Social Worker

Reporting clinically to the Professional Practice Chief, SMH and administratively to the Manager, Clinical Services, works as a member of the inter-professional care team to provide therapeutic social work services to designated patients; maintains a clinical case load and conducts social work, psycho-emotional and social assessment of patients using a variety of techniques in accordance with professional standards and clinical practices; shares social work knowledge, teaches and provides education to patients, families and/or caregivers on psycho-emotional aspects of illness/injury/disease/health; provides in-services to patients, caregivers and other care providers; participates in approved research activities, in collaboration with the inter-professional team.

1. Provides therapeutic social work services to designated patients and their caregivers experiencing complex circumstances by reviewing referrals, conducting psycho-emotional and related assessments, providing recommendations on treatment planning using a variety of techniques and in accordance with professional standards, clinical policies and practices to promote improved psycho-emotional well-being, in collaboration with the inter-professional team; provides a plan of care that includes treatment goals, timelines and indicators of successful treatment.
2. Conducts patient interventions using a variety of techniques and family counseling; supports patients and their families through grief/loss, emotional stress, family role changes and other issues or transitions.
3. Collects collateral information for team assessments related to personal competency; conducts competency-based assessments and provides follow up and ongoing monitoring of complex psychosocial situations and referral services; interprets social, psychological, emotional and family problems to members of the interdisciplinary team.
4. Acts as a resource for patient-related investigations or assessments under the Adult Guardianship Act; collaborates as a member of the inter-professional care team by attending team meetings.
5. Provides consultation to patients and/or their caregivers by sharing resource information, facilitating referrals to other services and offering telephone support; facilitates the patient's utilization of appropriate community services by remaining current about other services and acts as an advocate on behalf of patients and their families.
6. Maintains patient records by documenting client assessments, charting information, preparing progress notes and reports in accordance with established professional/organizational standards, policies and procedures.
7. Participates in quality improvement initiatives by providing input into the development, implementation and evaluation of program goals, objectives, polices and procedures to ensure effective resource utilization and quality of patient care; works with the interdisciplinary team to review and evaluate direct clinical care and education provided to patients and their caregivers and provides input around changes required to improve efficiency and effectiveness of patient care and education.
8. Maintains a variety of records such as workload statistics by recording information in approved formats, submitting data to appropriate staff and providing input to the Manager, Clinical Services on data trends and methods on improving data collection and record formats.
9. Participates on planning bodies by engaging in program/practice evaluation, identifying opportunities for change, assessing available resources and/or gaps in service, initiating solutions, analyzing outcomes and recommending areas for improved efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery.
10. Attends and/or leads meetings, in-service and psychosocial educational sessions with groups such as patients, caregivers, staff and community partners by collaborating with members of the inter-professional team and present relevant content.
11. Participates in approved research activities and program planning and development relevant to the needs of the client and their caregivers, in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team by identifying trends on clinical practice, conducting literature reviews, administering surveys and collecting research data for further analysis.
12. Maintains knowledge of the social work profession by reviewing literature in the assigned clinical area, consulting with clinical and community experts within the field regarding clinical practice, evaluating clinical practice and participating in professional development activities to improve patient care; maintains clinical competency and remains current in changes/revisions/amendments to applicable federal and provincial legislation that impact client care and service delivery.
13. Participates in local, regional and external committees and working groups to strengthen services, improve professional practice and support team environment, as assigned.
14. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Bachelor's degree in Social Work from an approved school of Social Work. One (1) year recent related acute care social work experience in a complex healthcare environment, or an equivalent combination of social work education, training and experience.

Current full registration with the BC College of Social Workers.

• Knowledge and understanding of psycho-emotional and social issues related to illness/injury/disease and current social work treatments.
• Knowledge of counseling skills and clinical practice models including brief solution-focused therapeutic intervention, crisis intervention and resource counseling.
• Ability to demonstrate a high level of knowledge, skill, effectiveness, self awareness and self correction in verbal communications with patients, peers, supervisors, interdisciplinary team and community agencies/service providers.
• Knowledge of legislation/acts applicable to social work within the health care environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with patients, health care team and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively with others as part of an interdisciplinary team and understanding the frameworks of other disciplines.
• Ability to educate and provide consultation to patients and other healthcare professionals.
• Ability to organize and prioritize workload in a complex environment with changing priorities.
• Ability to operate related equipment including applicable software applications.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.