Social Worker - Barzakay Clinic - Regular Full Time 2025-12014

The Garry Hurvitz Brain Sciences Centre (“GHBSC”) will be a first of its kind in Canada, unifying the treatments for brain illness in a state-of-the-art collaborative space. The Yuval & Lori Barzakay Brain Health Clinic, located within the GHBSC at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, is seeking an experienced social worker specializing in the ambulatory care of patients living with neurological disorders and diseases.

Summary of Duties

The Yuval & Lori Barzakay Brain Health Clinic’s Social Worker will utilize a consultative and collaborative model of care delivery with very time limited follow up, focusing on providing expert assessments, and recommendations, and linkages to community partners for ongoing coordination of services. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to a pioneering facility dedicated to advancing brain health through integrated and innovative approaches. The duties of the SW will include but not limited to:

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments to evaluate patients’ needs, strengths and support systems to make recommendations for ongoing care.
• Educate patients and families on available community resources, treatment options, and coping strategies.
• Facilitate connections to appropriate services, including mental health support, rehabilitation programs, and social assistance, as needed.
• Offer very time limited counseling and guidance to patients experiencing adjustment difficulties, stress, or emotional challenges related to brain health conditions.
• Participate in team meetings, case discussions, and quality improvement initiatives to enhance care delivery.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary professionals, including neurologists, nurses, and occupational therapist and other specialists, to develop patient-centered care plans.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of assessments, recommendations, and interventions.
• As part of our academic health sciences centre, you will participate in quality improvement initiatives and continuing professional development activities that foster ongoing learning, professionalism, inter-professional collaboration and best practices in occupational therapy. You will be required to preceptor SW students and act as a resource on an ongoing basis, in support of Sunnybrook’s full affiliation with the University of Toronto.

Qualifications/Skills

• Master’s Degree in Social Work required
• Registered and a Member in good standing of the OCSWSSW
• Minimum two (2) years of experience working with patients with neurological disorders
• Well-developed communication, interpersonal, time management and organizational skills
• Strong Advocacy skills to support patient autonomy and self determination.
• Knowledge and skills in applying relevant theoretical frameworks in particular systems theory, crisis intervention, brief solution focused perspectives and adjustment to illness/injury
• Competency in adhering to the SW Standards of Practice at SHSC
• Strong teambuilding skills and conflict resolution skills
• Excellent assessment, interviewing and problem-solving skills
• Knowledge of the health care system, community resources and eligibility criteria for system partner facilities
• Superior ability to manage multiple tasks and set priorities in a fast-paced environment