Social Worker (BSW) Temporary Part-Time – Geriatric …, Sault Ste. Marie

Sault Area Hospital is currently recruiting for a Social Worker (BSW) to join their team in the Geriatric Emergency Management (GEM) Program. This is a new role to the hospital. The Social Worker, embedded within the Geriatric Emergency Management (GEM) Program, plays a vital role in the holistic assessment and care planning of older adults in the Emergency Department (ED). The Social Worker is responsible for conducting psychosocial assessments, identifying risks and social determinants impacting care, and using validated tools to capture baseline functional status and cognitive abilities. Working collaboratively with the GEM RN and interprofessional team, the Social Worker supports the early identification of patients at risk of functional decline and provides specialized psychosocial and system navigation expertise. DUTIES: Psychosocial Assessment & Support: Conduct focused ED-based psychosocial assessments for older adults presenting to the ED. Identify social determinants of health, including housing, financial concerns, caregiver support, and access to community services. Provide emotional support to patients and families navigating acute health crises and complex decisions. Baseline Function & Care Planning: Utilize validated geriatric tools (e.g., interRAI ED Screener, Barthel Index, CPS, MoCA, Lawton IADL, etc.) to capture pre-morbid function, cognition, and mobility. Provide early psychosocial input into care planning discussions for patients requiring admission, including capacity considerations and patient-centred goals of care. Identify potential barriers to safe discharge and communicate anticipated transition needs to inpatient teams following medical stabilization. Discharge Planning & System Navigation: Collaborate with the GEM RN and broader ED care team to facilitate safe and timely discharges. Coordinate referrals to internal hospital programs, Home and Community Care, outpatient services, or community support agencies. Advocate for patients by ensuring their care needs and preferences are heard and integrated into planning. Team Collaboration & Education: Participate in interprofessional rounds, case conferences, and transition planning meetings. Educate ED staff on geriatric-specific issues including capacity, substitute decision-making, and community resources. Serve as a liaison between patients/families and hospital/community supports to ensure continuity of care. QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor of Social Work Degree required. Registration in good standing with appropriate skilled college or governing body is required. Minimum 2 years of experience in a hospital or community setting, preferably working with older adults. Experience in emergency, acute care, or geriatric care settings. Completion of geriatric specific education (i.e. geriatric learning series, common provincial orientation, NICHE, etc.) Familiarity with interRAI tools, capacity assessment procedures, and discharge planning processes. Training in motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, and/or crisis intervention. Strong clinical judgment and decision-making skills. Excellent interpersonal, communication, and conflict-resolution skills. Ability to work in a high-paced environment and manage competing priorities. Proficiency in documentation and electronic health record systems. Apply on Kit Job: kitjob.ca/job/2om1fp