Job Description

About Us
St.Amant supports over 5,000 people in Manitoba with developmental disabilities, autism and acquired brain injury. We are a not-for-profit organization that offers a wide range of supports for adults, children and their families. Our over 2,000 staff follow a person-centred approach and adapt to the needs of each person and each family. St.Amant is guided by its core values of Collaboration, Hospitality, Excellence and Respect.
Position Summary and Scope of Service:
St.Amant's core values reflect a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. St.Amant maintains ongoing commitment to recruiting a diverse and talented workforce, which is paramount to supporting the vibrant community we serve.
The Respite Social Worker supports individuals with developmental disabilities and their families who attend the respite program. They assist with referrals to the respite program, ensuring that the respite service is an appropriate fit for the individual, and conduct individual/social/family assessments using an ecological framework and person/ family centered approach.
The Respite Social Worker assists with scheduling the stays and works collaboratively with families, the unit nurses, pharmacy and allied health professionals, to ensure rules or guidelines are followed.
Qualifications:
Educational and Professional:

• Must possess a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Degree from an accredited university
• Must be eligible for and maintain registration with the Manitoba College of Social Workers including meeting all prescribed continuing education requirements of the profession
• Minimum of two years' social work experience in the area of developmental disabilities is preferred

Clinical:

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience using a family-centered model of service provision
• Knowledge of the history of services to people with disabilities, current trends, philosophies and practices concerning their care, education and lifestyles
• Extensive knowledge and experience working with children and families and experience working in the area of developmental disabilities/mental disabilities
• Knowledge and ability to function within the legislation pertinent to practice, including CFS Act, Vulnerable Persons Legislation, and PHIA
• Expertise in conducting social/family assessments using an ecological framework and family-centered approach
• Knowledge of psychosocial and environmental factors involved in chronic disability which may impact family functioning or adjustment, and the ability to define appropriate intervention strategies
• Knowledge of child development, family relationships and dynamics
• Knowledge of Manitoba Guidelines for Identification and Reporting Abuse (CFS Act / Vulnerable Persons Living with Disabilities Act)
• Ability to prepare an intervention, contract with individuals and families, appropriately assist in goal definition, engage in problem solving processes, focus on client strengths, restructure or access appropriate supports, define time frames and plan for transition
• Ability to form appropriate professional/trust relationship with clients
• Demonstrated counseling skills including supportive, adjustment, and crisis counseling
• Ability to identify high risk situations and respond appropriately
• Working knowledge of service systems and ability to creatively access or develop informal and formal supports or resources
• Ability to document plans and interventions accurately and in a timely manner, using standardized program protocol and formats
• Ability to communicate openly and appropriately using positive interpersonal communication skills
• Knowledge of the dynamics inherent in the client-worker relationship and skillful in preparing for transition and in determining the nature of support required upon termination
• Ability to develop and conduct specialized group interventions and to document benefits and outcomes
• Ability to organize, chair and conduct meetings
• Ability to understand, support and practice interdisciplinary teamwork in order to provide services in the clinical, educational or living milieu of the person with a developmental disability
• Ability to maintain an active case-load, providing assessment, service plan development, intervention planning/implementation and service outcome evaluation.
• Ability to work within direct, mediated and consultative models of practice
• Understand own clinical limitations and seek support and consultation for clinical activities so as to do "no harm"

Personal:

• Ability to work with minimal supervision as well as a collaborative team player in a team environment
• Ability to organize and prioritize work in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to generate ideas to improve work procedures and contribute to an environment that fosters growth, development and innovation
• Superb interpersonal ability to establish and maintain positive and productive working relationships with humility and self-awareness
• Ability and willingness to give and receive honest, balanced feedback
• Demonstrates competence and character that inspires trust
• Acts with integrity and respect in all interactions
• Values and commitment to continuous self-growth and professional learning
• Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to provide education and training in public forums
• Knowledgeable of the concepts of Quality Improvement (QI) and ability to implement services consistent with these concepts in a complex environment
• Positive, energetic, self-directed and client-focused
• Ability to travel and work flexible hours as necessary
• Must possess a valid Manitoba driver's license and have access to a vehicle
• Successful completion of a satisfactory Criminal Record Check and Abuse Registry Check is required
• Ability to work in a Microsoft Office environment
• Possess emotional stability
• Project a professional image
• Possess the physical ability to perform the duties of the position

Duties and Responsibilities:
Program/Service Support
Consistent with the Mission, Philosophy and Policies of St.Amant, the Social Worker is directed toward family empowerment, is cognizant of the individual needs of each family member, and recognizes that they are part of a much broader community and social system. Quality services are evident when professional communication, timeliness, accuracy, ethical awareness / sensitivity, confidentiality are consistently demonstrated as required by legislation and program/service standards.
Duties include:

• Documents and maintains client files and provides reports in a format consistent with program protocol and timelines
• Empowers families to develop formal and informal supports to facilitate the most effective and efficient utilization of resources and to enhance coping skills; assists and enables families to develop informal support networks, circle of friends, or peer/parent networks
• Provides education or information, verbal and/or written, with respect to services and resources
• Provides counseling or refer to appropriate counseling resources if required
• Facilitates groups in response to identified need
• Coordinates / facilitates the resolution process related to family concerns or dissatisfaction and provides mediation and conciliation services
• Schedules and conducts regular reviews with the family and case managers
• Consults effectively with other supports and services to ensure coordination of planning
• Ensures clinical outcomes are monitored, documented and shared appropriately and effectively

The above information is intended to describe the general nature of this position and is not considered to be a complete statement of duties and responsibilities. Additional duties and responsibilities may be assigned provided they are consistent with the qualifications identified and fall within the parameters of this role.
St.Amant is a bilingual organization. Proficiency in both official languages (French/English) would be considered an asset.
St.Amant supports equitable employment practices and promotes an inclusive workforce representative of the people we support including diverse abilities, backgrounds, cultures, and identities. Applicants can request reasonable accommodations in all aspects of the selection and hiring process.
As a condition of employment, successful candidates will be required to provide a satisfactory Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening, Adult Abuse Registry Check, Child Abuse Registry Check and Prior Contact Check.
As a Condition of Employment, new hires must complete a series of Occupational Health checks. This includes the requirement to confirm immunization or immunity of specific communicable diseases. Successful applicants will also be required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination prior to start date.

Skills Required