Social Service Worker - Patient Flow

Quinte Health; Belleville; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare facility in Canada is seeking a Social Service Worker for Patient Flow to provide support in acute care, focusing on social determinants of health. This role involves assessing patient needs, developing care plans, and facilitating discharge through community collaboration. Candidates must be registered, possess strong communication and organizational skills, and have a minimum of 1-year experience in social work within the last three years. The position offers a dynamic environment with multidisciplinary collaboration to improve patient outcomes.

Qualifications

• Currently registered and in good standing with the College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.
• Minimum 1-year recent Social Service Worker experience in the last 3 years.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of current legislation including the Substitute Decisions Act, Health Care Consent Act, and Mental Health Act.

Responsibilities

• Provides social service work expertise to the acute care patient population.
• Assesses and develops plans to facilitate safe patient discharge.
• Maintains appropriate written/electronic records and required statistics on assigned patients.

Skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Registration with the College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers

Job description

Position Summary

The Social Service Worker - Patient Flow provides specialized social service work support to acute care patients, focusing on the social determinants of health and well‑being. This role involves assessing patient needs, developing care plans, and facilitating discharge through collaboration with community services. The position addresses complex psychosocial issues affecting patients and families, coordinates with multidisciplinary teams, and leads patient conferences when necessary. Responsibilities include maintaining detailed patient records, advising staff on social work services, participating in unit rounds, audits, and contributing to research projects. The role requires confidentiality, strong communication skills, and a commitment to enhancing patient care and outcomes.

Requirements

• Currently registered and in good standing with the College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of current legislation including the Substitute Decisions Act, Health Care Consent Act, Mental Health Act and Public Hospitals Act.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Community Agencies, Long Term Care and other health and social services agencies and resources.
• Minimum 1-year recent Social Service Worker experience in the last 3 years.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.

Duties

• Provides social service work expertise to the acute care patient population addressing the social determinants of health and well‑being.
• Assesses and develops plans to facilitate safe patient discharge i.e. pairing needs with community services.
• Assists clients in dealing with personal and social problems by delivering counseling, community services and social support programs.
• Addresses patient and family psychosocial issues, and develops an individualized plan of care with particular attention to complex discharge planning issues.
• Collaborates with a multidisciplinary team in acute care and appropriate community agencies.
• Maintains patient/family confidentiality.
• Advises other staff members regarding social work services as required.
• Maintains appropriate written/electronic records and required statistics on assigned patients.
• Participates in unit rounds and leads patient conferences when appropriate.
• Participates in audits and other research projects, and generates research proposals and activities as required.
• Participates in staff meetings and in‑service training programs.
• Participates in face‑to‑face patient and family meetings.
• Other duties as required.

Physical Demands

Strength

• Occasionally – lifting and carrying average weight 20 pounds and max 50, pushing/pulling average 10–15 pounds and max 30 pounds, patient assist approx. 100 pounds.

Mobility

• Constantly – standing; Frequently – walking, bending/stooping; Occasionally – sitting, twisting/turning, bending, crouching/squatting, kneeling; Rarely – balancing, climbing.

Dexterity

• Frequently – forward shoulder movements, gripping/grasping, pinching, neck, elbow, shoulder, wrist and back normal range of motion; Occasionally – fine finger movements, shoulder movements (up/down); Rarely – foot action.

Equal Opportunity

We thank all interested candidates for their response, however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted. Quinte Health is an equal opportunity employer committed to meeting needs under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom and the Ontario Human Rights Code. Our Recruitment process follows the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act in order to provide a fair and equitable process for all candidates. Applicants requiring accommodation through the recruitment/interview process are encouraged to contact the Human Resources Department at 613-969-7400 x2577.