Social Worker - RSW - Forensic OP

SJH St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 61,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Joseph's Health System (SJHS) Hamilton is seeking a Social Worker (RSW) for the Forensic Outpatient Program.

The role involves psychosocial assessments, counselling, case management, discharge planning, and strong collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team to support recovery and community reintegration across the Central-South region and Halton. The successful candidate will hold a BSW (MSW preferred), be registered with the OC SWSSW, and bring at least 3 years of mental health

Qualifications

• Bachelor's of Social Work from an accredited University required.
• Master's of Social Work from an accredited University preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct psychosocial assessments, counselling/psychotherapy and case management.
• Provide discharge planning, patient/family education and service coordination.
• Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team to support risk management and community reintegration.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Teamwork

Interpersonal skills

Advocacy

Critical thinking

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's of Social Work

Master's of Social Work (preferred)

Job description

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.

St. Joseph's Health System (SJHS) and its member organizations are equal opportunity employers and strives for equity, inclusiveness, and diversity in all programs, practices, facilities, and people.

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

SJHS and its member organizations are committed to a barrier-free recruitment and selection process - please inform us should accommodation be required at any point in the recruitment process ([e-mail]).

At St. Joe's Hamilton, we believe in nurturing new talent, providing an inclusive and supportive work environment with meaningful growth opportunities, and exciting benefits and rewards. Whether you're passionate about providing compassionate care or eager to gain new skills, there's a place here for you to grow, learn, and succeed!

Dignity. Respect. Service. Justice. Responsibility. Enquiry.