Social Worker (BSW), Inpatient Psychiatric Unit

Detailed Overview

Reporting to the Manager, Clinical Operations for day to day operations and the delivery of social work services and accountable to the Professional Practice Chief, Social Work for professional practice issues, provides psychosocial assessment and therapeutic clinical counseling services to clients (patients / families) in psychiatry by using a variety of modalities and in accordance with professional standards and clinical policies and practices.

Participates as a member of the interdisciplinary team in care planning, discharge planning, resource linkage and education from a Social Work perspective.

Participates as a member of local committees and planning bodies as assigned. Responsibilities Conducts psychosocial assessments of clients through focused interviews, collection of relevant collateral information and interpretation of data within the context of the client system in accordance with professional standards and clinical policies and practices.

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

Accompanies and transports patients to pre-placement visits to residential facilities as required. Maintains client records by documenting client assessments, preparing progress notes, and writing reports in accordance with established professional / organizational standards, policies and procedures.

Provides supportive counseling services to clients, by methods such as identifying areas of client / system strengths and challenges, and offering interventions which promote improved psychosocial / emotional wellbeing.

Provides a plan of care which includes the goals of treatment, and makes any necessary referrals for further intervention.

As a member of an integrated, interdisciplinary team, takes a key role in planning for care during the hospital stay, and community treatment pans after discharge by methods such as interviewing the patient and / or family to assess and determine care plan and type of service required and articulating analysis and decision to members of the interdisciplinary team.

Acts as a liaison between psychiatric unit and community agencies including Mental Health, Ministry of Employment & Income Assistance, Home Health Care, Ministry of Children & Family Development, Corrections or other community services.

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

Educates and provides consultation to clients and healthcare professionals on issues related to Social Work practice in the psychiatric setting, including such areas as : high risk factors, adaptation to illness and disability, post trauma and stress management, bereavement, chemical dependency, community support services and relevant legislation.

Promotes ongoing quality improvement by participating on local committees and planning bodies, engaging in program / practice evaluation, identifying opportunities for improved effectiveness and engaging in ongoing professional development.

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

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 of Social Work from an accredited school of Social Work. One year's recent, related experience.

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 ability to conduct social and psychosocial assessments. Familiarity with DSM V criteria.

Knowledge of counseling skills, including brief solution focused therapy (individual / group); crisis intervention, motivational techniques, conflict resolution and resource counseling.

Knowledge of legislation applicable to social work in psychiatry and ability to apply the principles within the following Acts : Mental Health Act, Health Care Consent and Care Facility Admissions Act, Patients Property Act, Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, Adult Guardianship Act, Child Family and Community Service Act.

Ability to provide leadership to the interdisciplinary team in care planning in complex client situations. Ability to work effectively with others including working effectively within 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 effective referrals, reflecting in-depth knowledge of community resources and strong collaborative skills in working with other community agencies.

Ability to organize and prioritize workload in a complex environment. 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 carry out the duties of the position.