Health Advocate – RSW

Health Advocate – RSW (Registered Social Worker)

Reports to:

Clinic Manager

Position type:

Full Time

Hours:

37.5 Hours a week

About Radius

About Radius CommunityHealth & Healing (formerly Boyle McCauley Health Centre)

Radius Community Health & Healing provides interdisciplinary, team based, integrated, comprehensive, and person-centered primary health care for vulnerable Edmontonians with complex needs.

Through primary care and health promotion, Radius Community Health & Healing improves the quality of life and well-being of populations and individuals who face multiple barriers to accessing health services. Radius achieves this by providing the highest standard of evidence-informed and client focused inter-professional care. We collaborate with our clients to address the broad determinants of health.

Job Description

Radius Health Advocates are a vital component of the Team Based care at Radius. Clinical teams of nurses, physicians, nurse practitioners, medical office assistants, outreach workers, health advocates, mental health therapists, and other professionals offer comprehensive, wrap-around care to Edmonton’s most marginalized population. Health Advocates fulfill a “social work” role for our clients. Understanding that the majority of Radius clients are often marginalized by society and face many systemic barriers, our Health Advocates work directly with clients to navigate social and healthcare systems, so that clients are able to access the necessary supports they require to thrive. This includes navigation of social service funding (including AISH and AB works), housing first programming, community service agencies, and many other services.

Key Responsibilities

- Work in an interdisciplinary team to provide social supports in a primary care setting

- In collaboration with the healthcare team, providing the following healthcare services:

- Connection to essential services in the health and social sector

- Help clients to navigate available social supports (including financial, housing, food security, and other basic needs)

- Contributing to the client care plan, and work with other healthcare providers to achieve client-centred goals

- Assist clients to secure basic needs, documents, and services (e.g. identification)

- Management of substance misuse disorders

- Continuity of care

- Client advocacy

- Radius clients are often faced with barriers of stigma, and the role of the Health Advocate may often be hands-on, and will require direct advocacy and intervention on behalf of clients

- Health Advocate work is often opportunistic, and the successful candidate must be able to adapt quickly, see clients on a walk-in basis, and be prepared to work directly with clients (vs. Passing them on via a system of referrals)

Qualifications

- Registration with Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) is preferred

- Mandatory vulnerable sector check and suitable criminal record check

- Mandatory experience with marginalized populations (e.g. homeless serving sector, social service agencies)

Knowledge/Skills

- Able to balance numerous demands and conflicting priorities, strong problem-solving skills.

- Ability to work co-operatively within a multidisciplinary team

- Ability to demonstrate patience and understanding for those with addictions and behavioral disorders

- Strong computer proficiency, with experience with Office 365 suite (e.g. Outlook, MS Office, Excel) an asset

- Prior experience with electronic medical record (EMR) system an asset (e.g. MedAccess)

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

- Has a good understanding of trauma-informed care, and must be able to operate within a harm reduction model of care

- Understanding of cultural awareness an asset

At Radius, we’re committed to enhancing our employees’ well-being with a comprehensive benefits package designed to support both personal and professional growth. Radius offers:

- Employee Assistance Plan (EAP): All employees have access to confidential counseling and access to a wide range of resources for personal and professional challenges. Our EAP is here to support your overall well-being.

- Benefits available to all permanent, full-time employees after a defined waiting period:

- Comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits: Premiums are fully covered by Radius

- Long-Term Disability, Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment, and Critical Illness Coverage: Mandatory enrollment, employees are responsible to pay premiums.

- Lifestyle Spending Account: Wide variety of options available to spend an annual allowance

- Group Retirement Savings Plan.

Please Note: This position requires a valid driver’s license and the ability to drive for work-related tasks. Employees may also be required to transport clients as part of their duties. A clean driving record and comfort with driving company or personal vehicles are essential.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Radius Community Health and Healing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment where all employees are respected and valued. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply and join our team, and we are committed to providing equal opportunities for all qualified applicants. Accommodations for applicants with disabilities will be provided upon request.

Land Acknowledgement

Radius respectfully acknowledge that we are located within Treaty 6 territory, and Metis Nation of Alberta Region 4. We acknowledge this land as the traditional home for many Indigenous Peoples including the Cree, Blackfoot, Metis, Nakota Sioux, Dene, Saulteaux, Anishinaabe, Inuit, and many others whose history, languages, and cultures continue to influence our vibrant community.

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