Student Placement Front Line

About the Job:

The Master of Social Work (MSW) Student Placement provides supervised clinical and community-based social work services as a member of SHIP's Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACTT). The student will gain advanced experience supporting adults living with severe and persistent mental illness, including schizophrenia spectrum disorders, bipolar disorder, and concurrent disorders.

Working within a multidisciplinary team, the student will participate in recovery-oriented, client-centred, and trauma-informed service delivery that promotes community integration, psychosocial rehabilitation, housing stability, wellness, and recovery.

This placement provides opportunities to develop advanced clinical assessment, counselling, advocacy, system navigation, crisis intervention, case management, family support, and interprofessional collaboration skills while adhering to the Ontario ACT Standards and social work professional practice standards.

Learning Opportunities

The MSW student will have opportunities to:

• Develop advanced clinical interviewing, engagement, and assessment skills.
• Learn the principles and practices of Assertive Community Treatment.
• Apply recovery-oriented and strengths-based approaches in community mental health.
• Gain experience working with individuals experiencing severe and persistent mental illness, psychosis, mood disorders, substance use challenges, and homelessness.
• Enhance knowledge of community mental health systems, housing services, income support programs, and health care resources.
• Participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning and service coordination.
• Develop skills in risk assessment, crisis intervention, and safety planning.
• Strengthen understanding of equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-oppressive practice, and culturally responsive care.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of a Registered Social Worker and in collaboration with the ACT multidisciplinary team, the student may:

Clinical Assessment and Intervention

• Conduct psychosocial assessments and contribute to comprehensive client assessments.
• Participate in recovery planning and goal setting with clients.
• Provide supportive counselling and therapeutic interventions consistent with student competencies and educational objectives.
• Assist clients in identifying strengths, needs, and recovery goals.
• Support clients in developing coping skills, wellness strategies, and community living skills.

Community-Based Service Delivery

• Accompany ACT team members on community visits, home visits, hospital visits, and outreach appointments.
• Participate in assertive engagement activities with clients who experience barriers to accessing traditional services.
• Support clients in accessing housing, income supports, health care services, and community resources.
• Assist with advocacy efforts related to social determinants of health.

Family and Social Support

• Support family engagement initiatives where appropriate and consented to by clients.
• Participate in psychoeducation and family support activities.
• Assist in strengthening clients' natural support networks and community connections.

Interdisciplinary Team Participation

• Attend daily ACT team meetings, case conferences, and treatment planning discussions.
• Collaborate with psychiatrists, nurses, occupational therapists, peer specialists, addiction specialists, vocational specialists, and other team members.
• Contribute social work perspectives to interdisciplinary care planning.

Documentation and Professional Practice

• Complete documentation in accordance with agency policies, professional standards, and privacy legislation.
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical records.
• Participate in regular supervision, reflective practice, and professional development activities.
• Demonstrate ethical practice consistent with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

Qualifications

• Current enrollment in a Master of Social Work (MSW) program from an accredited university.
• Successful completion of foundational social work coursework.
• Demonstrated interest in community mental health, psychosocial rehabilitation, recovery-oriented practice, and social justice.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, organizational, and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary environment.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed, strengths-based, anti-oppressive, and culturally responsive practice is an asset.
• Valid Ontario driver's license and access to a vehicle are required.

Learning Environment

SHIP's ACT Team provides a rich learning environment grounded in recovery, client self-determination, community integration, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Students receive regular supervision from a Registered Social Worker and are encouraged to actively participate in all aspects of ACT service delivery while working within their scope of practice and learning objectives.

Placement Objectives

By the completion of the placement, students will be expected to demonstrate growth in:

• Advanced psychosocial assessment skills
• Recovery-oriented intervention planning
• Community mental health practice
• Crisis intervention and risk assessment
• Advocacy and systems navigation
• Interprofessional collaboration
• Reflective and ethical social work practice
• Anti-oppressive and culturally responsive service delivery
• Professional leadership and clinical judgement

Ship Values: