Sexual Health and Blood Borne Infections Social Worker

Overview

Sexual Health and Blood Borne Infections (SHBBI) Social Worker – Full-Time, Public Health, New Westminster, BC. The SHBBI Social Worker provides clinical and consultative case management and social work services to priority clients and families living with HIV and/or HCV. They collaborate within the Fraser Health SHBBI team to support client assessments, care planning, and health and emotional wellbeing, acting as a liaison and education resource with community agencies and Fraser Health.

The role requires applying advanced knowledge, skill and clinical experience to facilitate communication and decision making around client care.

Responsibilities

• Provides advanced psychosocial assessment, counselling, referral and advocacy for clients and families living with HIV.
• Provides crisis intervention and problem solving to support individuals with high-risk behaviours and complex biopsychosocial needs; identifies referrals and ensures follow-up to support engagement along the care continuum.
• Delivers intensive HIV case management for clients with acute complex needs; coordinates and evaluates individualized care plans.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with community social service agencies; identifies service gaps and collaborates with the STOP team to improve HIV-related services.
• Provides clinical consultation and education to the SHBBI Nursing Outreach Team on psychosocial factors affecting client care engagement.
• Maintains knowledge of system navigation and relevant legislative frameworks affecting the client population.
• Maintains and documents client referrals, assessments, progress notes and reports in compliance with standards and regulatory requirements.
• Participates in inter-professional planning and protocol development to enhance HIV-related system processes and resources.
• Collaborates with clinical and community agencies to address barriers to care and supports client engagement in HIV treatment.
• Participates in clinical case conferences, reviews referrals, and discusses transition/discharge plans with the SHBBI nursing team and other care providers.
• Provides consultative/direct services to navigate psychosocial systems (immigration, housing, financial stability, legal advocacy, mental health and addiction services) for clients and families.
• Maintains documentation and collects data for SHBBI clinical teams; contributes to program evaluation and quality improvement.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience
Bachelor's degree in Social Work from an approved school of Social Work. Two (2) years recent, related experience in a complex healthcare environment (community setting) including one (1) year working with marginalized clients with multiple health issues including HIV, mental health and substance use, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Valid B.C. driver's license and access to a personal vehicle for business-related purposes.

Skills and Abilities

• Trauma-informed practice and intervention; understanding of emotional and mental health issues related to illness, injury, and family cultural dynamics.
• Knowledge of other health disciplines and their role in HIV care within a population and public health framework.
• Experience working with priority populations SHBBI initiatives including LGBT2SQQ+, Indigenous populations, and people who use substances.
• Ability to educate and consult with clients, families and healthcare professionals; deliver in-services and psycho-education to groups.
• Leadership within an interdisciplinary team for care planning and resource utilization.
• Strong referral skills and collaboration with community resources and agencies.
• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with clinical staff and external agencies for client-centered care.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Knowledge of legislation and government policies relevant to the client population; understanding of local, regional and provincial initiatives affecting care and practice guidelines.
• Ability to conduct complex biopsychosocial assessments and apply systems theory to practice.
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written) with clients, families, team members and community agencies.
• Ability to adapt to new or unexpected events using crisis intervention and problem-solving skills; able to manage conflict effectively.
• Ability to operate related software and equipment; physical ability to perform duties.

Benefits

• Comprehensive, 100% employer-paid benefits.
• Generous vacation (up to four weeks).
• Benefit portability between HEABC employers.
• Immediate pension enrollment in a defined municipal plan.
• Maternity top-up of up to 87% during maternity leave.
• TransLink pass subsidy (50%).
• Additional employee discounts and perks; eligibility based on employment status.

About Fraser Health

Fraser Health is the health care provider for over two million people in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. We are committed to diversity, inclusion, and culturally safe practices; our workforce includes 48,000+ staff, medical staff and volunteers.

Important: Recruitment scam warning – we will never ask for money or payment or request you to download or install apps during our recruitment process. Be cautious of unverified sources.

Seniorities and employment types: Entry level | Full-time

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