Case Worker

internal/external posting

job title: Case Worker

job ID #: CHCBI CW 22-1212

department: Community Health and Capacity Building Initiatives

reports to: Program Manager, Community Health

salary range: $41, 866.50 – $57,739.50 per annum

status: Permanent, Full Time

hours: 37.5 hours per week

Who we are:

Sherbourne is a leading provider of quality health care and transformative support to people who face social, economic and other systemic barriers.   Our mission is to advance the equity and quality of care and services and to improve health for underserved communities.  This is done through primary health and chronic disease services; health promotion and education; outreach and social supports; and mental health services.

Sherbourne provides innovative health care and social services to the diverse urban population of southeast Toronto.  While our doors are open to everyone, we focus on people who are homeless or under-housed, 2SLGBTQ, and newcomers to Canada.  We are funded by the Ministry of Health, Toronto Central LHIN, Ministry of Child and Youth Services, City of Toronto and many generous companies, groups and individuals.

The St. James Town Community Corner (The Corner), a multi-service, inclusive hub governed by residents and service providers, is a unique, integrated service model between 20 partner organizations. The Corner is the primary hub for Health Access St. James Town (HASJT) intake, referrals and service coordination. HASJT is a neighborhood-based client-focused model of integrated, collaborative care through inter-sectoral service coordination, service enhancement and community development. This initiative is a collaborative between 15 health and social service organizations that form the Health Access Executive Table. The above is a community centered initiative aimed to enhance interdisciplinary care including primary care, improve access to health, social and community services in St. James Town (SJT), and promote health and wellbeing in the community. Thorncliffe Neighbourhood Office and Sherbourne Health Centre co-lead this integrated service model comprising The Corner and HASJT. This model is seeking to hire a full-time case worker who will work as part of the intake, referral and service coordination team.

Working at Sherbourne

At Sherbourne Health, we care about our staff and recognize that our biggest strength is our people. We have a solid commitment to life-long learning which is demonstrated through our professional development program. We invest in collective work and staff training to improve client care. We supplement this by creating a low-barrier work environment built on equity and respect, while working together in caring, cohesive teams and providing opportunities for advancement.

we believe in work-life balance and offer:

  • A competitive salary.
  • Membership in Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP).
  • Four weeks of vacation per year (to start).
  • Four personal days per year.
  • An extended healthcare and dental package.
  • Long-term disability insurance.
  • Life insurance.
  • An employee assistance plan.
  • A generous professional development plan: up to $1300 to be used towards learning activities.
  • Six fully paid professional development days per year – related to position/responsibilities.

about the role:

The Case Worker understands the impact of the broader social determinants of health on people’s ability to attend to their health and well-being. The case worker connects with hard to reach and vulnerable individuals primarily from St. James Town to provide ongoing support to enhance clients’ independence through skill enhancement and development, by building a support network and linking clients to available community services. They work as a member of an interdisciplinary team and provide crisis intervention, case management support and supportive counseling to clients. The case worker works from a harm reduction, and anti-racism/anti-oppression framework.

day to day responsibilities:

  • Completes social assessments and histories as needed
  • Assists service users to identify and prioritize goals and areas of development that support wellness, empowerment, and autonomy
  • Collaborate with Health Access partners and other external service partners to advocate for client needs, make referrals and provide follow up to ensure that a connection has taken place
  • Work as part of the intake team and assist clients who have complex mental and physical health issues and need ongoing support services
  • Work closely with Nurse Practitioner–led Primary Health Care clinic and provide wraparound services to the clients attached to primary health care.
  • Provide coordination of care, promote and support clients’ participation and inclusion in the community
  • Provide short term supportive and crisis counseling to a broad range of individuals with mental health and substance use issues
  • Build strong partnerships with various community organizations to provide optimal harm reduction services and provide safer drug use education.
  • Record case information, complete accurately all necessary forms and produce statistical reports
  • Accompany clients to appointments as needed.
  • Maintain up to date knowledge of community resources, as well as health and social issues in the community
  • Develop and maintain cooperative relationships with partner agencies and other service providers providing programs and services for the populations served.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to a healthy and safe workplace for self and others (staff, patients, families, etc.) by taking all reasonable precautions and working in compliance with related policies, health and safety legislation and best practices
  • Participates in the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs
  • Participates actively in all relevant meetings, committees, special events, etc.
  • Conducts outreach to targeted population
  • Other duties as required

To thrive in this role, you’ll need

education/experience/skills/abilities:

  • BSW or equivalent education and experience in health/social sciences or equivalent formal training and 3 – 5 years experience working in a community health setting or equivalent blend
  • Experience working with populations facing multiple barriers to equitable care
  • 1‐3 years of experience working with newcomer and diverse populations, including 2SLGBTQ communities, and persons experiencing homelessness and who use substances
  • Analytical skills to identify and resolve problems, assess client needs, formulate recommendations, develop appropriate service contracts, and determine actions to address the needs of the client decision making skills to determine action required
  • Crisis intervention skills
  • Excellent communication skills in English, both written and verbal
  • Fluency in a second language spoken in the community is an asset
  • Excellent organizational and coordination skills to respond to fluctuating workloads and respond immediately to crises
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Understanding and experience in the harm reduction, and anti-oppression framework
  • Proficiency in the use of computers including word and data processing, designing flyers and presentation; projectors, cellphones, phones, fax machines, printers, and photocopiers
  • Cultural sensitivity and experience working with diverse communities
  • Experience working with individuals with mental health and/or addiction issues

conditions of employment:

  • Offer of employment is contingent upon satisfactory outcome of background checks i.e., professional references, education verification, criminal background check, and vulnerable sector check.
  • Understands and works within the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA), Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), the Ontario Human Rights Code and other relevant legislation.
  • Demonstrates a commitment to a healthy and safe workplace for self and others (staff, patients, families, etc.) by taking all reasonable precautions and working in compliance with SHC related policies, health and safety legislation and best practices.

working conditions:

  • The position will be located at The Corner and rotating sites in St. James Town.
  • The position will be expected to work evenings and weekend hours on a regular basis.

to apply:  Please forward a cover letter and resume quoting Job ID #CHCBI CW 22-1212 to myjob@sherbourne.on.ca by 5:00 pm on January 13,2023.

Sherbourne is dedicated to building an organization that reflects the diversity of our clients and the communities we serve. This includes diversity in languages spoken, culture, race, sexual orientation and gender identity. Requests for accommodation due to disability can be made at any stage in the recruitment process.

We thank all applicants for their interest but only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

BOLD.                  KIND.                   REAL.                   OPEN.                   WE CARE.