Social Worker 2 Addiction Services

Job Description

Summary

In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of Providence Health Care, the person promotes a safe, respectful, and civil working environment for patients, residents, families, visitors and staff.

Reporting to the Professional Practice Leader and under the supervision of the designated Site Leader, and working collaboratively with the other Site / Professional Practice Leaders for the interdisciplinary program team, the position works as part of an interprofessional team to provide advanced therapeutic clinical counseling, education and resource services to individuals and families with, and affected by, problematic substance use.

Formulates and implements treatment plans and provides comprehensive case consultation and follow-up support on treatment decisions in collaboration with members of the interprofessional team.

Provides leadership to the interdisciplinary team in the complex care needs in the discharge planning process and determining the effective utilization of resources, and participates in the development of community resources.

Liaises and consults as appropriate with the PHC Addiction and Mental Health teams. Participates in evaluating treatment practices and protocols within the social work team to promote excellence in social work practice.

Develops research protocols and conducts approved social work interdisciplinary research and special projects in collaboration with appropriate personnel.

Participates as a member of local, provincial / federal committees, linking the hospital program to the community support program and services.

Qualifications / Skills and Education

Education

Masters Degree in Social Work from an accredited university. Post graduate continuing education in model(s) of therapeutic intervention in addictions and mental health.

Three (3) years' recent related experience working in the areas of addiction, mental health, HIV / AIDS and complex pain or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Current full registration with the British Columbia College of Social Workers.

Skills and Abilities

Demonstrated knowledge of drug and alcohol addiction issues and related evidence-based best treatment practices.

Comprehensive knowledge of psychiatric diagnoses and professional practice guidelines for the treatment of various disorders, including complex concurrent disorders.

Demonstrated ability to communicate and work effectively with clients, families, interprofessional teams, community agency partners and academic / research institutions.

Demonstrated understanding of the social determinants of health.

Demonstrated ability to conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments that include mental health and addictions standardized frameworks and tools.

Ability to plan, implement and evaluate practice interventions based on psychosocial assessments.

Ability to make appropriate and effective referrals that reflect in-depth knowledge of community resources and strong collaborative skills in working with other community partners.

Demonstrated skills and ability to apply theory to practice in the areas of case management, resource and supportive counseling, and individual and group therapy to clients / families coping with problematic alcohol and drug use.

Knowledge of the scope of practice of other health care disciplines and the ability to work independently and collaboratively within an inter-professional team.

Ability to work effectively within a culturally diverse environment.

Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize workload in a complex and demanding environment.

Demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of regulations, policies, procedures, and other statutory duties related to relevant legislation such as the Mental Health Act, Adult Guardianship Act, and the Freedom of Information Act.

Ability to educate and provide consultation to clients, families and healthcare professionals that includes the development, coordination and delivery of in-services, presentations, and psycho-educational and support groups.

Proficiency in the use of personal computers, including related word processing and database management software applications.

Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provides advanced therapeutic clinical counseling services to clients, families and groups in designated program area by exploring problems and personal concerns, treatment objectives, and emotional responses;

facilitating change in coping style, behaviour, attitude and feelings; participating with clients, families, interdisciplinary team members and community partners to coordinate services, facilitate meetings and make referrals to appropriate resources.

Delivers and coordinates therapeutic groups for specific client populations.

Conducts comprehensive social work psychosocial assessments in designated program area using methods such as interviewing the client and / or family to obtain relevant information, gathering social data regarding the client's family, supports, environment, culture, living situation and financial status and interpreting the data to therapeutically impact the client's and family's coping abilities.

Assesses client needs and available services and develops care options with client input. Facilitates clients' utilization of appropriate community services and rehabilitative programs through methods such as researching available services, liaising with service and program providers, advocating for services, and providing advice and consultation to colleagues.

Formulates and implements care and treatment plans through methods such as negotiating a process for achieving goals, collaborating with members of the interprofessional team(s) in both inpatient and outpatient settings and evaluating goals while maintaining respect for client dignity, self-determination and independence.

Maintains client records through electronic methods such as documenting client assessments, charting client information and regular progress notes and reports in accordance with established standards, policies and procedures to meet regulatory requirements and in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act.

Provides referrals to appropriate community treatment agencies and services, including alcohol and drug treatment, recovery and residential programs, family therapy, marital counselling, victim assistance, employee assistance programs, clubhouses, transition homes, vocational programs, and other agencies.

Utilizes available community resources such as volunteers, community groups, alternate care services and other service agencies to develop supportive and rehabilitative programs for clients and their families.

Provides clinical consultation services to PHC social workers and interdisciplinary care providers and outside agencies and professionals regarding the care and management of clients in the designated program by providing recommendations, guidance and clinical direction.

Initiates the development and evaluation of drug and alcohol programs within PHC by collaborating with members of the interprofessional team, providing input and making recommendations to the Operations Leader, Program Director, and Physician Leaders as requested.

Develops and coordinates clinical teaching and fieldwork experience for Social Work students in collaboration with the teaching institutions by ensuring appropriate student placement, developing an orientation and education program for the designated program area, providing training, and evaluating student progress.

Provides post academic training to academic institutions as a guest lecturer or in sessional teaching opportunities in designated program area.

Sets measurable individual / discipline learning goals and objectives to maintain and increase knowledge of clinical and professional development in designated program area including addiction, mental health, HIV / AIDS and complex pain.

This will be achieved by reviewing literature in specialty area, consulting with clinical and community experts within the field, and participating in professional development and continuing education activities to improve care through new practices.

Engages in practice evaluation, identifies opportunities for change, assesses available resources, initiates solutions and analyzes outcomes by participating in team and / or local committees and internal and external case conferences.

Develops, coordinates and delivers education sessions, presentations to clients, families and staff in collaborations with other members of the interprofessional team.

Reviews relevant content and required handouts, conducts literature search, plans and coordinates seminars.

Collaborates with appropriate program staff and physicians in the development and delivery of staff and physician education and training related to drug and alcohol addiction.

Maintains a variety of records such as workload statistics by methods such as recording information into approved formats, collating data, analyzing trends, accounting for variances and recommending an action plan to the Professional Practice Leader, Social Work.

Develops research protocols and conducts approved social work interdisciplinary research and special projects in collaboration with appropriate personnel through methods such as identifying current trends / gaps in literature, writing research proposals / grant applications, following through with research methodology and disseminating research findings.

Ensures clinical practices and protocols are consistent with current research findings.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Vaccination Flag

As per the current Public Health Orders (Long Term Care / Seniors Assisted Living Provincial Health Order and the Health Sector Order), as of October 26, 2021, all employees working for Providence Health Care must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Proof of vaccination status will be required.