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, correctional, 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.
The Forensic Early Intervention Service (FEIS) works collaboratively with the Office of the Solicitor General to provide outpatient services (including assessment, consultation and discharge planning) for selected inmates at the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre (HWDC). Services will be provided for inmates on remand who are suspected of experiencing a major mental illness and who may be at risk of being unfit for trial, may need forensic mental health intervention to remain Fit to Stand Trial or are awaiting admission at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton's Forensic Psychiatry Program. Working with clients who are on remand within a correctional institution requires strong clinical engagement skills and a thorough knowledge of risk management and recovery principles. FEIS operates within the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre located at 165 Barton St., Hamilton, ON. Access to a vehicle is required as the position may require travel between the HWDC and the West 5th site.
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. Your skills include the ability to make behavioral observations, risk assessments, mental status assessments, suicide risk assessments, psycho- social interventions, documentation and ongoing communication with other team members.
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 Forensic or correctional 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 strong knowledge and ability to apply principles of risk management and crisis intervention within a forensic patient population
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of custody and caring in the clinical care of mentally disordered individuals

Skills Required