Social Worker MSW, In-Patient Psychiatry

Detailed Overview

Reporting to the Manager, Clinical Operations for operational and administrative issues and coordination of program services including the development, delivery and evaluation of service outcomes; and to the Clinical Practice Leader, Social Worker for professional practice issues. Conducts comprehensive social work and psychosocial assessments of patients suffering acute episodes of mental illness and substance misuse/dependence using a variety of modalities and in accordance with professional standards and clinical policies and practices.

Educates and provides support and consultation to patients, families and healthcare professionals. As a member of an integrated, interdisciplinary team, takes a key role in discharge planning and ensuring optimal continuity of care through activities such as liaison, referral, resource finding, advocacy, coordination, brokerage and pre-placement visits. Develops, coordinates and delivers in-services, presentations, psycho-educational and support groups and initiates, develops and carries out research activities in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team.

The SW is expected to engage the patient & their support system as people with full competence and as full collaborators as full collaborators in service planning, delivery and evaluation. May provide care to patients through a combination of telephone, virtual video/audio conference and/or remote technology to patients in their homes, in the community including outreach, and virtually. Responsibilities Conducts comprehensive social work and psycho-social assessments of patients suffering acute episodes of mental illness and substance misuse/dependence, 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, in accordance with professional standards and clinical policies and practices.

May provide care to patients through a combination of telephone, virtual video/audio conference and/or remote technology to patients in their homes, in the community including outreach, and virtually when required in order to assess and/or engage with patients within their own environment and community. As a member of an integrated, interdisciplinary team takes a key role in planning for care during the hospital stay, and community treatment plans after discharge 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 meetings to develop and coordinate care plans and community services for patients requiring facility placement and/or community support and collaborates with hospital and community services from a social work perspective to determine appropriate levels of care and the effective utilization of patient resources. Communicates/collaborates with mental health and related community service agencies 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 strengthen families.

Participates with patient, families, community supports and interdisciplinary treatment teams to coordinate services, manage cases and facilitate meetings. Active resource finding Educates and provides consultation and support to patients, families and healthcare professionals on issues related to high risk factors, recovery and current community practice in the field of mental health, child protection, adaptation to illness and disability, protection of vulnerable adults, chemical dependency, community living and support services.

Participates in the family support program by providing educational and support services, and by reviewing and evaluating the program and providing feedback regarding potential improvements. 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 comprehensive therapeutic clinical counselling services to patients suffering acute episodes of mental illness, and families by methods such as exploring the emotional psycho-social response to identify problems, personal concerns and treatment objectives and facilitating change in coping style, behaviour, attitude and…