DEPARTMENT: OUTPATIENT MENTAL HEALTH - CHILDREN & ADOLESCENT
HOURS OF WORK: 75 HOURS PER PAY PERIOD
POSTING DATE: 06 OCTOBER 2026
CLOSING DATE: 12 OCTOBER 2026
UNION: ONTARIO PUBLIC SERVICE EMPLOYEES UNION
WAGE RANGE: $47.05 to $60.98 PER HOUR
POSITION OBJECTIVE:
Reporting to the Clinical Manager, Outpatient Mental Health, the successful candidate will provide trauma informed crisis, short-term counselling and psychoeducation to children, youth and their families to address emotional, social and/or behavioural mental health needs. The MSW candidate will provide comprehensive brief assessment, recommendations, and coordinate with other services for children, youth and their families with the goal to overcome the immediate crisis and to establish a plan of care that includes access to ongoing services to maintain wellness. The MSW will use short-term, evidence-based interventions, create safety plans, maintain existing connections with community resources, contribute to collaborative care/treatment plans, and initiate recent referrals when needed. The position requires extensive knowledge of emergency-based services, inter-hospital transfer protocols and procedures, and internal/external referrals to specific services, as the candidate role supports both the emergency PERT team and outpatient counseling/therapy team.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Masters Degree in Social Work (MSW) required

Current registration with the College of Social Workers required with demonstrated knowledge of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers standards of practice required

A minimum of three years' mental health experience providing evidence-based crisis and therapy/treatment to complex, high risk children/youth and families in an emergency setting required

Completion of training in the following treatment modalities: Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), and Collaborative Problem Solving required

Completion of training in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) and Violence Risk Threat Assessment an asset

Demonstrated understanding of the signs and/or symptoms of various mental health illnesses as identified in the DSM-V





Demonstrated working knowledge of suicide/risk assessment using the Columbia Suicide tool and intervention skills

Sound understanding and knowledge in identifying risks, and signs, pertaining to self-injurious behaviours and trauma

Basic knowledge of pharmacological interventions used with children and youth

Demonstrated ability to develop individualized crisis/safety care plans for children/youth, and their families

Demonstrated ability to create care/treatment plans with complex children/youth and their families

Proficiency in mental health status exam, biopsychosocial assessments and formulations

Excellent capacity to work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists, nurses, and social workers

Demonstrated knowledge of, and experience, in case management with community collaborations and complex service coordinations (ie McMaster Hospital)

Excellent documentation skills as per OCSWSSW standards of practice and hospital policies and procedures

Demonstrated professionalism and communication skills

Evidence of effective organizational, interpersonal, critical thinking and decision making skills

Ability to work with minimal supervision and to provide service in a variety of settings (e.g. acute outpatient mental health setting, schools, client residence, etc.)

Understanding and knowledge of community resources in the Niagara Region and with affiliated hospital/agencies outside of the Niagara area

Current Non-Violent Crisis Intervention/SMG certification

Demonstrated knowledge of applicable legislation that relate to the client population (e.g. Health Care Consent Act, Mental Health Act, PHIPA, Child and Family Services Act, etc.)

Knowledge of and adherence to professional practice standards regarding best practice interventions, client care/service delivery as well as professional conduct (i.e. professional boundaries, confidentiality, etc.)





Understanding of diversity and its' impact on vulnerable populations and service delivery, including, but not limited to, gender and sexual identity, ethnicity, spirituality, culture

Basic computer literacy skills

Must be able to work afternoon and evening shifts

Must have a valid Ontario driver's license and maintain ability to travel in a timely manner to work locations

Consistent and regular attendance required

Questions, quoting the job posting number may be directed to [email protected]

This position is an existing vacancy at Niagara Health. No artificial intelligence is used in the screening, assessment, or selection of applicants. If you believe you have encountered or applied for a fraudulent job posting claiming to represent Niagara Health, please contact [email protected]

At Niagara Health, we value diversity, equity and inclusion, and welcome applications from all people. We are especially interested in hearing from you if you are excited about being part of a respectful and hard-working team in the beautiful Niagara Region, have a passion for service and excellence in healthcare, have a background or related expertise in the healthcare environment, supporting patient care and providing extraordinary customer-service.

In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the Ontario Human Rights Code, Niagara Health will provide accommodations through the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. If selected to participate in the recruitment and selection process, please inform Human Resources of the nature of any accommodation(s) that you may require in respect of any materials or processes used to ensure your equal participation.

At Niagara Health, we are committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion. As a part of this work, we collect information on Ontario Human Rights Code grounds and non-Code grounds in order to: hire and retain diverse talent, prevent and/or address systemic barriers to access and opportunity, improve service delivery and programs and advance diversity and inclusion overall. All identification questions are optional and include a "prefer not to answer" option.

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📌 MSW (Ontario)
🏢 Niagara Health
📍 Ontario