Social Worker

WHO ARE WE
Located in the Oakridge area of Vancouver, B.C., Louis Brier Home and Hospital is a 215-bed accredited long-term care facility situated next to the Weinberg Residence, which is home to 40 Assisted Living and 20 Multilevel Care residents.

Our Mission at Louis Brier Home and Hospital and Weinberg Residence (LBHH & WR) is to provide compassionate and person-centred care prioritizing quality, safety and innovation, guided by Jewish traditions and values.

Our Vision is to be recognized as a centre of excellence and a leader in healthcare.

Our Values – “CHAI”, Hebrew word for LIFE.

Caring

We ‘Show It.’
Health, Safety and Wellness

We ‘Do It Right.’
Accountability

We ‘Own It.’
Integrity

We ‘Do What’s Right.’

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
Reporting to the Manager, Allied Health Services, the Social Worker is responsible for providing professional social work facility-wide, including: pre-admission data collection; admission support to applicants and families; continuous support and assistance throughout the admission and ‘settling-in' period; ongoing supportive services to residents and families; and counselling of individuals and/or groups when necessary. The Social Worker oversees Person and Family Cantered-Care throughout the organization while in support of Jewish Values and Traditions.

SCOPE
The Social Worker is an integral member of the interdisciplinary team, and provides input and support to problem-solving and decision-making concerning resident issues and concerns. Social worker services are delivered to residents (and families) at Louis Brier Home and Hospital and at Weinberg Residence five days per week. Two Full-Time Social Workers provide services within the framework of an elderly, predominantly-Jewish community with diverse ethnic and cultural experiences.

RESPONSIBILITIES
- In conjunction with the Manager, Allied Health Services, the Social Worker plans, organizes, implements and evaluates Social Work services facility-wide. Assists in establishing service objectives, policies, procedures, standards and practices.
- Responsible for pre-admission process: interviews residents/applicants; provides information related to service delivery, tours and support to resident and family; ensures all necessary databases are completed and documented on the resident healthcare record; liaises with families, Continuing Care, physicians, and community/hospital workers as necessary.
- Monitors census and bed-utilization and ensures that bed-turnover is in accordance with VCH requirements.
- Provides adjustment counselling to residents and families. Assist residents and families to understand expected service delivery levels, procedures and services outlined in the Resident Handbook. Maintains the Resident Handbook accordingly.
- Provides ongoing counselling/support services to residents and families for any social, environmental, economic and emotional problems. In consultation with the Executive Director, Residential Services and Interprofessional Practice, organizes and facilitates resident and family educational and support groups (ie, family support groups, discussion sessions, etc.) and reports on the outcome. Identifies needs and opportunities for support for residents, families and the community.
- Acts as liaison between the facility and the Continuing Care Program; communicates regularly with Priority Access; acts as advocate on behalf of any applicant whose psycho-social or religious circumstances warrant special considerations; represents Louis Brier Home and Hospital perspectives regarding ability to care for applicants’ particular needs; provides input to management concerning impact/implications for LBHH of VCHA Complex Care policies.
- Provides assistance to residents regarding macro-level issues, including correspondence, completion of forms, communication with government agencies, etc. Assists residents to utilize community resources.
- Acts as the champion for Person and Family Cantered-Care throughout the organization. Promotes, facilitates and monitors Person and Family Cantered-Care initiatives across departments.
In conjunction with the Chaplain, provides education to residents, family members, and staff regarding advance care directives, healthcare decision making, and palliative care.
- Documents in residents’ health records, as per established format and facility guidelines.
- In conjunction with the Executive Director, Residential Services and Interprofessional Practice and in collaboration with Quality and Risk Management, develops, implements and evaluates quality improvement initiatives or Social Services, including the collection and analysis of data and Quality Indicators.
- Prepares and maintains all required statistics, records and reports.
- Acts as liaison with community agencies and professionals regarding the needs of LBHH applicants and residents, and interprets LBHH function to the community. Represents LBHH at external meetings as appropriate. Participates in community collaborative projects (i.e. Jewish Seniors Services).
- Ensures the safety of residents during all tasks and reports any adverse events or near-misses immediately.
- Maintains level of professional knowledge/skills through review of current literature, contact with peer professionals and attendance at conferences/seminars.
- Performs other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS
Masters or Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from an accredited university, including or supplemented by course-work in Gerontology, registration with the BC College of Social Workers, and two years or recent related experience preferably in Long Term Care or Geriatrics.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Proven effective interpersonal and counselling skills, including strong team skills, sensitivity to the
needs and feelings of the elderly.
- Proven organizational skills and the ability to set goals, prioritize work, and adapt to changing priorities.
- Demonstrated problem-solving approach to clinical situations.
- Strong computer skills.
- Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.
- Knowledge of Jewish Values and Traditions is an asset.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
The Social Worker is expected to acquire in a reasonable length of time and remain current in the following:
- Respectful Workplace
- Provincial Violence Prevention
- Infection Prevention and Control
- Provincial Code Red - Fire Safety Training
- Hand Hygiene Basics
- Privacy and Confidentiality
- WHMIS
- Occupational Health & Safety

This position requires Immunization and Tuberculosis (TB) Screening.
Hourly Range: $41.04 - $51.27
Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm