Overview
We understand that a new diagnosis, illness or hospitalization can be a very stressful experience. That’s why social workers are assigned to patient care areas across the hospital.
Social workers are professionals dedicated to addressing the psychosocial needs of patients and families as part of the health-care team. Social work uses the social determinants of health (SDOH) as the framework for their practice. SDOH includes such things as social supports, employment, housing, income, gender and culture.
All of the over 100 permanently employed social workers at The Ottawa Hospital hold a master’s degree in social work from an accredited university and are registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.
We are the largest employer of social workers in health care in the Ottawa region.
Search, view and apply to social work job postings for The Ottawa Hospital and our partners.
How we help
Social workers offer a variety of services to patients, including:
- Support and resources in the event of catastrophic or chronic illness.
- Assistance coping with diagnosis, illness or hospitalization.
- Support for family members.
- Grief and loss counselling.
- Crisis intervention.
- Caregiver support.
- Facilitation of family meetings or conferences.
- Links to programs and services to address financial difficulties.
- Community resource information and referral.
- Support groups.
- Discharge planning.
You don’t need a referral from your doctor to see a social worker.
Please speak to any member of the health-care team if you feel a social worker may be able to help you.
Activities in the hospital
In addition to working directly with patients, social workers are involved in many other initiatives, such as:
- Research.
- Conference presentations and publications.
- Mentoring.
- University of Ottawa medical-student tutoring.
- Social Work Clinical Practice Awards.
- Clinical supervision.
- Social Work core competencies.
- Student supervision.
- Consent and Capacity Board of Ontario mock hearings.
Contact us
Social Work – Civic Campus
613-798-5555 ext. 16002
The Ottawa Hospital - Civic Campus
Room DM181
1053 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1Y 4E9
Social Work – General Campus
613-737-8600
The Ottawa Hospital – General Campus
Room 5002
501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6