Social Worker BSW, Tertiary Older Adult Program

Detailed Overview Reporting to the Program Coordinator and receiving Clinical Social Work support from the Clinical Chief and as a member of the interdisciplinary team, the Social Worker provides comprehensive therapeutic mental health interventions and conducts comprehensive Social Work and geriatric assessments of older adult patients', personal support systems, social history, strengths and resources from a psychosocial rehabilitation (PSR) and recovery perspective an develops relevant care plans for patients . Educates and provides support and consultation to patients, families and healthcare professionals to achieve established goals of care and assists with care transitions when discharged. As a member of the Tertiary Older Adult Acute program interdisciplinary team, the Social Worker actively promotes the philosophy of Geriatric Services while providing direct and indirect social work services to patients, families and staff. Responsibilities Provides comprehensive therapeutic mental health interventions to patients focusing on the family, social, emotional, and cultural needs of the patients; provides psycho-education to patients and their families; develops, implements, evaluates and documents psycho-social care plans including life skills training in the areas of personal life and leisure in collaboration with the patient, family and interdisciplinary team members. Assist in the development and implementation of unit social work assessments through patient and family interview and other available sources of information to determine and to describe the social and emotional factors pertinent to the patient's situation. Evaluates the need for service/intervention. Plans social work interventions that are directed at resolving patient care problems and/or achieving treatment goals, in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team. Provides social work counselling services including individual, family and resource counselling to facilitate changes in identified non-functional behaviour, attitude, feelings and/or environment. Participates by taking a lead role in the admission, discharge and transfer of patients within the Tertiary Older Adult Acute program. Determines the financial needs of patients and assists patients and families by working in coordination with community resources to meet these needs. Evaluates the effectiveness of Social Work interventions and communicates to the interdisciplinary team and the physician/psychiatrist of changes in the patients' condition; assists in the development, implementation and evaluation of patients care plan. Seeks clinical social work direction from the Chief of Social Work as necessary. Participates in interdisciplinary activities such as resident conferences and daily/weekly report meetings. Observes, identifies, assesses, and assists with managing potential emergency situations involving patients and develops short term strategies to deal with such situations. Maintains patient records by methods such as documenting patient assessments, charting patient information, preparing progress notes, discharge summary and other reports in accordance with established standards. Completes workload statistics, program records and reports for submission to Program Coordinator or Clinical Chief of Social Work as required. Develops, coordinates and delivers in-services, presentations, psycho-educational and support groups and/or training related to mental health by methods such as collaborating with team members of the interdisciplinary team, determining relevant content and required audio-visual/handout aids, conducting literature searches and planning and coordinating seminars. Participates in orientating patients, families, staff, volunteers, and students to the unit by familiarizing Participates in student education by providing guidance and input to current and potential Social Work students. Initiates, develops and carries out research activities and program planning and development relevant to the needs of the patient, families, and community in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team by methods such as identifying current trends/gaps in literature, and writing research proposals. Follows through with research methodology, disseminates research findings and ensures clinical practices and protocols are consistent with research findings. Maintains current knowledge in Social Work practice in the mental health field by methods such as reviewing literature, 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 in Social Work from an accredited School of Social Work, plus two years recent related experience within mental health older adult care. Current full registration with the BC College of Social Workers. Current CPR Level C. Valid BC Drivers License and access to personal vehicle for business use. Skills and Abilities Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of emotional issues related to older adults living with a mental illness and addictions. Comprehensive mental health intervention skills including crisis counselling, brief therapeutic interventions and group work applicable to resents and families. Knowledge of psychiatric disorders, medications and side effects. Working knowledge and application of psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery principles. Ability to make effective referrals, reflecting both in-depth knowledge of community resources and supports. Ability to educate and provide consultation to patients, families and healthcare professionals. Ability to utilize outcome measurement tools. Ability to assess situations and diffuse crisis incidents. Knowledge of relevant legislation including the Mental Health Act. Ability to initiate, develop and carry out research activities. Ability to organize work and prioritize workload. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. Physical ability to perform the duties of the position. Ability to work effectively with others in an interdisciplinary team environment. Ability to operate related equipment.