Social Worker, Overdose Outreach Team

SalaryThe salary range for this position is CAD $42.27 - $52.81 / hour Job SummaryJoin Our Team as a Clinician for Community Mental Health & Substance UseAre you passionate about making a meaningful impact in mental health and substance use services? We’re looking for dedicated professionals to join our dynamic team as a Clinician for Community Mental Health.What We're Looking For: Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from an approved school of Social Work.Experience: At least two (2) years' recent, related experience in a complex healthcare environment such as a community harm reduction setting including one (1) year experience working with clients who have been systematically marginalized with multiple health issues, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience will also be considered.Watch this video to learn how Fraser Health supports mental health, hosted by our President, Dr. Victoria Lee: Navigating mental health with compassionTo learn more about our MHSU programs and services, read employee insights, and current job vacancies, please visit this site: Fraser Health MHSU Detailed OverviewWithin the context of a client and family centred care model and in accordance with the vision and values of the organization, the Social Worker is responsible for providing clinical and consultative case management and social work services to priority clients and their natural supports within the Fraser Health (FH) Overdose Outreach Team (OOT). The Social Worker provides comprehensive services and therapeutic clinical counseling to clients and their natural supports, which includes conducting comprehensive social work and psychosocial assessments of clients and their natural supports using a variety of assessment tools to provide treatment services. Provides clinical support to the interdisciplinary team including physicians in the development of care plans and services provided within the assigned area of responsibility. Participates on local committees and planning bodies to identify areas of improvement in the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery to enhance client care services and reduce service gaps. Primarily the work is done on an outreach basis to meet the needs of the clients and to provide integration and continuity across the care continuum. The Social Worker plays a central role as a liaison, and an education resource with community agencies and throughout FH. Applies advanced knowledge, skill and clinical experience in facilitating communication and decision making around client care. Responsibilities Conducts comprehensive social work and psychosocial assessments, counselling, referral and advocacy for clients and their natural supports connected to OOT and OOT related programs/services.Provides comprehensive therapeutic and crisis intervention services by exploring psychosocial response to identify problems, personal concerns and treatment objectives, and to facilitate change in coping style, behavior, attitude and feelings. Works with the client, their natural supports, community supports and interdisciplinary team to coordinate services, manage cases and facilitate meetings. Ensures follow up to best support client engagement along the continuum of care.Provides intensive case management services to clients noted as having acute complex care needs. Completes collaborative assessments and responds by coordinating, monitoring and frequently evaluating individualized care plans that address the client’s needs.Provides harm reduction education, counseling, supplies and support including episodic overdose prevention services (eOPS – witnessed consumption) and drug checking in partnership with other team members.Builds trusting relationships with people who use substances and their supply networks to optimize access to community health interventions (e.g. drug checking) and communication (i.e. drug alerts).Establishes and maintains effective relationships with community social service agencies by facilitating communication and decision-making around client care, and by identifying gaps in services and working with the Overdose Response and Vulnerable Populations (ODRVP) team to improve services for clients at risk for overdose.Participates in clinical consultation and education within OOT regarding psychosocial factors affecting client care and engagement.Provides up to date accurate information regarding changes in system navigation ensuring timely and efficient responses to client care needs, including relevant legislative systems applicable to client populations served.Maintains client records by documenting client referrals and assessments, charting information, preparing progress notes and reports in accordance with established standards, policies and procedures, and in in compliance with regulatory requirements.Participates in inter-professional planning, evaluation and development of protocols to enhance system processes and resources for clients at risk for overdose.Collaborates with clinical and community agencies to address barriers to clients that exacerbate risk. Receives referrals from care management personnel and other members of the interdisciplinary team to assist clients and/or their natural supports with complex emotional or social presentations through the system of care.Requests and/or attends clinical case conferences for client reviews, consults on new referrals and discusses transition/discharge plans in collaboration with the ODRVP team and other care providers.Provides consultative and/or direct services to clients, their natural supports, team members and community health professionals to navigate psychosocial systems such as immigration, financial instability, housing, legal advocacy and mental health and substance use services.Maintains a variety of documentation and records. Collects and provides requested data to the OOT clinical team as required.Participates in program evaluation and/or quality improvement by identifying opportunities for change and formulating recommendations to support OOT related initiatives.Performs other related duties as assigned. QualificationsEducation, Training & ExperienceBachelor’s degree in Social Work from an approved school of Social Work. Current full registration with the BC College of Social Workers. Two (2) years recent, related experience in a complex healthcare environment such as a community harm reduction setting including one (1) year experience working with clients who have been systematically marginalized with multiple health issues. Or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Valid B.C. driver’s license and access to a personal vehicle for business-related purposes. Current First Aid and CPR Level C. Skills & AbilitiesDemonstrated ability to work with priority and culturally diverse populations related to substance use and the toxic drug-poisoning crisis, including Indigenous and LGBTQ+ communities.Demonstrated ability to do outreach to non-traditional environments where people gather (i.e. festivals, witness consumption spaces).Demonstrated orientation to practice that deeply listens to and honours the knowledge of the people we serve, which includes radical allyship with people who use drugs, harm reduction, cultural humility and safety, sex-positive, trauma and resiliency-informed practice.Knowledge of legislation and government policies and procedures that relate to substance use practices and how they may affect client care, resource access or practice guidelines.Crisis prevention/intervention, problem-solving skills and conflict resolution/de-escalation skills.Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment as well as capacity to work in partnership with other community agencies with minimal supervision.Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with clients, families, team members and community agency personnel.Ability to operate related equipment including applicable software applications.Physical ability to perform the duties of the position. About Fraser HealthFraser Health is the heart of health care for over two million people in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley in British Columbia, Canada, on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux Nations and is home to 32 First Nations within the Fraser Salish region. People - those we care for and those who care for them - are at the heart of everything we do. Our hospital and community-based services are delivered by a team of 50,000+ staff, medical staff and volunteers. We are committed to planetary health and value diversity in the work force. We strive to maintain an environment of respect, caring and trust. Fraser Health’s hiring practices aspire to ensure all individuals are treated in an inclusive, equitable and culturally safe manner. Together, we are the heart of health care. Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Indeed | Glassdoor IMPORTANT: Recruitment scam warningPlease be on alert for recruitment scams. We are aware of several scams targeting individuals by falsely claiming to represent Fraser Health. Always take precautions when sharing personal details with unverified sources. Please note that we will never ask for money or payment, nor ask you to download or install an app at any point during our recruitment process.