Social Worker Cognitive Health Initiative

**Job Description**:
In accordance with the Vision, Purpose, and Values, and strategic direction of the Vancouver Island Health Authority (Island Health) patient and staff safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone; as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

Reporting to the Manager or designate, and working as part of a member of a multidisciplinary care team providing client-centered care, psychosocial and social assessments, research integration and knowledge translation, care planning, intervention, consultation, one-to-one counselling and referral for services to clients and their caregivers/families where the social, economic, emotional or psychological circumstances of the client presents barriers to care and/or an optimum level of function. This position will be working without general supervision in consultations with a small physician led research team, which supports the Cognitive Health Initiative. The Cognitive Health Initiative works closely with the Specialist Memory Clinic at the Royal Jubilee Hospital's Neil and Susan Manning Seniors' Outpatient Clinic. Further links with primary care are being established through an expanding network of Primary Care Memory Clinics and Geriatric Specialty Services.

Travel may be a requirement of this position. Transportation arrangements must meet the operational requirements of Island Health in accordance with the service assignment and may require the use of a personal vehicle.

**QUALIFICATIONS**:
**Education, Training And Experience**:

- Masters of Social Work degree from a recognized university;
- Current full registration with BC College of Social Workers.
- Comprehensive knowledge and familiarity with Island Health internal and external community based health and human services; and
- Two (2) years recent, related experience.
- Valid BC Driver's License.

**Skills And Abilities**:

- Working knowledge of medical issues facing older adults and adults with cognitive impairment and dementia, and understanding of specific sociomedical issues faced by persons affected by dementia, as applicable to social work.
- Demonstrated working knowledge of applicable legislation.
- Educate and provide consultation to clients/caregivers/families, support groups, and other health care professionals, including development and coordination of in-services, presentations and facilitation skills.
- Ability to facilitate group therapy including knowledge of and experience with delivering psychoeducation, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness.
- Demonstrated working knowledge of community, provincial and federal resources, such as social, health and financial programs, as well as policies.
- Demonstrated comprehensive knowledge and understanding of psychological, mental and cognitive health issues related to illness and injury and patient/family cultural dynamics.
- Demonstrated knowledge with regards to counseling skills, including crisis counseling, brief solution focused therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, ACT Mindfulness, grief, loss and trauma counselling adjusting to new diagnosis.
- Educate and provide consultation to patients/families, support groups, and other health care professionals, including development and coordination of in-services, presentations, facilitation skills and translation of research studies into clinical practice.
- Ability to prioritize emergent clinic and client needs.
- Ability to meet deadlines.
- Organize, prioritize and coordinate workload in a complex and changing environment.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, staff and other health care providers.
- Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
- Work independently and as a member of, and/or provide leadership to, a multidisciplinary health care team.
- Ability to problem solve and work independently on complex matters.
- Demonstrates the ability to practice conflict resolution.
- Operate related equipment, including computerized systems.
- Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
- Ability to relate effectively and establish positive interpersonal relationship/skills with staff and clients.

**Job Requirements**: