Social Worker - Crisis Services

Purpose

The Sault Area Hospital (SAH) is currently recruiting for a Social Worker for the Crisis Services Department, which may include work with the Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Team. The successful candidate will be an integral member of the multidisciplinary mental health and addictions team and will liaise with the diverse mental health programs within the hospital and community.

Duties

• Provide direct social work service and counseling to clients and/or their families as a part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Interview clients individually, in families or in groups to determine and evaluate the client’s social, financial, psychological, cultural and family situation and total needs to provide a comprehensive assessment and treatment plan.
• Convey findings of assessment and liaison with the health care team.
• Dependent on the needs of the Crisis unit, and at discretion of leadership, you may be assigned to work the MCCRT team where you would work in collaboration with Police services to provide acute crisis intervention in the community.
• Plan for/ assist clients with referrals to agencies that provide financial assistance, housing, medical treatment and other interdependent services.
• Serve as a member on interdisciplinary teams of professionals working with client groups.
• Provide consultation to members of hospital staff, community agencies and other persons or groups seeking guidance in an effort to address the problems of the clients.
• Participate in In-Service programs regarding the social and emotional components of health/illness and their effects on patients and families, as assigned.
• Assist in diversion from hospital and the criminal justice system as appropriate.
• Work to grow strong community partnerships.
• Work from a continuous improvement framework.
• Provide follow up and regular wellness checks proactively or by appropriate request.
• Provide ongoing education to clients and our community.
• Educate clients, families and other supports on mental health and addictions and how to access support.
• Maintain accurate client records and statistical reports as required.
• Function as a professional role model demonstrating good interpersonal skills and a commitment to self-growth and development.
• Develop and maintaining good working relationships with other hospital and medical staff while remaining a client advocate.
• Participate in peer supervision with other staff, as requested.
• Maintain current knowledge of best practices and benchmarks for the delivery of services, appropriate research, literature, accreditation requirements, policy and legislative requirements and implementing improvements/changes as appropriate.
• Comply with organizational policies, procedures and standards.
• Takes initiative to develop and maintain unit policies and procedures, and client centered treatment plans.
• Assuming other duties as may be assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or other relevant field.
• Current registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers or other governing body.
• Must possess a valid drivers’ license and the ability to drive a vehicle.
  
  

Experience

• Minimum 3 years of direct experience in mental health or crisis counselling in an acute setting. The experience would need to have been on MH&A assessment, interventions and treatment planning for clients in acute distress due to situational crisis, as well as those that have complex Mental Health and Addictions diagnosis and needs.
• Experience in managing substance abuse and substance related disorders
  
  

Skill

• Excellence in problem solving techniques, conflict resolution skills, ability to work effectively on an interdisciplinary team and with the public.
• Excellent writing skills including the ability to synthesize information into clear, concise messages both for detailed analytical reports and executive summaries.
  
  

Ability

• Ability to take a system wide and novel approach to opportunities.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain successful working relationships; ability to meet and deal with people in a pleasant, professional, responsible and reassuring manner, both in person and on the telephone; tact, courtesy and alertness in public contacts
• Ability to work under pressure and use good judgment in assessing difficult situations.
• Ability to work as a team member and deal effectively with management, staff and physicians.
• Demonstrated strong communication skills including the ability to relate well with others and adapt style as needed.
• Provide safe and compassionate care to those who life with Mental Health and Addiction.
• Able to manage high volumes and varied work assignments with accuracy.
• Demonstrates leadership skills, sound judgement and diplomacy.
• Demonstrates crisis intervention skills for both telephone and person to person situations.
• Working knowledge of inpatient and community-based resources for children and adults with mental health and addictions needs.
• Must possess a thorough knowledge of the principles and techniques associate with crisis intervention assessment.
• Ability to elicit critical information in stressful situations, and provide rapid assessment to formulate an immediate intervention.
• Have a strong knowledge of the Mental Health Act and to be able to be a resource on this topic.
• Must be able to manage the physical demands associated with responding to an acute crisis in the community (i.e. stairs, attending client’s homes).
• Demonstrated behaviour consistent with the Hospital’s mission statement and ICCARE values
  
  

Note: Because of the changing nature of the work and work to be done, other responsibilities and duties may by assigned and qualifications may be adjusted from time to time. Only those selected for the test/ interview will be contacted.