Social Worker - RSW - Forensic Psychiatry (M3)

St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Joseph’s Health System (SJHS) in Hamilton is seeking a Registered Social Worker for the Forensic Psychiatry Program. You will perform psychosocial assessments, provide counselling, and coordinate discharge planning within a multidisciplinary team.

The position is a temporary full-time role for five months, based at West 5th Campus (Hamilton Mountain), with a 7.5-hour day schedule, Monday to Friday, at an hourly rate of CAD 46.85–58.01.

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.
• One year recent related clinical experience with mental health client population preferred.
• Knowledge of Mental Health Act and related legislation.
• Ability to work in a team and independently.
• Proficient in social work assessment, discharge planning and case management.
• Experience with screening tools (ADAT) is an asset.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide psychosocial assessment, counselling/psychotherapy, and case management.
• Deliver patient/family education and supportive counselling.
• Coordinate discharge planning and service integration.
• Lead and participate in program development, advocacy, and community linkages.
• Maintain professional competence and contribute to quality improvement.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Team collaboration

Independent work

Critical thinking

Problem solving

Computer skills

Education

Bachelor’s of Social Work

Master’s of Social Work preferred

OCSWSSW registration required

OA social worker membership preferred

Tools

ADAT

Word processing

Job description

Position Details

Job Number:

JR02458

Department:

Forensic Social Work

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)

5 months

Number of Positions:

1

Union:

OPSEU Local 206

Hourly Rate (Min / Max):

$46.85 - $58.01

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:

2026-10-27

Closing Date:

2026-11-03

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 Registered Social Worker 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.
• One year recent related clinical experience with mental health client population and clinical setting preferred.
• 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.

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 foster a culture of patient and staff safety where all positions comply and work in conjunction with the Mission, Vision, and Core Values .

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]).