Social Worker (Temporary)

Temporary Social Worker

SUMMARY

As an interdisciplinary team member, the Registered Social Worker facilitates excellence in providing person-centered care for complex care residents by providing Social Work services for residents and their families and/or primary contacts. The Social Worker shares pertinent information about the psychosocial history of each resident with the Care Team to facilitate person-centered approaches to care.

The Registered Social Worker reports to the Director of Care in coordination of resident admissions, discharges, care conferences, liaison with families and external agencies regarding financial, legal, and other supportive resources for the benefit of the resident.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Administrative

• Maintains detailed notes in the Resident health record regarding assessments, family meetings, and inquiries/reports from external agencies as appropriate.
• Keeps current with regulatory changes and applying legislation in day-to-day case management, particularly in areas of consent, mental capacity, and elder abuse.
• Knowledgeable about and adheres to all Langley Care Society’s policies.
• Participates in quality improvement activities with the Leadership team by providing input into the development, implementation and evaluation of program goals, objectives, policies and procedures.
• Provides information to the public about access to residential care including access to private pay beds, respite care, family tours and other community resources for informed decision making.
• Provides input to the Langley Care Society CEO and DOC on development of the social work service area, including goals, evaluation, policy, and standards.
• Responsible for educating residents and families about their rights, facilitating access to complaint mechanisms, and supporting trauma-informed, rights-based care.

Clinical Care

• Conducts social work and psychosocial-emotional assessments of residents and families for admission, assessing needs, and coordinating appropriate resources to meet such needs. This includes liaison with appropriate facilities and community agencies.
• Incorporates expectations to apply trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and culturally safe frameworks in assessment, care planning, and conflict resolution.
• Provides therapeutic counselling services (individual and/or group) to residents and families experiencing covert circumstances related to a variety of medical diagnosis including end of life care. The counselling offered is short-term, goal-directed, and within the scope of practice for registered social workers in a healthcare setting.
• Ensures that referrals to specialized mental health professionals will be made when necessary.
• Provides crisis intervention in cases of resident distress, grief, family conflict, and abuse disclosure.
• Follows up and provides ongoing monitoring of complex psychosocial situations.
• Coordinates Langley Care Society Resident Family Council adhering to Fraser Health Authority Guidelines and Supports; including implementing and overseeing educational and family support programming and services relevant to residential care facility placement that affects family and loved ones of Langley Care Society.
• Collaborates with the Manager for Recreation Services in providing a voice to residents through regular resident council meetings.
• Facilitates Resident Care Conferences by organizing and directing the meeting structure, collaborating with the interdisciplinary team, resident, and family members in identifying and planning resident care.
• Participate with the resident care interdisciplinary team in developing resident care plans, facility resources and programming linkages, including admission, transfer, and discharge planning.
• Provide education and consultation to residents, families, and the interdisciplinary team regarding psychosocial/emotional aspects of illness/injury/disease/health and Social Work practice.
• Advocates for residents, families, the interdisciplinary team and other resident support and care staff from a psychosocial/emotional social work platform.
• Facilitates communication and offers support to the family council, they must maintain neutrality, particularly where family concerns involve facility operations.
• Participates and cofacilitates the wellness committee.

Risk Management

• Champions a culture of safety and ensures safety practices and procedures are followed in the facility, including monitoring safety in the resident's living environment and staff working environment.
• Participates in continuous quality improvement, and safety.
• Reports risks, hazards, near misses, unsafe situations, incidents, and accidents to Director of Care or designate.
• Records, charts, maintains and updates resident health records in accordance with the Langley Care Society expectations and the BCCSW documentation standards, Fraser Health's recordkeeping expectations, and the organization's internal documentation timelines.
• Emergency preparedness and response; especially related to residents' psychosocial well-being during events such as disease outbreaks or facility evacuations.

Liaison with External Organizations

• Contacts external agencies and advocates for the residents regarding financial, legal, and/or guardianship needs. Makes referrals to service provider organizations and government agencies for supportive services or resources. Ie. Bloom Group
• Participates in local professional development opportunities for residential care/Social Work discipline to maintain current knowledge of practices adhering to BCCSW standards and FHA directives.
• Liaises with regional community residential care social workers for service planning, coordination, and resource sharing.
• Provides tours for prospective residents/families and other interested parties.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

Competencies

• Models the organization’s culture, philosophy, and shared values on a day-to-day basis.
• As a team player, demonstrates strong and effective interpersonal skills, presents a positive, friendly, and professional image of the organization to visitors, suppliers, clients, employees, and board members.
• maintains active professional development, continuing competency, and ethical decision-making in line with regulatory requirements.
• Promotes a respectful workplace and displays strong conflict resolution and stress management skills.
• Has proven planning, organizational and time management skills.
• Understands privacy and confidentiality requirements in legislation; maintains confidentiality.
• Incorporates cultural diversity and cultural sensitivity in all aspects of the role.
• Works independently, prioritizes work and meets deadlines.
• Pays keen attention to safety protocols.
• Applies problem analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Resourceful and flexible.
• Uses sound judgment, critical thinking.
• Prioritizes conflicting needs within tight deadlines, handles work expeditiously, proactively, and follows-through on projects to successful completion.
• Complies with operational regulations and governance requirements for charities and non-profit organizations.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree of Social Work from an accredited school of Social Work.
• Minimum two years clinical experience in Long Term Care or senior’s healthcare organizations.
• Experience with seniors, and/or persons with dementia, physical or cognitive disability an asset.
• Hold a current valid registration with the Board of Registration for Social Workers in British Columbia.
• Computer and software skills. Proficient in MS Office, electronic health records systems software.
• Comprehensive knowledge of College of Social Workers of BC Standards of Practice.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation including Community Care and Assisted Living Act and Residential Care Regulations.

Special

• Knowledge of the key issues and current Social Work practice in geriatrics and chronic disease management, and a Palliative Approach to care.
• Knowledge of legislation / acts applicable to social work in Heath Care as follows: Adult Guardianship, Mental Health, Freedom of Information & Protection of Privacy.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with clients, the health care environment, independently, as part of an inter-disciplinary team and understanding the framework of other disciplines.

Working Conditions

• Must be in excellent health and physically able to perform duties.
• The healthcare environment requires flexibility and the ability to re-prioritize work.
• Flexible hours required, and some additional hours, including evenings and weekends as required.
• May be exposed to infectious diseases.
• Intermittent physical activity including walking, standing, sitting, transfer of residents in wheelchairs for meetings.

Work Schedule

Monday, Tuesday & Friday | 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.