POSITION SUMMARY

The Community Mental Health – Social Worker is responsible for providing clinical assessments, treatments and educational services to clients. This role acts as a proactive liaison with the hospital’s services, inpatient acute mental health unit, Mental Health Crisis Line, family physicians, and community groups and organizations (e.g. police, shelters, churches, schools, and agencies), to facilitate appropriate use and promotion of services.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Master’s Degree in Social Work
• Current member of The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
• Post-graduate certificate in Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) strongly preferred.
• Post-graduate certificate(s) in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Trauma-Informed Care, or Cultural Safety and Sensitivity considered an asset.

Experience:

• Minimum of three (3) years of experience working with individuals living with a major mental illness is required.
• Minimum of four (4) years directly-related work experience in individual, family and group therapy interventions for mental health required.
• Experience working within models of case management, psychosocial rehabilitation, cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy and other community-based service delivery models required.

Competencies:

• Demonstrated working knowledge of psychiatric illnesses, including symptoms and major diagnostic categories.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of the main classifications of psychotropic medications, including their general use, expected response and common side effects.
• Demonstrated understanding of the basic principles of case management, psychosocial rehabilitation or other community-based service delivery system.
• Demonstrated knowledge of local community resources.
• Demonstrated strong communications skills in English both written and verbal.
• Demonstrated ability to organize, prioritize and multi-task efficiently.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and problem solve independently.
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a cohesive staff team
• Demonstrated computer literacy.

Other:

• Must have a valid driver’s license and a reliable vehicle to provide client care / services off-site. Responsible for providing evidence annually of insurance coverage in the amount of two million dollars (at the owner expense) and annual proof that the insurance company is aware that the vehicle will transport clients.
• Demonstrates commitment to continued professional and personal growth and development through Continuing Education Programs and Self Directed Learning Opportunities.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To provide a range of clinical assessment services to clients of the program and develop and implement appropriate treatment plans, in collaboration with the client’s primary community support worker(s), as required. Assessment includes initial intake screening, comprehensive individual evaluation, and on-going review of client needs and interventions.
• Collaborative meeting(s) with the Community Support Worker team to direct and collaboratively develop and review client treatment plans, review case management clients, problem-solve, and support referrals to community partners.
• To provide a range of treatment services to clients, including outreach, supportive counselling, crisis intervention, monitoring of symptoms, education, advocacy, collateral contacts with family members and other professionals, group and individual psychotherapy, case management and follow-up, as required by the needs of the client. The methods of treatment and standards of practice are to be consistent with the standards of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, and in collaboration with Community Support Workers, when applicable.
• To assume full responsibility for quality and competency of clinical work, using staff colleagues and consultant psychiatrists for cross-consultation on an on-going basis. The position requires considerable independent decision-making and professional judgement on matters pertaining to problem assessment, methods of intervention, and client safety.
• To liaise with physicians, professional agencies/services in the community, hospital staff, and family members, wherever appropriate, for the purpose of consolidating and coordinating client treatment.
• To maintain clinical records of course of treatment in accordance with the standards of practice of the discipline, and to assume full responsibility for compliance with this.
• To maintain adequate and accurate statistical data as required, and to participate in survey/research projects.
• To assume full responsibility for own continuing professional development, and to document this activity in an annual Professional Development Plan.
• To participate with other staff in monthly (or ad hoc) business meetings for the review of policies and procedures, and on-going program development and evaluation.
• To develop specialization(s) in skills and competencies, and take leadership in promoting this within the program
• To provide direct support and supervision to students, volunteers and clients who may be involved in the delivery of services within the program. This responsibility will be negotiated on the basis of both interest and availability of time.
• To provide educational programs and services to the public, other agencies/organizations, professionals, family members and consumers on issues related to the promotion of mental health, and the understanding, management and treatment of mental illness.
• To keep informed of Policy and Procedures for both the program and Hospital, and to understand the main provisions of legislation related to the work of the program (e.g., Mental Health Act).
• To keep the Program Manager informed of client, staff, program and potential risk issues as they arise during the delivery of services, and assist in the development of appropriate proactive responses in order to minimize risks.
• To work effectively within the multi-disciplinary team, in a manner congruent with the OSMH mission, vision and values, and which promotes teamwork, communication, and collaboration.
• Work in collaboration with the Case Management Coordinator (CMC), Community Support Workers, and Quality Experience Lead (QEL) to manage client and program needs.
• Performs other duties as may be assigned by the Program Manager, Mental Health Services

HEALTH & SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES

OSMH is committed to providing a safe, healthy and supportive working environment by treating team members and patients with compassion accountability respect and engagement.
All team members must adhere to OSMH’s Occupational Health and Safety policies, procedures and protocols, as well as the duties of workers as stipulated in the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Team members must be able to perform all bona fide and essential duties of the position which may include cognitive and physical demands.
As a condition of employment, new employees are required to complete an employment health assessment and must be cleared by the Occupational Health and Safety Team prior to orientation.