Social Worker (BSW), In-Patient Psychiatry

Detailed Overview

• Reporting to the Manager, Clinical Services for operational and administrative issues and coordination of program services including the development, delivery and evaluation of service outcomes;
• and to the Professional Practice Chief, Social Work for professional practice issues. Provides social work services to improve the emotional and social consequences of a health condition for the client and family;

promotes effective coping and adaptation to the problems brought on by illness; works towards optimal functioning, mastery of situations, maintenance of important social roles, functions and relationships, safe and timely discharges to home or other levels of care.

Responsibilities Identifies and engages with eligible clients utilizing a variety of social work high risk screening and case-finding techniques.

Conducts social and psychosocial assessment of patients and families and interprets the information using a variety of modalities in accordance with professional standards and clinical practice.

Provides therapeutic counseling services to clients and families experiencing a variety of circumstances relating to their illness.

Facilitates a process whereby the patient and family identify their needs for recovery, adaptation and mastery of the situation;

promotes client / family autonomy by ensuring their participation in planning and decision making and the development of problem solving abilities.

Follows up and provides ongoing monitoring of psychosocial situations for clients and evaluates their response to interventions, revising the care plan as necessary.

Provides information regarding client''s psychosocial situation as a member of the interdisciplinary team; participates in developing a comprehensive plan of care with / for the client;

collaborates and consults with other community professionals. Acts as a resource for clients and their families by providing information regarding community resources and access to these resources, facilitating referrals where appropriate, and facilitating the development of community resources by identifying services needed to support the health of families.

Helps clients explore their reactions to loss and provides counseling from a strengths perspectives to sustain client motivation and hope.

Coordinates and advocates for the client with other service providers, both internal and external to the organization, to promote maximum client social functioning.

Participates in quality improvement activities by providing input into the development, implementation and evaluation of program goals, objectives, policies and procedures.

Educates other health service providers about the psychosocial aspects of the health problem through participations at discharge planning rounds, patient and family conferences, clinical documentation and consultations.

Documents clinical interventions and participates in outcome assessments and workload measurement activities. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications Education and Experience Bachelor's degree in Social Work from an approved school of Social Work, plus two years' recent related clinical social work experience working with individuals and families with mental health and substance use issues.

Current full registration with the BC College of Social Workers. Valid BC Driver's License and access to personal vehicle for business-related purposes.

Skills and Abilities Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of counselling skills and clinical practice models as it relates to individuals, families and groups.

Demonstrated ability to conduct social and psychosocial assessments. Ability to provide leadership to the interdisciplinary team in care planning in complex client situations.

Ability to work effectively with others including working effectively in a multicultural environment. Ability to work collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary team, and understanding the scope of practice of other health care disciplines.

Ability to make effect referrals, reflecting in-depth knowledge of community resources and strong collaborative skills in working with other community agencies.

Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with clients, families, other members of the health care team and community agencies.

Demonstrated ability to effectively deal with conflict. Ability to facilitate group meetings, processes and decision making.

Ability to operate related equipment Physical ability to perform the duties of the position