MSW-Social Worker

Home to seven regional programs and comprehensive health-care services, Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN, pronounced wren) is committed to meeting the current and emerging needs in Waterloo-Wellington and beyond. WRHN is redefining the health-care experience through collaboration and innovation, addressing barriers to access, advancing care delivery, and setting new standards in compassionate, empowered community-driven health care. At WRHN, every patient is at the centre of everything we do as we strive to improve lives, inspire healing, and build healthier, stronger communities. By listening to patients and partners, we strive to connect communities to the right care, at the right place, and at the right time.

Position Vacancy: Mental Health Eating Disorder (Pediatric)
Work Type: Temporary Full Time Approx. until June 2028

Position: Social Worker
Location: WRHN @ Midtown

Posting Period: October 15 2026 - October 22 2026

Position Summary:

This is a navigator role working with youth and their families in the prevention, management, and recovery from eating disorders. The successful candidate contributes to the program goals and objectives through the following:

• Promote collaborative, interdisciplinary practice to ensure family-centred care delivery.
• Conduct comprehensive assessments of clients and families, including psychosocial history in order to evaluate the presenting issue, determine appropriateness for service, and formulate recommendations/treatment plans.
• Establish therapeutic relationships with clients and families that foster trust, engagement, and collaboration.
• Provide evidence-based interventions to support youth and families in achieving treatment goals.
• Counsel and educate caregivers in skill development, coping strategies, and psychoeducation related to the onset and maintenance of eating disorders.
• Apply theoretical approaches to behaviour change to promote client and family self-management.
• Integrate current research and evidence into daily clinical practice and contribute to ongoing program planning, quality improvement, and content development.
• Facilitate group programming, including DBT Skills Group for Adolescents, and various caregiver groups.

Position Requirements:

• Must hold a Master’s degree in Social Work from an accredited school of social work.
• Current membership in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW); maintains professional competencies and standards.
• Minimum 2 years working with children and adolescents in an outpatient or day-treatment setting for eating disorders, or comparable mental health setting.
• Baseline knowledge and understanding of evidence-based treatment modalities for eating disorders (e.g., Family-Based Treatment, CBT-E, DBT, Adolescent-Focused Therapy). Formal training is an asset, and clinical supervision will be available to support further skill development.
• Experience delivering virtual health care.
• Demonstrated ability to engage children, adolescents, and families in treatment.
• Experience facilitating therapeutic groups.
• Knowledge of the onset and maintenance of eating disorders to provide psychoeducation to caregivers and youth.
• Knowledge of Ontario legislation relevant to minors and mental health care (e.g. Mental Health Act, Health Care Consent Act, Child and Family Services Act) required. Demonstrated ability in critical thinking, problem solving, and conflict resolution.
• Strong communication skills and leadership qualities to promote positive interdisciplinary team dynamics.
• Reflective practitioner committed to ongoing professional and self-development.
• Proficient in electronic documentation and documents accurately in a relevant and timely manner.
• Demonstrated reliability, dependability, adaptability, and a strong attendance record.

Application Instructions:

Please Note: New employees must provide documentation/proof of COVID-19 vaccination status, a 2-step TB test, as well as proof of immunity to measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox) prior to their start date at Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN). New Employees will require clearance from Employee Health, Safety and Wellness before they are able to begin any position within WRHN.

EMPLOYEES OF WRHN MIDTOWN & CHICOPEE ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATION ELECTRONICALLY USING INFOR.

Where applicable, as per the collective agreement, the internal recruitment process will be completed prior to the consideration of external applications.

WRHN is committed to fair and equitable employment and in our recruitment and selection practices. We strongly believe in inclusion and diversity within our organization, and welcome all applicants including, but not limited to racialized communities, all religions and ethnicities, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ persons, Indigenous people, and all others who may contribute to the further diversification of our Hospital community. We are committed to providing and fostering a respectful workplace for all employees, free from violence and harassment.

Accommodations are available during all stages of the recruitment process in accordance with the Human Rights Code. WRHN is committed to complying with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) to provide an inclusive, barrier free workplace. We will accommodate the accessibility needs of individuals with disabilities to support participation in all aspects of the recruitment process. Should you require this accommodation, please contact Human Resources.

International Applicants

If you are seeking employment on a temporary work or study permit we recommend reviewing work permit restrictions as it applies to healthcare organizations in Canada. Individuals holding a work or study permit seeking employment in the healthcare sector may be required to complete additional steps in the process. This may also apply to current employees seeking renewal of their work permits. It is the accountability of the applicant and/or employee to ensure they are adhering to their specific work permit restrictions.

Attention Registered Nurses: Please provide a copy of your resume when applying to the position. Applications received without this information may not be considered.