Geriatric Social Worker

**Job Summary**:
The Geriatric Social Worker will provide mobile social work services to seniors and their families/caregivers in community settings across the North Simcoe Muskoka region.

Eligible clients include those with mental health issues, addictions, various types of dementia, depression and other neurological conditions including those experiencing a responsive behaviour and/or family members/caregivers of these seniors.

The Social Worker will form in-depth therapeutic relationships of a clinical nature with clients with a focus on behavioral change or management characterized by closeness, trust, confidentiality and a non-judgmental attitude. The Social Worker will form open, trusting and supportive relationships with family members/caregivers of clients.

Wendat is a key partner in the North Simcoe Muskoka Specialized Geriatric Services (NSM SGS) Program’s Behaviour Support Services (BSS). The Social Worker will work in collaboration with family members, caregivers, and other service providers including members of SGS and BSS.

**Qualifications**:

- BSW or equivalent university degree with current registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers.
- 1-3 years experience with the geriatric population.
- Fully vaccinated for COVID-19
- Prior experience as a social worker providing therapeutic counselling.
- Demonstrated knowledge of a systems approach to person-centered care and care giver focused care that recognizes the uniqueness, strengths and abilities of each person and promotes optimal quality of life.
- Good knowledge of issues related to aging with mental illness, and family dynamics. Good knowledge of the mental health system, long term care facilities, and community resources.
- Functional knowledge of family dynamics and counselling modalities such as CBT and Brief Solution Therapy.
- Functional level of knowledge around the aging process, medication interactions, complex medical conditions of aging, consent and capacity, Powers of Attorney.
- Good knowledge of various types of dementia and delirium and other neurological conditions and those who experience responsive behavioral change.
- Able to work independently when necessary
- Must be an effective and collaborative team player who is able to liaise with partners while advocating for their clients
- Basic knowledge of computers(Microsoft).
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
- Valid driver’s license, reliable car, valid insurance and ability to travel over long distances daily (across Muskoka and Simcoe County).
- Proficiency in both official languages an asset
- Training in P.I.E.C.E.S., U-First and GPA an asset

**Hours of Work**:
The normal work week is 40 hours and will be worked during the following times: Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Some flexibility in these hours may be required based on client/caregiver needs.

**Agency Responsibilities**:

- Ensures at all times the confidentiality of client and agency information
- Conducts all matters in a professional manner with respect to the individual dignity and right to self-determination of all clients/caregivers.
- Conducts all matters in a punctual and responsible manner.
- Works co-operatively with internal and external staff for the good of the agency and our clients. Relationships will be characterized by tact, diplomacy, trust and collaboration.
- Maintains accurate and up-to-date records, reports and statistics as required by the agency.
- Participates in team meetings, staff meetings, agency committees and external committees as appropriate.

**Specific Responsibilities**:

- Direct Service_
- Development, implementation and evaluation of a collaborative care plan with input from an inter-professional team.
- Assess psychosocial strengths/challenges; develop and plan therapeutic interventions that are consistent with evidence based Social Work practices to address client needs including but not limited to clinical counselling, and where needed case coordination in relation to the following concerns:

- issues of family dynamics as they relate to the client
- issues of care-giver burn-out to help alleviate need for institutional care of their relative
- issues of elder abuse and neglect
- mental health well-being, in particular issues of grief, loss, anxiety and depression (client and caregiver)
- issues of social and family dynamics related to the senior’s successful participation in community life.
- Engage in collaborative problem solving with community care providers to support the client, family members and/or health care providers.
- Ensure linkages and access is provided to entitlements and needed resources.
- Conducts a variety of assessments (OCAN, Falls, risk of suicide, etc) and documents in required areas (client electronic file, client paper file, IAR, etc.)
- Administrative_
- Provides input into program planning, development and evaluation.
- Makes presentations to community groups, service providers and consumers, a