ABOUT SPRINT SENIOR CARE:

We began caring for seniors and enabling seniors to care for themselves in 1983. We continue to do so today as an accredited, not-for-profit community support service agency in Toronto by offering a wide range of practical and low-cost services to seniors and their caregivers. Our services help seniors stay safe, connected, and live as independently as possible. They also prevent premature or inappropriate institutionalization.

JOB SUMMARY:

Social workers engage clients and stakeholders to work on common goals to improve client independence, level of functioning and connections to their community. Social workers are the initial point of agency contact for most SPRINT Senior Care clients; they take responsibility for screening calls and determining needed services/supports to which clients (and their families) can be referred. In addition, social workers are involved in community development work, support groups and collaboration and partnership initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• BSW or MSW, registration with the OCSWSSW required.
• Demonstrated experience in geriatrics, mental health and/or addiction, and cognitive impairment in a community setting.
• Experience working with individual caregivers.
• Proven working knowledge of theories of addiction, evidence-based treatment models and best practice approaches.
• Strong de-escalation and crisis intervention skills.
• Experience in community capacity building, health promotion, adult education, and group work.
• Demonstrate computer skills at an intermediate level for the use of the Internet and the following Microsoft Office applications: Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, Excel and Outlook.
• Demonstrate an intermediate level for database concepts and structures. Familiarity with Alayacare software is an asset.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development.

• Support to seniors in hospital returning home or to an alternate setting and require post-hospital discharge mental health and addiction support.
• Screen and assess clients’ eligibility for SPRINT Senior Care services; provide consultation and counselling regarding the appropriateness of services.
• Working collaboratively with hospital partners and community providers to establish a coordinated care plan based on clients physical, mental health and cognitive needs.
• Provide mental health support to seniors through effective assessment.
• Connect seniors to resources, counseling, and support services to address mental health concerns.
• Work in close collaboration with a team of internal and external support to coordinate all aspects of client case management.
• Connect with hospital service providers to support discharge planning and transitioning clients safely to community when appropriate.
• Provide case management services including locating and managing appropriate resources; contacting and communicating with health care, mental health and legal professionals and interdisciplinary teams, families, and caregivers; providing psychosocial/functional assessments; and solution-focused and crisis counselling to clients and caregivers.
• Actively participate in and be an integral contributor to inter-disciplinary teams.
• Plan, co-ordinate and provide facilitative leadership to self-help, therapeutic, problem-solving, and educational group programs as part of SPRINT Senior Care services.
• Complete all client assessments and reassessments, including the interRAI CHA, and develop care plans.
• Consult with and train internal staff and volunteers to share knowledge of the client system in order to enhance client service and enable any/all SPRINT Senior Care services/programs to connect appropriately with clients/families.
• Provide ongoing monitoring and reassessment of clients’ social, mental and physical status and modify care plans to respond to changes.
• Participate in and provide leadership to partnerships between current SPRINT Senior Care partners and establish new partnerships to support community-organizing activities.
• Seek opportunities for acquiring information related to policy changes that will affect, or are of interest to, SPRINT Senior Care’s client group.
• Facilitate community organizing with SPRINT Senior Care clients to support client identified/directed advocacy.
• Develop strategies to reach out to isolated older adults and implement strategies to facilitate their access to health and social services.
• Provide clinical supervision to placement students from colleges and universities.
• Undertake special tasks as assigned by the Manager, Social Work
• Analyze trends and identify needs for service in the community; provide leadership in planning, development, and evaluation of progressive social work programs.
• Assist in implementation of program evaluation, quality and risk management activities of the program and agency.