Social Worker, Renal

Detailed Overview

• Works as a member of the interdisciplinary team in the development, delivery and evaluation of clinical, consultative and therapeutic services and outcomes for renal patients for a assigned area / location;
• provides comprehensive social work, psychosocial and clinical assessments of patients / families using various assessment tools;
• provides education and clinical consultation to patients / families and other health care professionals through in-services, presentations, psycho-educational and support groups;
• initiates, develops and carries out research activities in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team. Responsibilities Provides comprehensive therapeutic counseling services such as exploring the emotional psycho-social response to identify problems, personal concerns and treatment objectives;

facilitates changes in coping style, behavior, attitude and feelings; participates with patient, families, community supports and interdisciplinary teams to coordinate service, manage cases and facilitate meetings.

Conducts comprehensive social work assessments of patients and families by interviewing the patient and / or family, obtaining relevant information, gathering social data regarding the patient and / or family and interpreting the data using a variety of modalities, in accordance with professional standards and clinical policies and practices.

Provides consultative and direct clinical services to patients, families and healthcare professionals on issues related to high risk social factors in the area of adaptation to chronic illness and self care.

• Provides leadership to the interdisciplinary team in client care planning and discharge planning from hospital stay / caseload by interviewing the client to assess and determine care plan, type of service required and follow up;
• articulates analysis and decision to members of the interdisciplinary team; participates in team meetings focused on care planning / discharge planning and takes a leadership role in ensuring that these meetings take place in a timely manner;

collaborates with clients and community service partners in the activity of care and discharge planning. Maintains patient records by documenting assessments, charting patient information, preparing progress notes and reports in accordance with established standards, policies and procedures to meet regulatory requirements and documenting for future reference.

Collaborates and provides social work leadership to the interdisciplinary team in care planning for the effective utilization of appropriate resources.

Communicates with health and social agencies by collaborating in the assessment and management of individuals at risk, making referrals to appropriate resources when longer term treatment or follow-up is required and ensures exchange of relevant information.

Provides clinical consultation and direct services to patients, families and staff regarding community resources and access to these resources;

provides in-service education such as presentations and workshops to staff and other health care professionals. Participates as a member of local committees and planning bodies by engaging in planning and development, identifying opportunities for change, assessing available resources, initiating solutions, analyzing outcomes and identifying areas for improved efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery.

Maintains a variety of records such as workload statistics by methods such as recording information into approved formats, collating data, analyzing trends, accounting for variances, preparing reports as required and recommending an action plan to the Clinical Practice Leader, Social Work and Manager as required.

Initiates, develops and carries out research activities and program planning and development relevant to the needs of the patient, families and renal program in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team by methods such as identifying current trends / gaps in literature, writing research proposals and developing and monitoring budgets;

follows through with research methodology, disseminates research findings and ensures clinical practices and protocols are consistent with research findings.

Maintains broad development in the social work profession by methods such as reviewing literature in the assigned clinical specialty area, consulting with clinical and community experts within the fields, evaluating clinical practice and participating in professional development activities in order to improve care through new practice.

Performs other related duties as assigned. Qualifications Education and Experience Master's degree in Social Work from an approved school of Social Work.

Two years' recent related clinical social work experience working with renal patients / families / clients in an acute care and / or community environment.

Current full registration with the BC College of Social Workers. Skills and Abilities Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of bio-psychosocial issues as related to chronic illnesses Comprehensive knowledge of systems theory and ability to apply theory in social work practice and assessment Demonstrated counseling skills including crisis management and adjustment counseling, therapeutic interventions, grief and loss, decision making and health transition support Ability to educate and provide consultation to patients / families and other health care professionals Ability to develop, coordinate and deliver in-services, presentations, psycho-educational ad support groups Ability to provide leadership and work effectively within a interdisciplinary team Effective verbal and written communications skills Ability to collaborate and work effectively in a diverse multi-cultural, socioeconomic, demographic and geographical environment Ability to organize and prioritize work Ability to operate related equipment, including related computer software Physical ability to perform the duties of the position