Social Worker Immunodeficiency Clinic

Mandatory Vaccination

As per the current Public Health Orders (Long Term Care/Seniors Assisted Living Provincial Health Order and the Health Sector Order), as of October 26, 2021, all employees working for Providence Health Care must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Proof of vaccination status will be required.

Reporting to the Social Work Professional Practice Leader and under the supervision of the designated Site Leader, and working collaboratively with the other Site/Professional Practice Leaders for the interdisciplinary program team, the position works as part of an interprofessional team in the Immunodeficiency Clinic (IDC) to provide advanced therapeutic clinical counseling, education and resource services to individuals and families with, and affected by, HIV. The position assesses, formulates and implements treatment plans and provides comprehensive case consultation and follow-up support on treatment decisions in collaboration with members of the interprofessional team. Develops therapeutic and psycho-educational groups for patients and families. Provides leadership to the interdisciplinary team in addressing complex care needs in the discharge planning process and determining the effective development and utilization of resources. Liaises and consults as appropriate with the PHC Addiction and Mental Health teams including psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practicing in the IDC. Participates in evaluating treatment practices and protocols within the social work team to promote excellence in social work practice. Conducts approved social work and interdisciplinary research and special projects in collaboration with appropriate personnel, and provides education to social workers and other disciplines regarding best practices. Participates as a member of local, provincial/federal committees, thereby linking the hospital program to the community support program and services. Education
Masters Degree in Social Work from an accredited university. Post graduate continuing education in model(s) of therapeutic intervention in addictions and mental health. Three (3) years' recent related experience working in the areas mental health, substance use disorders, and HIV/AIDS or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Current full registration with the British Columbia College of Social Workers. Skills and Abilities Demonstrated knowledge of mental health and substance use issues and related evidence-based best treatment practices. Comprehensive knowledge of psychiatric diagnoses and professional practice guidelines for the treatment of various disorders, including complex concurrent disorders. Demonstrated knowledge and experience of relevant treatment modalities and interventions such as DBT, CBT and motivational interviewing. Demonstrated ability to communicate and work effectively with clients, families, interprofessional teams, community agency partners and academic/research institutions. Demonstrated understanding of the social determinants of health. Demonstrated ability to conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments that include mental health status exams, and mental health and substance use standardized frameworks and tools. Ability to plan, implement and evaluate practice interventions including individual, couple, family and group, based on psychosocial assessments. Ability to make appropriate and effective referrals that reflect in-depth knowledge of community resources and strong collaborative skills in working with other community partners. Knowledge of the scope of practice of other health care disciplines and the ability to work independently and collaboratively within an inter-professional team. Ability to work effectively within a culturally diverse environment and to practice cultural humility. Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize workload in a complex and demanding environment. Demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of regulations, policies, procedures, and other statutory duties related to relevant legislation such as the Mental Health Act, Adult Guardianship Act, and the Freedom of Information Act. Ability to educate and provide consultation to clients, families and healthcare professionals that includes the development, coordination and delivery of in-services, presentations, and psycho-educational and support groups. Proficiency in the use of personal computers, including related word processing and database management software applications. Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position. Provides advanced therapeutic clinical counseling services to clients, families and groups in designated program area by exploring problems and personal concerns, treatment objectives, and emotional responses; facilitating change in coping style, behaviour, attitude and feelings; participating with clients, families, interdisciplinary team members and community partners to coordinate services, facilitate meetings and make referrals to appropriate resources. Delivers and coordinates therapeutic and psycho-educational groups for specific client populations. Conducts comprehensive social work psychosocial assessments in designated program area using methods such as interviewing the client and/or family to obtain relevant information, gathering social data regarding the client's family, supports, environment, culture, living situation and financial status and interpreting the data to therapeutically impact the client's and family's coping abilities. Assesses client needs and available services and develops care options with client input. Facilitates clients' utilization of appropriate community services and rehabilitative programs through methods such as researching available services, liaising with service and program providers, advocating for services, and providing advice and consultation to colleagues. Formulates and implements care and treatment plans through methods such as negotiating a process for achieving goals, collaborating with members of the interprofessional team(s) in both inpatient and outpatient settings and evaluating goals while maintaining respect for client dignity, self-determination and independence. Maintains client records through electronic methods such as documenting client assessments, charting client information and regular progress notes and reports in accordance with established standards, policies and procedures to meet regulatory requirements and in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act. Provides referrals to appropriate community agencies, services and practitioners, including substance use disorder treatment; individual, couples and family therapy; victim assistance programs, employee assistance programs; and other agencies and services. Utilizes available community resources such as volunteers, community groups, alternate care services and other service agencies to develop supportive and rehabilitative programs for clients and their families. Provides clinical consultation services to PHC social workers and interdisciplinary care providers and outside agencies and professionals regarding the care and management of clients in the designated program by providing recommendations, guidance and clinical direction. Initiates the development and evaluation of mental health programs within IDC by collaborating with members of the interprofessional team, providing input and making recommendations to the Patient Care Manager, Program Director, and Physician Leaders as requested. Develops and coordinates clinical teaching and fieldwork experience for Social Work students in collaboration with the Social Work Research, Education and Practice Coordinator and the teaching institutions by ensuring appropriate student placement, developing an orientation and education program for the designated program area, providing training, and evaluating student progress. Provides post academic training to academic institutions as a guest lecturer or in sessional teaching opportunities in designated program area. Sets measurable individual/discipline learning goals and objectives to maintain and increase knowledge of clinical and professional development in designated program area including HIV/AIDS, mental health and addictions. This will be achieved by reviewing literature in specialty area, consulting with clinical and community experts within the field, and participating in professional development and continuing education activities to improve care through new practices. Engages in practice evaluation, identifies opportunities for change, assesses available resources, initiates solutions and analyzes outcomes by participating in team and/or local committees and internal and external case conferences. Develops, coordinates and delivers education sessions, presentations to clients, families and staff in collaboration with other members of the interprofessional team. Reviews relevant content and required handouts, conducts literature search, plans and coordinates seminars. Collaborates with appropriate program staff and physicians in the development and delivery of staff and physician education and training related to HIV and Mental Health. Maintains a variety of records such as workload statistics by methods such as recording information into approved formats, collating data, analyzing trends, accounting for variances and recommending an action plan to the Professional Practice Leader, Social Work. Develops research protocols and conducts approved social work and interdisciplinary research and special projects in collaboration with appropriate personnel through methods such as identifying current trends/gaps in literature, writing research proposals/grant applications, following through with research methodology and disseminating research findings. Ensures clinical practices and protocols are consistent with current research findings. Performs other related duties as assigned.