Social Worker, Specialized Seniors Clinic

Detailed Overview

• Reporting to the Manager, Clinical Services for administrative issues and the Chief Social Worker for clinical issues, works as a member of the interdisciplinary team to plan, organize, implement and evaluate social work services for the Senior's Clinic;
• provides geriatric social work expertise to older clients and knowledge to other staff based on current theories, concepts and principles of evidence-based practice, client-centered care and chronic disease management;
• provides care that is family centered and emphasizes the promotion, maintenance and restoration of health through counseling, education and direct care of older adults;
• participates in quality improvement activities such as providing input into program standards, procedures and protocols to ensure clinical objectives are identified and met;

participates on special and / or research projects related to older adult clients, as assigned. Responsibilities Provides social work and biopsycho-emotional and social assessments for older adults and their families who are experiencing difficulty with psycho-emotional and social issues and / or mental health conditions such as depression or dementia / cognitive impairment.

• Develops and facilitates client care plans with the interdisciplinary team and conducts interventions using a variety of modalities such as family counseling;
• monitors the effectiveness of intervention in complex psycho-emotional and social situations, including attention to issues of tolerable and intolerable risk;
• implements changes, as appropriate. Provides education and information sessions to clients, family and staff through individual and / or group sessions based on client / family interest / need using best practice and evidence-informed research;

consults with other experts and interdisciplinary team members in the evaluation of clinical practice issues. Promotes self management / self advocacy and / or acts as a client and family advocate by facilitating access to and liaising with other community services.

Prioritizes workload in accordance with the Social Work Priority Intervention Criteria; completes required reports, records and workload statistic and maintains files and records in accordance with established Fraser Health and Professional Practice procedures and standards.

Participates in quality improvement and risk management activities by evaluating clinical practice and generating recommendations for alternative approaches.

Assists in the developing and monitoring policies and procedures for the Senior'''s Clinic and provides input to the Manager on the purchase of program supplies, equipment and repairs of equipment, as needed.

Assists with the facilitation of student placements, as assigned; participates in research and special projects related to social work and geriatrics by collaborating with interdisciplinary team members, identifying practice / issues that require research, collecting and interpreting data and providing input for further analysis.

Maintains knowledge of social work practice as it relates to older adults by reviewing relevant literature, consulting with other health care professionals and attending applicable education programs / seminars;

familiarizes self with most common medical conditions / medications, as necessary in working with older adults from a holistic perspective.

Coordinates and investigates cases involving vulnerable adults as a Designated Responder under the Adult Guardianship Act.

Performs other related duties as assigned. Qualifications Education and Experience Masters of Social Work from an accredited school of Social Work.

Two years' recent related clinical experience working directly with older adults and their families in a health care setting, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

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

Skills and Abilities Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of counseling and therapy skills and clinical practice models relevant to working with older adults and clients with mental health conditions such as depression or cognitive impairment Demonstrated ability to conduct biopsycho-emotional and social assessments for the older adults and family systems Knowledge and understanding of management of complex adult guardianship cases Ability to teach and facilitate the learning of others Demonstrated ability to develop, implement, design and revise educational programs Demonstrated ability to serve as a role model exemplifying evidence-informed gerontological practices Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing Ability to work independently and as a member of an interdisciplinary team Ability to develop and maintain rapport with clients, interdisciplinary team members and other stakeholders Demonstrated ability to plan, problem solve, organize and prioritize work in a continually changing environment Knowledge of other healthcare disciplines and their role in the delivery of health services Ability to effectively deal with and maintain rapport with others internal and external to the organization Ability to operate related equipment including applicable software applications Physical ability to perform the duties of the position