Crisis Specialist (2024-323-CC)

Employment Type : Permanent full-time, Bargaining Unit (1 Vacancy)

Work Hours : 37.5 hours / week, Monday Friday, 9am 5pm and up to 3 weekend / holiday shifts per month (earning lieu days)

Work Setting :

Salary : Onsite - Limited opportunities to work remotely

External J8 : $66,693.11

Internal J7 : $68,054.19

Application Deadline : August 16th, 2024, by 11 : 59 pm

Competition : (2024-323-CC) Crisis Specialist

Program Overview Crisis Outreach Service for Seniors, Community Care

This position works on behalf of WoodGreen in an inter-agency, multi-disciplinary Crisis Outreach Service for Seniors (COSS) serving seniors with physical, cognitive, mental health, and other concerns causing them to be in crisis.

This service is offered through a partnership between WoodGreen, St. Michaels Homes, South Riverdale Community Health Centre, Reconnect Community Health Services, and LOFT Community Services with the goal of ensuring a continuum of care for seniors with cognitive, mental health, and substance use issues.

What You Will Do

• Participate in crisis shifts; visit clients in their homes or community locations with a partner.
• Perform psychosocial and geriatric assessments.
• Provide short-term intensive case management services to a caseload of seniors with mental health and substance use issues, including ongoing assessment, service navigation, and care coordination.
• Provide assessment of risk in crisis situations, consult and devise an intervention and action plan.
• Provide service / care coordination, system navigation, short and long-term planning, and follow-up support.
• In collaboration with clients, develop and implement a care plan to address their priority and emerging needs.
• Provide supportive counseling to seniors and older adults utilizing a wide range of therapeutic approaches that best meet the clients’ needs and circumstances.
• Participate in case conferences and clinical meetings in order to ensure the coordination of services and a continuum of care.
• Provide advocacy support and advocate with clients and / or their family or caregivers.
• Work closely with hospitals and other referral sources to support clients and facilitate smooth transitions between hospitals, other institutions, and community.
• Provide service that is responsive, as well as culturally and linguistically sensitive.
• Engage in ongoing outreach to ensure access to the program.
• Maintain and develop contacts with other seniors’ groups and community agencies, and attend external meetings as recommended by the supervisor or manager.
• Keep current about the range of services available in other agencies.
• Provide mentorship, training, and / or supervision to student placements and volunteers.
• Work flexible hours based on the needs of the clients, their caregivers, and the service.
• Promote the healthy functioning of the team and unit and participate in meetings regularly.
• Participate in ongoing training and education.
• Participate in supervision sessions and annual performance appraisals with the program supervisor / manager.
• Maintain appropriate records and documentation in a timely manner and collect statistical data required for the accountability of the program.
• Ensure the anti-racism objectives and community development principles of the organization are achieved within the program.

What You Bring to the Team

• Masters of Social Work or post-graduate degree in relevant field MSW or Post-Graduate degree in a related area with 2+ years of extensive crisis / complex seniors experience or BSW with 5+ years of extensive crisis / complex / seniors’ experience.
• Registration in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers or another relevant regulatory body in Ontario (e.g. CPRO or COTO).
• Requires related experience in crisis support and demonstrated experience working with complex seniors.

What Will Set You Apart

• Experience in crisis support / intervention.
• Ability to support older adults and senior populations including individuals who have significant mental health and / or addiction issues, history of trauma, violence / abuse, dementia, cognitive impairments, responsive behaviors, chronic physical health issues, etc.
• Skills in case management, system navigation, service planning, implementation, and coordination, therapeutic or supportive counseling.
• Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team and in collaboration with community professionals.
• Knowledge of theories of addiction, evidence-based treatment models, best practice approaches, and a brief therapy modality, such as Narrative, Solution-Focused, Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Trauma-Informed approaches, Gentle Persuasive Approach, PIECES, Problem Solving Technique (PST), etc.
• Thorough knowledge of issues affecting older adults and geriatric populations and an understanding of mental health, addictions, health sector, and community resources.
• Strong assessment, clinical, and intervention skills, working from a client-centered approach.
• Effective oral, written communication, documentation, interpersonal, time management, and organizational skills.
• Practice anti-oppression, anti-racism, trauma-informed and harm reduction principles.
• Ability to be self-directed, independent, flexible, and exercise good judgment.
• Ability to minimize barriers through service delivery for low-income individuals with mental health and substance use issues.
• Knowledge of issues affecting marginalized communities, policies, legislation, programs, and other issues related to scope of practice and social determinants of health.
• Applied computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Internet) and ability to use client information systems.
• Ability to communicate in a second language is a strong asset.

WoodGreen is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free selection process and work environment.

If contacted in relation to an employment opportunity, please advise our People & Culture representatives at careers@woodgreen.

org of the accommodation measures required. Information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially.

J-18808-Ljbffr