Job Description

Job Type: Part Time Permanent

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

Reporting to the General Manager and/or designate, the Social Worker is a support and liaison to the care team including resident and family. The Social Worker is responsible for providing professional facility-wide social work services. This includes: pre-admission data collection; admission support to applicant and family; continuous support and assistance throughout the admission and \xe2\x80\x98settling-in\xe2\x80\x9d period; ongoing input to problem-solving and decision-making concerning resident issues/concerns and counselling of individuals and/or groups when necessary

The Social Worker is the primary liaison between the facility and the Continuing Care Program of the Health Authority.

Services are delivered to residents within the framework of a predominantly elderly community with diverse ethnic and cultural experiences.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Include but not limited to;

1. Responsible for pre-admission process: interviews residents/applicants; provides information, tours and support to resident and family; ensures all necessary data-bases are completed and documented on the resident healthcare record; liaises with families, Continuing Care, physicians, and community/hospital workers as necessary.

2. Provides adjustment counseling to residents and families. Arranges resident care conferences as indicated by policy and standards and as required.

3. Provides support and assistance when residents are reassessed by Continuing Care. Coordinates transfers between units as well as discharges to other facilities.

4. Provides ongoing counseling services to residents and families for any social, environmental, economic and emotional problems. Organizes and facilitates resident and family educational/ support groups. Identifies areas of need and opportunities for growth/support in residents, families and community.

5. Acts as liaison between the facility and the Continuing Care Program; communicates regularly with Priority Access; acts as advocate on behalf of any applicant whose psycho-social or religious circumstances warrant special considerations; represents the facility\xe2\x80\x99s perspectives regarding ability to care for applicants\xe2\x80\x99 particular needs; provides input to management concerning impact/implications for facility policies.

6. Provides assistance to residents regarding issues, such as correspondence, completion of forms, communication with government agencies, etc. Assists residents to utilize community resources.

7. Participates in recruitment/selection and performance management of staff. Provides guidance / direction and support to staff.

8. Coordinates Interdisciplinary Care Conferences as assigned. Works closely with the management team in problem-solving, education, etc.

9. Documents in residents\xe2\x80\x99 health records, as per established format and facility guidelines.

10. Implements and evaluates quality management programs for Social Services, in accordance with facility-wide programs. Contributes, and provides leadership as necessary, to Interdisciplinary Committees\xe2\x80\x99 quality management practices.

11. Participates in Resident Care Team problem-solving and decision-making for resident care issues, to ensure integration of Social Work services.

12. Participates with the care team in establishing service objectives and action plans and implementing policies, procedures and standards.

13. Supervises field placements of Social Work students.

14. Prepares and maintains all required statistics, records and reports.

15. Acts as liaison with community agencies and professionals regarding resident\xe2\x80\x99s needs, and interprets the facilities function to the community. Represents the facility at external meetings as appropriate. Participates in community collaborative projects.

16. Maintains level of professional knowledge/skills through review of current literature, contact with peer professionals and attendance at conferences/seminars.

17. Assumes other related duties/responsibilities as may be required.

18. Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Grade 12 education

2. Degree in Social Work from an accredited School of Social Work, including or supplemented by course-work in Gerontology.

3. One year related experience in a healthcare environment, preferably Long Term Care or Geriatrics.

4. Eligible for registration (RSW) pursuant to BC Social Workers\xe2\x80\x99 Act

5. All successful applicants must pass the vulnerable sector Criminal Record Check applicable to Provincial guidelines.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Effective communication skills, both verbally and in writing.

2. Highly-effective interpersonal skills, including strong team skills, sensitivity to the needs and feelings of the elderly, and knowledge/understanding of family dynamics.

3. Organizational abilities, to deal with changing priorities and variety of responsibilities.

4. Assessment and problem-solving approach to clinical situations.

5. Knowledge of gerontology, geriatrics and the needs of adults living with chronic illness.

6. Knowledge of relevant legislation, standards and policies.

7. Physical ability to carry out duties, including ability to manage stress and complex workload.

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