Social Worker III

The Social Worker III in the South Health Campus Emergency Department provides clinical leadership and program development to advance Alberta Health Services’ provincial priorities related to Assisted Living Alberta, patient flow, and transitions of care. This legacy part‑time position is a key leadership role supporting an initiative to strengthen and standardize the social work function within the Emergency Department. In addition to providing advanced psychosocial assessment and consultation for complex ED cases, the Social Worker III leads practice development, role clarification, and system improvement activities aimed at optimizing social work impact in emergency care. This includes identifying service gaps, developing processes and tools, supporting consistent practice expectations, and strengthening integration with community and continuing care partners. The role functions with a high degree of autonomy and responsibility, providing expert consultation to ED clinicians and leadership on complex psychosocial, ethical, and system-level issues. Particular focus is placed on older adults and individuals whose social complexity, functional decline, or caregiver needs influence admission risk and appropriateness for Assisted Living Alberta or other continuing care pathways. This position is well suited to an experienced social worker with strong leadership skills, system insight, and the ability to influence practice and change in a fast‑paced acute care environment.

As a Social Worker III, you will perform either advanced level assessment and treatment or act as a clinical lead. You will work with or within teams to provide health care services for patients with complex and multidimensional medical, psychosocial, environmental and instrumental needs. You will provide advanced clinical services, consultation to the interprofessional team and patients/families and supervision of students and team members as assigned. You may also act as a clinical lead providing leadership in the planning, development, and delivery of services in a specific area, as well as staff development, quality improvement and evaluation or research activities as identified by the needs of the service area(s).

Master's degree in Social Work. Active or eligible for registration with the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW).

Minimum five (5) years of progressive social work experience, including advanced practice in health care, acute care, or complex system environments. Demonstrated expertise in complex psychosocial assessment, crisis intervention, and consultation, including high‑risk and ethically complex situations. Experience providing clinical leadership, mentorship, or guidance to other social workers or interdisciplinary team members. Demonstrated ability to lead or contribute to program development, quality improvement, or practice standardization initiatives. Strong working knowledge of Alberta’s health system, community resources, and continuing care pathways, including Assisted Living Alberta. Ability to work independently with a high level of professional accountability and judgment. Excellent communication, facilitation, and documentation skills. Proficiency with electronic health records and clinical information systems (Connect Care/EPIC preferred).

Experience in an Emergency Department or acute care leadership role. Experience supporting system integration or change initiatives related to patient flow or care transitions. Experience working with older adults, cognitive impairment, or complex discharge planning. Familiarity with trauma‑informed and equity‑oriented practice frameworks.