Social Worker

The posting is for a current Full-Time vacancy.

Please send your cover letter and resume to Human Resources by applying on the Indeed job page.

Pay:

• $43.13 - $45.76/hr

Schedule: (in 7.5 hour shifts 8:30am-4:30pm, Monday through Friday)

Location:

• In-person - 16 West St. Port Carling, ON
• Some remote work in the community of South and West Muskoka

Benefits* (100% employer-paid premiums!):

• Company events
• Dental care
• Discounted or free food
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision care
• Wellness program

*FT perm get full benefits, PT perm get HSA + EAP, casual perm and contract get EAP*

INTRODUCTION

Hospice Muskoka is committed to providing palliative and end-of-life care to people and their loved ones throughout south and west Muskoka.  Hospice Muskoka is a not-for-profit organization that delivers services through registered professional staff and dedicated volunteer supports. Hospice Muskoka operates Andy’s House, which provides end-of-life and respite beds for people with a palliative diagnosis. Hospice Muskoka is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and funded through a combination of funds from the Ministry of Health and donations from the public.

PURPOSE

The Social Worker provides essential emotional and practical support to residents/patients and their families facing palliative care planning, ensuring compassionate care and coordination among the interdisciplinary team. The social worker plays a critical role in enhancing the quality of life for residents/patients and their families by providing essential emotional, social, and practical aspects of the palliative approach to care. The social worker collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to develop a high quality, compassionate, and responsive care plan for patients, residents and their loved ones. The social worker ensures compliance with applicable policies, accreditation standards, and privacy legislation.

POSITION OVERVIEW

• Acts in the role of Social Worker within Andy’s House and in the community of South and West Muskoka to ensure all counselling services are being delivered in accordance with standards of practice, accreditation standards for a hospice, and the appropriate regulatory and legislative requirements.
• Performs person-centered psychosocial assessment using appropriate evidence-based tools and models (i.e. Irish Model) on clients and residents.
• Collaborates with the client and family/caregiver, and the health care team in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the plan of care.
• Provides leadership and mentorship to staff and volunteers to enhance their knowledge, assessment skills, and ability to care for residents at end-of-life.
• Leads and collaborates in research, education, and evidence-based practice initiatives to optimize the resident’s and their family/caregiver experience.
• Works in the domains of issues associated with illness and bereavement (i.e. social aspects of care, functioning, grief and bereavement, etc.)

Direct Care to Andy’s House Residents

• Provides social and emotional support to palliative clients and their families/caregivers.
• Assists, supports, guides, and provides consultation to the interdisciplinary team members regarding challenging situations regarding social aspects of care.
• Accepts referrals from interdisciplinary team members for the purposes of complex Grief and Bereavement associated with the death of a resident/patient.
• Provides recommendations and resources to other community services (i.e. food, housing, financial, etc.) for residents and their family members.
• In collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, identifies residents’ family members who are at risk for complex bereavement and provide appropriate resources and support.

Direct Care to Community Clients

• Collaborates and consults with the Community Programs Director in the planning, developing, and marketing of future programs and services to respond to identified community needs.
• Supports volunteers to facilitate the Irish Models (1 and 2) during community grief and bereavement programs.
• Works with the Volunteer Co-ordinator to ensure volunteers have a good understanding of their role and gives input on the volunteer’s yearly evaluations.
• Provides Irish Model 3 and 4 clients with one-on-one counselling; facilitates Irish Models 3 and 4 group programming within the community.
• Provides recommendations and resources to other community services for clients who are outside the scope of hospice social work (i.e. those with clinical mental health disorders).
• Collaborates with local schools and facilitates grief programming for elementary and high school-aged students according to Trillium Lakeland District School Board and Hospice Muskoka’s Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Teaching and Coaching

• Provides formal and informal teaching and coaching to the interdisciplinary team members by integrating best practices. Serves as a resource person and educator for mental wellness.
• Precepts social worker students interested in specializing in palliative care.
• Participates in identifying, analyzing, and interpreting trends in client care to determine priorities for educational programming.

Information Quality Assurance

• Engages in evidence-informed practice by critically appraising and applying relevant research, and theory in providing health-care services.
• Participates in continuing education to maintain current knowledge and practice in palliative care.
• Receives external supervision from a registered, qualified professional in the field of mental health as per the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSS).

QUALIFICATIONS

Education (degree/diploma/certifications)

• A completed bachelor's degree in social work or related field is required.
• Completion of a Master’s Degree in Social Work is preferred.
• Registered Social Worker in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSS) is required.
• Palliative, End-of-Life care, Advanced Care planning as well as Grief and Bereavement education is preferred.
• Specialized Pediatric Palliative Grief and Bereavement Training is preferred.
• Training in additional therapeutic modalities (i.e. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectic Behavioural Training, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, etc.) is preferred.

Experience

• Two to three (2-3) years’ clinical experience in a healthcare setting is required.
• Has experience working with a variety of client demographics (i.e. age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, marginalized groups, etc.) is required.
• Experience with grief and bereavement in a rural setting is considered an asset.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong understanding of hospice palliative care philosophy.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Willingness and ability to work flexible hours on occasion.
• Proficiency in database systems and Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with demonstrated empathy and professionalism.
• Ability to analyze data, track metrics, and produce meaningful reports to inform program improvements.
• Demonstrated organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative interdisciplinary team.
• Strong knowledge of and adherence to PHIPA (Personal Health Information Protection Act) standards.
• Strong clinical assessment and counselling skills including crisis intervention and grief support.
• Conflict resolution and mediation abilities to navigate family dynamics and complex care decisions.
• Cultural humility and inclusivity in providing care to diverse populations.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a team-based model of care.
• Strong organization and documentation skills including proficiency in Electronic Medical Record Systems (EMR).
• Capacity to manage emotional labour and maintain professional and therapeutic boundaries.

General

• A valid Class "G" Drivers Licence and a vehicle available for use on Hospice business to commute in and around South and West Muskoka.
• A clean Criminal Records check with Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC).
• Is fully vaccinated against/immune to Tuberculosis (two-step Tuberculin testing only), Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B, Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis (whooping cough), Influenza, and COVID-19.
• Has current mask-fit testing done or is willing to complete upon hire.

Disclaimer: In keeping with mental health reform, best practices, funding and direction this position may later require knowledge, skills, abilities and working conditions not noted here.

• To request this posting in an alternate format or to request accommodation in the application process, email HR@hospicemuskoka.com

Hospice Muskoka supports and promotes diversity in the workplace. We welcome all applicants including women, aboriginal people, people with disabilities, and members of the 2SLGBTQ+, visible minority, and immigrant communities to apply.

While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: $43.13-$45.76 per hour

Expected hours: 37.5 per week

Benefits:

• Company events
• Dental care
• Discounted or free food
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• On-site parking
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision care
• Wellness program

Application question(s):

• Are you legally authorized to work in Canada?
• Are you able to commute to Port Carling for work on a daily basis?
• Do you have a completed bachelor's degree in social work or related field?
• Do you have a completed (or are you working towards a) Master’s Degree in Social Work?
• Are you a Registered Social Worker in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSS)?
• Do you have experience working with a variety of client demographics (i.e. age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, marginalized groups, etc.)? Elaborate.
• What is your Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSS) registration number?

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree (required)

Experience:

• clinical work in a healthcare setting : 3 years (required)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 2025-08-14