• Ability to deliver high levels of person-centered care & service and to work collaboratively and effectively in an interprofessional team to develop strategies for care planning.
• Familiarity with the City of Toronto Senior Services and Long-Term Care Division’s work and responsibilities and CareTO Model of Care and its implications for long-term care.
• Proven tact, discretion, and sensitivity to discuss problems/options with residents/clients and their families and maintain confidentiality.
• The ability to connect and build rapport with a diverse resident population with varied cultural, ethnic, and educational backgrounds.
• The ability to gather and compile information and data from multiple sources to identify residents’/clients’ needs.
• The ability to manage conflicting priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain adequate resident/client records.
• Ability to independently organize and carry out work assignments.
• Basic familiarity with the use of statistics in healthcare and data collection
• Knowledge of Ontario healthcare laws and regulations as they relate to long term care such as the Fixing Long Term Care Act
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as required to meet the needs of the residents/clients and their families.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) IV diagnostic classification system will be considered an asset.
• Experience in leading educational sessions in a healthcare setting to various types of healthcare professionals will be considered an asset.
• Gerontological education will be considered an asset.
• Experience in crisis intervention considered an asset.
• Master of social work (MSW) will be considered an asset.

Responsibilities

• Conducts thorough assessments of residents' psychosocial needs, including mental health, emotional well-being, cognitive function, and social support systems, demonstrating cultural responsiveness throughout the assessment process.
• Utilizes recognized clinical assessment tools as per divisional policy.
• Regularly reviews and updates assessments to reflect changes in the resident’s/client’s status and environment.
• Develops and implements personalized care plans based on comprehensive assessments and interprofessional team input, focusing on holistic and person-centered care, and demonstrating cultural competence.
• Provides therapeutic counseling and interventions to support residents’/clients' mental health, emotional adjustment, and coping strategies, tailored to individual needs and delivered through a culturally competent lens.
• Facilitates group therapy sessions and social support groups as needed, adapting approaches to meet the unique needs of the resident/client population.
• Provides immediate response to crises, including mental health emergencies, conflict resolution, and cases of abuse or neglect.
• Develops and implements crisis intervention plans, including de-escalation strategies and emergency support, prepared for both individual crises and broader community-based emergencies.
• Advocate for residents’ rights, ensuring their voices are heard in care planning and decision-making processes.
• Supports residents/clients and their families in navigating legal and ethical issues, such as informed consent, capacity assessments, and substitute decision making.
• Acts as a subject matter resource on the Health Care Consent Act (HCCA) and Substitute Decisions Act (SDA), guiding interprofessional teams in identifying and working with Substitute Decision Makers (SDMs), and supporting ethically and legally sound decision-making processes.
• Advocates for systemic improvements within the facility and the broader LTC sector, addressing social determinants of health equity and enhancing resident/client well-being.
• Supports residents/clients and families in understanding the aging process, mental health issues, and available community resources.
• Facilitates family meetings to discuss care plans, address concerns, and provide updates on residents/clients’ progress.
• Develops and delivers educational sessions on psychosocial health, aging, and coping strategies to residents/clients, families, and staff.
• Collaborates with healthcare professionals, including physicians/nurse practitioners, nurses, rehabilitation therapists, dietitian, spiritual & religious and recreation staff, to ensure a holistic approach to resident/client care.
• Participates in regular care conferences, team meetings, and case reviews, providing insights from a social work perspective to develop comprehensive resident care plans.
• Leads initiatives and training programs to enhance the capacity of the care team to deliver high-quality psychosocial care.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates psychosocial programs and services that enhance residents/clients’ quality of life, promoting holistic wellness that includes mental, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being.
• Participates in program evaluation and quality improvement initiatives related to psychosocial care and resident well-being, including audits and data collection as required.
• Builds and maintains partnerships with community organizations, service providers, and local resources to enhance support networks for residents/clients.
• Facilitates access to external resources that can support residents’/clients' well-being, linking residents/clients to community resources and support systems.
• Collaborates with the Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) to ensure the well being and rights of residents/clients who require external decision-making support.
• Coordinates with the PGT to manage residents/clients’ financial, legal, and personal affairs as necessary, ensuring all actions comply with legal requirements and ethical standards.
• Collaborates on resident/client discharge planning and transitions to other levels of care, ensuring psychosocial and emotional needs are addressed and coordinated with internal and external partners.
• May participate in home-specific operational practices (e.g., tours, admissions, or liaison roles) as required, while maintaining focus on psychosocial care planning and resident advocacy.
• Mentors and supports new staff, and students, fostering a positive learning environment that promotes professional growth and development.
• Leads training sessions, workshops, and seminars for staff on topics related to psychosocial care, mental health, and resident advocacy.
• Contributes to the development and review of policies and procedures related to resident/client care and social work practice.
• Ensures compliance with provincial legislation, organizational policies, and professional standards, identifying potential risks related to psychosocial care and implementing strategies to mitigate these risks.

Benefits

• As a condition of employment with the Seniors Services & Long-Term Care Division, selected candidates will be required to provide a satisfactory Police Reference Check (PRC) with vulnerable sector screening, tuberculosis screening and proof of immunization in accordance with the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021(O. Reg 246/22).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level