Social Worker (BSW)

Detailed Overview

Reporting to the Manager, Health Services and the Professional Practice chief for Social Work, provides psychosocial / emotional assessment and therapeutic clinical counselling services to clients (patients, residents, families, community clients) in the assigned clinical areas by using a variety of modalities and in accordance with professional standards and clinical policies and practices.

Participates on the interdisciplinary team in care planning, discharge planning and resource linkage, from a Social Work perspective.

Participates as a member of local committees and planning bodies as assigned. Provides education and consultation to clients / interdisciplinary team regarding psychosocial / emotional aspects of illness / injury / disease / health and Social Work practice.

Responsibilities Conducts psychosocial / emotional assessments of clients by methods such as focused interviews, collection of relevant data, interpretation of data within the context of the client system, using a variety of modalities and in accordance with professional standards and clinical policies and practices.

Provides basic therapeutic clinical counselling services to clients, based on a psychosocial assessment by methods such as identifying areas of client / system strength and challenge in addressing the psychosocial / emotional components of illness, injury and disease and by providing interventions which promote improved psychosocial / emotional wellbeing.

Provides a plan of care that will include the goals of treatment, timelines and indicators of successful treatment. Educates and provides consultation to clients and healthcare professionals on issues related to Social Work practice and area of clinical specialty;

provides information in such areas as : high risk factors, recovery and current community practice relevant to the assigned clinical specialty area in the fields of adaptation to illness and disability, trauma, bereavement, critical incident stress management, relevant legislation, chemical dependency and community living and support services.

Maintains client records by methods such as documenting client assessments, charting client information, preparing progress notes and reports in accordance with established professional / organizational standards, policies and procedures.

• Provides input to the interdisciplinary team in client care planning and discharge planning by methods such as interviewing the client to assess and determine care plan and type of service required and articulating analysis and decision to members of the interdisciplinary team;
• participates in team meetings focused on care planning / discharge planning and participates in the responsibility of ensuring that these meetings take place in a timely manner;

collaborates with clients and community service partners as needed in the activity of care and discharge planning. Communicates with community health and social agencies including government Ministries, Homehealth personnel and family physicians by performing duties such as collaborating in the assessment and management of individuals at risk, making referrals to appropriate resources when longer term treatment or follow-up is required and exchanging relevant information.

Acts as a resource to clients by performing duties such as providing information regarding community resources and access to these resources, suggesting contacts to facilitate optimal planning, arranging referrals and facilitating the development of community resources to support the health of families.

Participates in ongoing quality improvement by methods such as participating as a member of local committees and planning bodies, engaging in program / practice evaluation, identifying opportunities for change, assessing available resources and / or gaps in service, initiating solutions, analyzing outcomes and identifying areas for improved efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery.

Maintains a variety of records such as workload statistics, by methods such as recording information into approved formats, submitting data to appropriate staff and providing input to supervisor on data trends and possible methods of improving data collection and record formats.

Maintains broad development in the Social Work profession by methods such as reviewing literature in the assigned clinical specialty area, consulting with clinical and community experts within the field, evaluating clinical practice and participating in professional development activities in order to improve care through new practices.

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. Skills and Abilities Knowledge and understanding of psychosocial / emotional issues related to illness / injury / disease, and current Social Work treatment modalities used to ameliorate these issues to promote healing.

Knowledge of counselling skills, including brief solution focused therapeutic (individual / group); crisis intervention and resource counselling and ability to transfer this knowledge and skill to interventions with clients.

Ability to demonstrate a high level of knowledge, skill, effectiveness, self awareness and self correction in verbal communications with clients, peers, supervisors, interdisciplinary team and community agencies / service providers and in establishing a climate of trust and mutual respect.

Knowledge of the key issues and current Social Work practice in the areas of geriatrics and chronic disease management. Knowledge of legislation / acts applicable to social work in Health Care as follows : AGL, Mental Health, Child Protection, FOI, Organ donation and ability to apply the principles within as appropriate.

Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with clients, the health care team and community agency personnel.

Ability to work effectively with others, including working effectively in a multicultural environment, independently, as part of a multidisciplinary team and understanding the frameworks of other disciplines.

Ability to educate and provide consultation to clients and healthcare professionals. Ability to participate with the interdisciplinary team in care planning for the effective utilization of client / system resources.

Ability to make effective referrals, reflecting in-depth knowledge of community resources and strong collaborative skills in working with community health and social agency personnel.

Ability to organize and prioritize workload in a complex environment. Ability to operate related equipment. Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.