Social Worker, Palliative Care

UHN is Canada's No. 1 hospital and the world's No. 1 publicly funded hospital. With 10 sites and more than 44,000 TeamUHN members. UHN consists of Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, The Michener Institute of Education and West Park Healthcare Centre. As Canada's top research hospital, the scope of biomedical research and complexity of cases at UHN have made it a national and international source for discovery, education and patient care. UHN has the largest hospital-based research program in Canada, with major research in neurosciences, cardiology, transplantation, oncology, surgical innovation, infectious diseases, genomic medicine and rehabilitation medicine. UHN is a research hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto.

UHN's vision is to build A Healthier World and its only because of the talented and dedicated people who work here that we are continually bringing that vision closer to reality.

www.uhn.ca

UHN is Canada's No. 1 hospital and the world's No. 1 publicly funded hospital. With 10 sites and more than 44,000 TeamUHN members. UHN consists of Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, The Michener Institute of Education and West Park Healthcare Centre. As Canada's top research hospital, the scope of biomedical research and complexity of cases at UHN have made it a national and international source for discovery, education and patient care. UHN has the largest hospital-based research program in Canada, with major research in neurosciences, cardiology, transplantation, oncology, surgical innovation, infectious diseases, genomic medicine and rehabilitation medicine. UHN is a research hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto.

UHN's vision is to build A Healthier World and its only because of the talented and dedicated people who work here that we are continually bringing that vision closer to reality.

www.uhn.ca

Union: Non-Union
Site: Toronto Western Hospital
Department: Department of Supportive Care
Reports to: Manager, Supportive Care
Grade: D0:08
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Salary: $42.21 - $52.76 per hour - Commensurate with experience and consistent with UHN compensation policy
Status: Temporary Full Time ( October 2026 )
Closing Date: January 29, 2025

DUTIES:

The Department of Supportive Care at the University Health Network was developed to provide care for the whole person at all stages of illness. Our team of experts work with patients and families to help improve their personal well-being and quality of life. This includes psychological treatment, supportive and palliative care, and rehabilitation services. We are currently seeking a social worker to join the inpatient Palliative Care team at the Toronto Western Hospital.

The primary responsibilities of the Social Worker include:

• conducting comprehensive psychosocial assessments to promote early identification of unmet palliative care needs, which requires a strong and consistent communication with the inpatient unit social workers;
• engaging in advance care planning including identification and documentation of substitute decision makers;
• coordinating and facilitating family meetings;
• implementing an intervention plan with patients, family members, and the inter-disciplinary team for the purpose of facilitating comprehensive holistic care;
• reassessing and modifying the intervention plan as required;
• liaising with appropriate community agencies including palliative care supports in the community;
• assessing financial need for relevant caregiver benefits and income supports;
• addressing palliative care related disposition planning either for discharge to the community with relevant supports, or for transfer to appropriate palliative care facility;
• providing grief and bereavement support or connecting patients to community-based grief and bereavement supports where appropriate.

The social worker will help support patients consulted to the inpatient palliative care service at TWH and will attend unit based and program-based rounds to help identify and implement palliative care recommendations. This position includes teaching opportunities in order to help build primary- and specialist- palliative care capacity across the organization and beyond. Protected time for education-related activities will be provided. This role requires performing activities required for the effective and efficient operation/maintenance of Social Work within the Department of Supportive Care and performing other duties consistent with the job classification, as required.

• Completion of a Masters Degree in Social Work (M.S.W.)
• Membership in the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW)
• Three (3) years related experience
• Demonstrated mature interpersonal skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent problem solving, organizational and time management skills
• Knowledge of policies, legislation, programs and issues related to social assistance institutions and services
• Computer proficiency required (Microsoft Office Applications)
• Experience working with a multi-disciplinary team in a health care setting required
• Experience in an acute care setting with inpatients and outpatients required
• Knowledge, comfort and experience coordinating palliative discharges required
• Experience with serious illness including malignant and non-malignant illnesses preferred
• Experience working with patients and families throughout the trajectory of care from diagnosis through to palliation an asset
• Experience providing grief and bereavement support preferred
• Experience and knowledge of palliative care resources in the community
• Experience teaching and/or contributing to curriculum design an asset

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.

All applications must be submitted before the posting close date.

UHN uses email to communicate with selected candidates. Please ensure you check your email regularly.

Please be advised that a Criminal Record Check may be required of the successful candidate. Should it be determined that any information provided by a candidate be misleading, inaccurate or incorrect, UHN reserves the right to discontinue with the consideration of their application.

UHN is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive recruitment process and workplace. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their requirements known.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.