Registered Social Worker - Outreach

at  HealthCaringKW

POSITION SUMMARY

The primary focus of this position is to support CHCKW outreach teams that serve individuals who are homeless and precariously housed. Often, these individuals are more complex due to mental health and substance abuse issues. The social worker will primarily focus on providing counseling support in an outreach setting, with some case management responsibilities. Additionally, this role will other offer related services and support to mobile primary care teams and participate in HART hub locations. Additionally, our outreach teams collaborate with other partners of the Inner City Health Alliance who serve the same clients.
Work hours are primarily daytime but may include some evenings.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Member in good standing as a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Services Workers.
• Master’s degree in social work with 2 years experience practicing social work in community and clinical setting.
• Post-degree training with a focus on psychotherapeutic theory, clinical modalities and techniques.
• Experience working with patients with trauma, sexual abuse, and chronic disease management.
• Knowledge and proficiency in current assessment, counselling and psychotherapy modalities and techniques for working with adults, children, couples, families and communities.
• Proficiency in the use of a personal computer and software programs including Microsoft Office, email and internet. Experience with electronic medical records systems such as PS Suites is considered an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in English, both written and verbally.
• Second language is an asset.
• Current and ongoing CPR certification.
• Ability to work independently as well as an effective member of an interdisciplinary team.
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• Skill in setting and maintaining strong boundaries with clients.

• Ability to work collaboratively and ensure accountability to clients and the team.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Experience working sensitively with culturally and economically diverse populations.
• Ability to obtain a Police Vulnerable Sector Check satisfactory to the Health Centre.
• The Health Centre requires that all staff be fully vaccinated for Covid-19 at the time of hire and maintain vaccination ongoing as boosters become available. Official proof of Covid-19 vaccination status is a mandatory requirement.

• Perform psychosocial assessment and develop therapeutic plans for clients including adults, adolescents, couples and families.
• Provide counselling and psychotherapy services for clients as assigned. Psychotherapy services may include clinical modalities and treatments that are considered by Law and Regulation to be the “controlled act of psychotherapy”. The Registered Social Worker will ensure at all times that they maintain competency to perform Psychotherapy as defined by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Services Workers.
• Provide social work services to individuals’ experience increased barriers to healthcare services including HART Hub & other outreach locations.
• Act as an advocate related to individual, organizational and systemic issues with respect to mental health and well-being, and in keeping with Community Healthcaring KW policies.
• Participate in case conferences to ensure co-ordination of services to client.
• Working from a Harm Reduction, Trauma Informed lens and Social Determinants of Health perspective to improve health outcomes for individual clients and/or for the development of community health and well-being, and to reduce health inequities.
• Maintain accurate and up to date clinical notes in accordance with Registered Social Worker professional standards and CHCKW policy.
• Provide a welcoming, inclusive and supportive environment for clients, patients, staff and volunteers.
• Work during both regular and extended hours including 1 evening per week at outreach locations within Kitchener/Waterloo with irregular hours evenings and weekends.
• Participate in team and staff meetings and other meetings and committee work as appropriate to support both service delivery and organizational goals.
• Collect, analyze and report on data and relevant information and participate in research as determined by CHKW.
• Contribute to the centre’s practices of hiring, orienting and training of staff.
• Work individually and collaboratively in the development and implementation of quality improvement initiatives and activities.
• Work in a manner that preserves privacy and confidentiality. Be able to communicate health information to appropriate health care professionals.
• Work in a manner that ensures client safety and minimizes risk to clients, volunteers and the centre.
• Work in a manner consistent with the CHKW vision, mission and guiding principles.
• Work in a manner that demonstrates self-reflection and personal accountability for work performance.
• Adhere to all CHKW policies.
• Maintain up to date, accurate, clinical notes in accordance with RN professional standards and CHKW/IPC policy.
• Participate in staff and team meetings and multi-agency meetings as needed.
• Facilitation of social group work programming.
• Maintain a valid driver’s license, access to a reliable personal vehicle and adequate insurance for work-related travel in accordance with CHKW Policy A1901.
• Work individually and collaboratively in the development and implementation of quality improvement initiatives and activities.
• Work with other members of the Inner City Health Alliance (or other social service agencies) to provide wrap around care for Outreach clients.
• Work with members of the Inner City Health Alliance (or other social service agencies) to contribute to larger initiatives such as vaccination clinics, isolation spaces, covid response, etc.
• Provide input/explore Outreach locations and connect with other agencies to create new partnerships regarding outreach client care.
• Complete home visits as needed.
• Support Public Health initiatives, such as supporting syphilis and other infectious disease.
• Adhere to and support Public Health Pandemic guidelines, including vaccinations, isolation, and testing for patients.
• Ability to respond in emergency situations, such as Overdose or mental Health crisis.
• Ability to work autonomously and consult practitioners as needed.
• Serve as a health care connector, to reconnect patients back to primary care and other health care services.
• Work in a manner consistent with the Health Centre’s policy and commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in all processes and practices.
• Participate in research as determined by the Health Centre.
• Adhere to appropriate infection control practices including those related to Covid -19.
• Maintain status of fully vaccinated for Covid-19, including boosters as they become available.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by your supervisor.
  Accountability
  The position is accountable to the Director, Health and Wellness