Social Worker

**Position Overview**

The Social Worker (SW) will play an integral role in the care of the patients of the Thamesview Family Health Team. The Social Worker will assist the FHT in achieving its vision and mission. The role of the Social Worker in the Thamesview Family Health Team requires a thorough knowledge of mental health issues in a primary care context and the ability to function effectively in a team environment with physicians, other interdisciplinary health professionals and administrative staff. The role also requires thorough knowledge and understanding of community services and a high level of interpersonal skills to deal with patients and their families in a holistic compassionate fashion.

**Roles and Responsibilities**

**Diagnosis and Treatment**:

- Work collaboratively with other team members to manage the needs of patients of the TFHT
- Accept all patients referred by the FHT physicians, triage referrals and assign priority ratings.
- Identify, analyze and provide appropriate treatment and/or referral for patients’ mental and Psycho-social health care problems.
- Assist patients and providers to navigate the health and community service systems to identify and connect with appropriate services and supports.
- Case management, including links to community services in such areas as assistance with daily living, crisis intervention, health promotion and prevention.
- Support patients to manage their clinical plans including medication, appointments, healthy choices and lifestyle.
- Support patients to achieve goals in such areas as community integration, health and wellness, employment, personal care, household management, housing support.
- Develop, update and maintain education resources for patients and for providers.
- Evaluate and document outcomes of individual patient care in collaboration with the team.
- Comfort and mastery providing individual, couple, family, and group therapy through multiple modalities, offering multiple treatment options in a patient centred way.
- Comfort developing and presenting treatment groups in novel ways to meet patient needs and promote health.

**Organizational**:

- Collection of data as required for statistical/reporting purposes.
- Provide timely and informative reports as directed and requested by the Mental Health Lead, Executive Director and/or Physician Lead.
- Observe, collect and record patient data in the EMR system.
- Participate in team building, program development, and improvement activities.
- Participate in staff meetings, to exchange ideas, receive mutual support and monitor program outcomes as well as present case studies.
- When required, assist in the development and implementation of the clinical model and guidelines for collaborative care.
- Comply with established personnel policies, procedures, standards and guidelines for operation.
- Identify gaps and needed modifications in services.

**Education, Community Relations and Advocacy**:

- Facilitate referrals to other services as well as communication and networking between the primary care practice and hospital or home care.
- Maintain relations with networks, related professional organizations and other related service providers.
- Participate in building creative supportive environments for FHT staff and for patients.
- Represent the mission, values and philosophy of the FHT in the community, including networks, meetings or presentations, as requested.
- Assist in the training and supervision of students and/or volunteers as requested by the Executive Director and/or Lead Physician.
- Help patients to identify and use health resources.
- Involve patients in decisions about their own health.
- Support patients in learning how to self-manage care.
- Initiate and support health education activities.
- Identify community needs and resources.
- Provide clinical leadership.

**Other**:

- Participate in established performance evaluation process and professional development goals.
- Develop, update and maintain education resources.
- Attend relevant conferences, workshops and other in-service events as approved.
- Participate in community meetings as required.
- Perform other related duties as assigned by the Executive Director and/or Physician Lead.

**Qualifications and Requirements**:

- Bachelor’s or Graduate Degree in Social Work from a recognized university. Minimum 3 years combined education and experience in the human service field. Experience related to community based mental health preferred. Membership with corresponding College, as applicable, and proof of professional liability insurance.
- Good understanding of relevant provincial and local legislation and government policies, procedures and practices pertaining to services provided by social workers.
- Knowledge of client-centered philosophy, basic principles and practices of community service delivery and short-term treatment options.
- Knowledge of community resources connected to the provision of mental healt