Social Worker

POSITION SUMMARY

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The Social Worker, in collaboration with the client and their family, provides assessment, treatment planning, counselling, service navigation and case management services to families and individuals who are eligible for services.

The Social Worker plans, develops, organizes, implements and evaluates social services in accordance with standards, Code of Ethics and policies and procedures. As a member of a multi-disciplinary team, the Social Worker determines and coordinates client/family social, emotional and cultural needs. The Social Worker receives, investigates and resolves concerns or complaints from the client’s families and staff when required.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Overview:

Client Identification and Intake

• Receives and reviews referral information and consults with other staff/team to identify clients/families who would benefit from Social Work services and are appropriate for Social Work involvement.
• Using standard client centered interviewing practices, engages the client in a therapeutic relationship.
• Determines priority based on referral information and/or assessment.
• Conducts a risk evaluation for safety, self-harm, violence, and understanding of choices and consequences as it relates to their health.
  
  Case Management and Resource Coordination
• In consultation with the client, and as part of the initial assessment process, identifies areas where assistance will be required.
• Assist the client to access fundamental needs for housing, financial, vocational, and support resources in order to function optimally.
• Provides assistance and guidance in dealing with legal, financial, and other issues relevant to the needs of the patient/client/family.
• Establishes effective linkage to resources, agencies, and service providers to maximize functioning and improve/maintain quality of life.
• Contributes knowledge of systemic and family functioning issues to ensure that treatment planning considers the full range of intervention options.
• Supports client self-reliance and autonomy and advocates, as appropriate, on behalf of the client to obtain required services.
• When applicable, provides education and support in regard to the psychosocial impact of illness on the client and family.
• Collaborates with related health resource team members to assist with case management planning and service delivery decisions.
• Assists in promoting an understanding of the caregiver’s roles, responsibilities, limitations, and strengths.
• When applicable, assists with discharge plans as needed to facilitate the client’s transition to/from community and ensures continuity of care by preparing links to the required services and supports.
  
  Psychosocial Assessment and Consultation
• Implements a Social Work process to assist the client to identify psychosocial problem areas that are relevant for intervention to optimize recovery/wellness.
• Assesses for family and general social supports.
• Provides assessment information, clinical judgment, and treatment recommendations to other health service providers as indicated and consented to, by the client.
• Obtains relevant collateral information to support assessment and treatment planning options.
• Involves, where possible, related professional, paraprofessional, family and significant others in the assessment, implementation and evaluation of an effective plan of intervention to meet the needs of the client/family.
  
  Psychosocial (Individual, Interpersonal and Family) Counseling
• Provides brief psychosocial and adjustment counseling, utilizing recognized valid social work counseling models and methodologies.
• Identifies with the client, specific goals and plans for the improvement of psychosocial functioning.
• Utilizes family and systemic interventions, as appropriate.
• Engages the client/family in the process of problem-solving in order to have needs met and to enhance coping capacity.
• Assist clients/families to cope with emotional and practical stressors related to chronic illnesses, trauma, grief, bereavement, etc.
• With appropriate client consent and where indicated, engages families in the therapeutic process and provides brief family intervening to assist in problem resolution to enhance family relationships.
• Provides ongoing feedback to client and team members and participates in discussions related to client health status and plan of care.
• When applicable, assists clients using prevention-focused strategies in order to modify health risks/behaviours, increase motivation to enhance health and address barriers to change.
  
  Crisis Intervention
• At the point of first contact with the client/family, conducts an initial assessment to determine the immediate psychosocial needs presented.
• Using a standard crisis intervention model, provides service and implements use of appropriate resources in an effort to establish stability and restore client, family and community safety.
  
  Health Promotion and Education
• Maintains community partnerships by participating in health promotion and educational events, as appropriate.
• Provides educational presentations for the health care team and community agencies, as appropriate.
• Provides supportive or educational sessions as indicated by program requirements.
• Using community development theories, work with the health care team, community, and individuals to address gaps and engage others in reducing barriers and promoting health and wellness.
  
  Administration and Program Participation
• Documents in client health record according to required documentation standards for Social Workers and in accordance with PMH and site policies.
• Provides supervision for social work students during an approved practice placement.
• Maintains statistical data according to program and profession standards.
• Apprises Manager of potential risks or litigious situations.
• Knowledge of and complies with legislation, regulations, and standards that apply to provision of health care.
• Assists in identification of needs and service gaps in the respective program areas.
• Works autonomously and with minimal supervision to meet required qualifications.
• Prioritizes workload based on priority and using time management and organizational skills.
• Other duties as assigned.