Sick Kids Hospital, the Labatt Family Heart Centre
Year 2 Practicum
September 2025- April 2026
Name of Practicum Site, Unit or Program:
The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)
Location:
555 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8
Description of the practicum site:
The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) is a Pediatric Academic Health Sciences Centre located in the downtown core of Toronto. Social workers provide clinical services to children and their families, both on an inpatient and outpatient basis. In The Labatt Family Heart Centre social work is an integral part of the Interdisciplinary Team providing clinical services to many areas of the Centre (cardiac critical care unit, cardiology ward, fetal echo clinic, outpatient clinic etc) The LFHC is one of the busiest Programs in the hospital and the demand for social work services is high, particularly with the in-patient population. The student will primarily work with the Single Ventricle patient population and their families.
Description of what the student will do in the practicum:
Psychosocial assessment at the time of a new diagnosis or unanticipated admission to the ward pre transplant assessments, crisis intervention with parental / family unit, adaptational counseling, grief counseling, bereavement follow-up, resource counseling, provision of patient / parent information, advocacy with community agencies as needed, extensive collaboration with other members of the health care team, involvement with parent support group ( single session format, run weekly) participation at Social Work staff meetings, rounds and regularly scheduled supervision would all be included in the field practice assignments.
Practicum Requirements:
(Click on all the boxes that apply.)
☒ Immunizations per PHA Guidelines
☒ N95 Respirator/Mask Fitting
☒ Covid Vaccinations
☐ Influenza Vaccination (Flu shot)
☒ Police Reference/Vulnerable Sector Check
☐ Driver’s License
☐ Use of Own Car
☐ Travel by public transportation between home visits, or satellite offices, or community meetings, etc.
☒ Comfort working with the population being served
☒ Comprehensive report writing and documentation
☐ Lived experience/Current member of the community being served
☐ Evening attendance
☐ Weekend attendance
☐ Changing shift attendance
☐ Language (specify in field below)
Other requirements:
Please select Fields(s) of Study:
(click on all boxes that apply.)
☒ Children and their Families
☐ Social Justice and Diversity
☒ Mental Health and Health
☐ Social Work in Gerontology
☐ Human Services Management & Leadership
Does your practicum require any previous experience?
No
Is this practicum in-person, remote or hybrid?
In-person only
Will this practicum involve direct work or a mix of direct and indirect
Direct as well as indirect work
Number of practicums offered:
1
Field Instructor name and credentials:
Mayola Mathew MSW, RSW
Application deadline:
April 9. 2025
Do you require a resume? Or resume and cover letter?
Resume
Accessibility Considerations:
- Will the student have access to a private space for notes or computer use? Yes
- Are there breaks between clients/patients/meetings? Yes
- Is the practicum considered fast-paced? Fast
- Is there a high noise level in the practicum? Medium
- Is the site wheelchair accessible? Yes
- What are the physical demands of the practicum? Walking between wards and units
- Are there any other accessibility considerations that potential applicants with disabilities should be aware of?
To apply for this practicum, please send a cover letter and resume to miri.ben.dat@utoronto.ca by 4 pm April 9, 2025. Applications will be sent to the site.