Social Worker - RSW - Forensic OP

St. Joe's; Hamilton; Hybrid; CAD 61,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Joe's in Hamilton is seeking a Social Worker (RSW) to join the Forensic Outpatient Program. The role involves psychosocial assessments, counselling, case management and discharge planning in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team.

Qualifications include a BSW (MSW preferred), registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers, and a minimum of three years in mental health, with forensic knowledge advantageous.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s of Social Work from an accredited University required; Master’s preferred.
• Registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers required.
• Minimum 3 years experience in a mental health field; forensic experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide psychosocial assessment, counselling and case management.
• Discharge planning and service coordination to support recovery.
• Educate patients and families; collaborate with inter-professional team.

Skills

Psychosocial assessment

Counselling

Case management

Discharge planning

Team collaboration

Advocacy

Education

Bachelor’s of Social Work

Master’s of Social Work (preferred)

Tools

ADAT

Word processing

Job description

## Social Worker - RSW - Forensic OPApply: In-Person: West 5th Campus (Hamilton Mountain): Full time: Posted Today: End Date: September 25, 2026 (7 days left to apply): JR02005**Position Details****Job Number:**JR02005**Department:**Forensic Outpatient Program**This position may be scheduled at any of the following sites:**West 5th Campus (Hamilton Mountain)**Job Type:**Temporary (Fixed Term), Full time**Contract Duration: (If applicable)**6 months**Number of Positions:**1**Union:**OPSEU Local 206**Hourly Rate (Min / Max):**$44.49 - $55.08**Schedule****Work Days:**Monday to Friday**Time of Day:**Days**Shift:**Hours - 7.5 **Shift Start: (If applicable)** **Reason for Posting:**Posting is for a role with an existing vacancy**Application Dates****Opening Date:**2026-09-17**Closing Date:**2026-09-24**Job Description****Unit Profile:**The Forensic Psychiatry Program work towards restoring and maintaining the mental health and well-being of mentally disordered adult offenders while managing risk as mandated by the Criminal Code of Canada and ordered by the Ontario Review Board. This multi-disciplinary team includes nursing and allied health professionals working together to provide a wide range of assessment treatment and rehabilitation services. In this capacity the Forensic Psychiatry Program provides: clinical risk and medico-legal assessments inpatient treatments in General and Secure environments and outpatient treatment and community reintegration services/support for the Central-South region and Halton. **Position Summary:** The Social Worker - RSW provides quality social work services congruent with the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). The Registered Social Worker provides psychosocial assessment counselling/psychotherapy case management patient/family education supportive counselling discharge planning service coordination and consultation according to best practice standards in order to assist patients to achieve optimum recovery and quality of life. This includes maximizing the benefit patients and families receive from their medical treatments and transitioning to risk-reduced timely discharges. The Registered Social Worker provides leadership in high risk social situations program development advocacy and developing and maintaining strong community linkages. Registered Social Workers will also participate in mentoring community development teaching continuous quality improvement and research activities. **Qualifications:** •Bachelor’s of Social Work from an accredited University required; Master’s of Social Work from an accredited University preferred. •Registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers required. •Membership in the Ontario Association of Social Workers preferred. •Minimum 3 years experience in mental health related field preference to candidates with experience working within a hospital criminal justice and /or hosing setting; or demonstrated knowledge and experience in the forensic system Criminal Code of Canada •Maintains current working knowledge of relevant legislation including: Mental Health Act Health Care Consent Act Substitute Decisions Act Public Hospitals Act Long Term Care Act Child and Family Services Act PHIPA and Excellent Care for All Act. •Ability to work effectively in both a team environment and as an independent professional •Maintains expertise in social work and evidence-based best practices which includes: family/individual and group treatment modalities case management crisis intervention and discharge planning. •Demonstrated knowledge and experience working with mental health client populations served. •Demonstrated knowledge in application of screening tools (ie. Admission and Discharge Assessment Tool (ADAT)). •Excellent verbal and written communication skills. •Demonstrated ability to work as an effective member of an inter-professional team with exceptional interpersonal advocacy negotiation and conflict resolution skills. •Exceptional critical thinking and creative problem solving skills. •Willingness and ability to continue to improve professional competence and knowledge. •Demonstrated ability to work under pressure prioritize workload and meet deadlines. •Proficient computer skills for report writing assessments word processing workload measurement and access to information. •Valid driver’s licence access to a reliable vehicle and sufficient insurance required. **Forensic Psychiatry Program-specific Qualifications:** •Evidence of understanding of the Criminal Code of Canada as it pertains to mentally disordered individuals. •Demonstrated familiarity and understanding of Forensic specific Risk Assessment tools (i.e. HARM/AIS). •Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of custody and caring in the clinical care of mentally disordered individuals.