Social Worker, Acute

Detailed Overview

Reporting administratively to the Manager, Health Services and clinically to the Professional Practice Chief, Social Work, the Social Worker, Acute Care provides therapeutic clinical counselling services to patients and families in the assigned clinical area within Acute Care including the surgical, general medicine, palliative and geriatric programs. Conducts social work assessments of patients and families using a variety of modalities and in accordance with professional standards and clinical policies and practices and provides consultation to patient, families and healthcare professionals. Provides leadership within the interdisciplinary team in care planning for the effective utilization of patient resources and participates as a member of local committees and planning bodies to identify areas for improved efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery to enhance patient care services and reduce gaps in the community. Participates in in-services, presentations, psycho-educational and support groups, and provides education to patients/family/interdisciplinary team as needed regarding Social Work practice. Responsibilities Provides direct social work services to patients and families in the assigned clinical area within Acute Care by methods such as exploring the emotional response to identify problems, personal concerns and treatment objectives and facilitating change in coping style, behaviour, attitude and feelings as it relates to the illness and other system issues. Participates with patient, families, and community supports and interdisciplinary treatment teams to coordinate services, manage cases and facilitate meetings. Conducts psychosocial assessments of patients and families by methods such as interviewing the patient and/or family, obtaining relevant information, gathering social data regarding the patient and/or family and interpreting the data using a variety of modalities and in accordance with professional standards and clinical policies and practices. Provides consultation to patients, families and healthcare professionals on issues related to high risk factors, recovery and current community practice relevant to the assigned clinical area in the fields of adaptation to illness and disability, trauma and bereavement, critical incident stress management, protection of vulnerable adults, chemical dependency and community living and support services. Maintains patient records by methods such as documenting patient assessments, charting patient information, preparing progress notes and reports in accordance with established standards, policies and procedures to meet regulatory requirements and documenting for future reference. Provides leadership in the discharge planning process, by methods such as interviewing the patient and/or family to assess and determine care plan and type of service required and articulating analysis and decision to members of the interdisciplinary team. Arranges family meetings to assist in developing and coordinating care plan and community services for patients requiring facility placement and/or home support and collaborates with hospital and community services to determine alternate level of care and the effective utilization of patient resources. Communicates with community health and social agencies including government ministries, Home Health personnel and family physicians by performing duties such as collaborating in the assessment and management of individuals at risk, making referrals to appropriate resources when longer term treatment or follow-up is required and exchanging relevant information. Acts as a resource to patients and their families by performing duties such as providing information for patients and families regarding community resources and access to these resources, suggesting contacts to facilitate optimal planning, arranging referrals and facilitating the development of community resources to support the health of families. Participates as a member of local committees and planning bodies by methods such as engaging in program/practice evaluation, identifying opportunities for change, assessing available resources, initiating solutions, analyzing outcomes and identifying areas for improved efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery to enhance patient care services and reduce service gaps in the community. Maintains a variety of records such as workload statistics by methods such as recording information into approved formats, collating data, preparing reports and recommending an action plan to the Professional Practice Chief and/or Manager, Health Services as required. Attends and/or leads meetings, in-services, develops/coordinates psycho-educational and support groups Participates in research activities and program planning and development relevant to the needs of the patient, families, hospital and community in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team by methods such as identifying current trends/gaps in service, conducting literature searches, administering surveys and collecting research data for further analysis. Ensures that clinical practices and protocols are consistent with research findings. Maintains development in the Social Work profession by methods such as reviewing literature in the assigned clinical specialty area, consulting with clinical and community experts within the field, evaluating clinical practice and participating in professional development activities in order to improve care through new practices. Performs other related duties as assigned. Qualifications Education and Experience Bachelor's Degree of Social Work from an accredited School of Social Work. One year's recent, related experience in a hospital setting or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Current full registration with the BC College of Social Workers. Skills and Abilities Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of emotional and mental health issues related to illness and injury, and patient/family cultural dynamics. Basic counselling skills including crisis counselling, brief therapeutic interventions and loss and grief applicable to families, young adults and seniors. Ability to provide consultation to patients, families and healthcare professionals. Ability to develop, coordinate and deliver in-services, presentations, and support groups. Ability to provide leadership to the interdisciplinary team in care planning for the effective utilization of patient resources. Ability to make effective referrals, reflecting in-depth knowledge of community resources and strong collaborative skills in working with community health and social agency personnel. Knowledge of community, social, health and welfare programs, Acts/Policies. Ability to work effectively with others, including working effectively in a multicultural environment, independently, as part of an interdisciplinary team understanding the frameworks of other disciplines. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with patients, families, staff and community agency personnel. Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize workload in a complex environment. Ability to operate related equipment. Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.

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