Social Service Worker

**POSITION TITLE** Social Service Worker

**REPORTING RELATIONSHIP**Director of Nursing and Personal Care

This is a Non-Union Salaried position with Salary range between $50-60,000 depending on education and experience.

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A social service worker in long term care or senior community supports residents and/or tenants and their families with their mental health and well-being and helps those living with complex needs navigate the system. Social service workers consider the psychological, social, biological, spiritual, and financial factors that may affect the physical and mental health of residents and families.

Responsible to the Life Enrichment and Program Manager the Social Service Worker can expect to be involved with:

- New resident/tenant admission assessments
- Interdisciplinary care planning
- Psychosocial assessments of residents
- Adjustment/life changes counselling (resident/family), counselling (individual, group)
- Facilitating the advocacy process for residents/families
- Helping resolve issues surrounding resident transfers and discharges

**QUALIFICATIONS**
- Social Service Worker Diploma from a recognized educational institute

**REQUIREMENTS**
- Minimum 2 years experience working with the elderly - Dementia/Alzheimer’s Disease afflicted preferred.
- Working knowledge of the issues facing the elderly in Long Term Care facilities.
- Proven ability to plan, organize and prioritize workload.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Good physical and mental health.
- Computer literacy.

**MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**
- Provide care to residents of Saint Luke’s Place as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
- Assess new residents and/or tenants to Saint Luke’s Place to determine requirements for social work intervention. Plan, implement and evaluate social work interventions and programs to meet the specific needs of the individual.
- Provide crisis intervention for residents and/or families in acute emotional crisis. Debrief staff following critical or stressful incidents.
- Act as a resource to other staff involved in the care of residents with behavioral, psychological, or other related issues; provide information about and/or referral to other community agencies.
- Act as a resource to staff in the management of challenging behaviours with the support of the Behavioural support team.
- Consults regularly with the Life Enrichment and Programs Manager regarding organization, activities, and direction of social services.
- Enhances the delivery of social services through the utilization of post-secondary student placements:

- Develops assignments and responsibilities for student roles:

- Mentor students.
- Supervise student placements and assignments.
- Provide guidance to clerical staff regarding admission process as needed.
- Support the delivery of care to meet the psychosocial needs of residents by providing education and guidance to staff.
- Provide guidance within Saint Luke’s Place for ethics as they relate to issues and practices regarding residents of long-term care facilities.
- Assist in the development/review of related policies and procedures for the administration and delivery of social services under the direction of the leadership Team.
- Organize and facilitate tours of Saint Luke’s Place Long-Term Care to members of the community and answer questions as they arise.
- Attend Resident Care conferences and/or tenant meetings and other assigned meetings as part of the interdisciplinary team
- Participate in rounds with the Psychiatrist as needed.
- Work within the palliative care program at Saint Luke’s Place. Provide support to palliative residents and their families, and to staff and volunteers involved in the provision of care to residents at end-of-life. Provide bereavement support to residents and families.
- Provide individual or group support and direction to staff struggling with difficult ethical or emotional issues related to the care of a resident.
- Participates in the management of programs of the Senior Active Living Centre (SALC) under the direction of the Life Enrichment and Program Manager
- Provide support and assistance to families of Saint Luke’s Place residents in resolving issues specifically relating to the placement and ongoing care of their relative at Saint Luke’s Place.
- Design, implement and facilitate group sessions to assist residents and families deal with issues related to placement, grief, and related issues. Evaluate group sessions and modify accordingly.
- Document resident charts and keep records and documentation as required by law, professional standards, and Corporation policies.
- Document social work engagements with residents through facility software.
- Represent Saint Luke’s Place on committees and working groups outside of the facility as directed.
- Direct residents and families to social and financial resources as required.
- Facilitates and organizes Family Council Meetings and serves as a Liaison on the commi