Psychogeriatric Specialist (2024-489-CC)

Program Overview – Community Care
This position supports the Social Work and Full Circle teams and reports to the Manager, Caregiver Wellness & Senior supports. The position provides psycho-social assessments; time limited/goal oriented intensive case management; counselling; and psychoeducation support to older adults and seniors living with geriatric, mental health, addictions, and cognitive issues such as dementia. The incumbent of this position is further responsible for caregiver intervention and support, community outreach, provision of drop-in social work services as well as client accompaniment for medical appointments.

What You Will Do

• Perform psychosocial and/or psychological and geriatric assessments.
• Develop and implement service plan and/or coordinated care plans.
• Provide service/care co-ordination, system navigation, short-term and longer-term planning and follow-up support.
• Provide case management services to clients over a specified period of time, through the development and implementation of a care plan to address their priority and emerging needs.
• Provide clinical and/or supportive counseling to clients utilizing a wide range of therapeutic approaches that best meet the clients’ needs and circumstances.
• Provide preliminary assessment of risk in crisis situations, consult and devise an intervention and action plan, and provide crisis intervention.
• Provide crisis intervention and practical assistance to clients and/or family or caregivers as required in homes and community settings.
• Participate in case conferences and clinical meetings in order to ensure the coordination of services and a continuum of care.
• Provide advocacy support and advocate with clients and/or their family or caregivers.
• Provide coordination between hospitals, service professionals and other referral sources to support clients and facilitate smooth transitions between hospital and community.
• Provide accompaniment to medical appointments as required.
• Link clients and/or their family or caregivers to various community resources, and facilitates appropriate referrals to other community support services as required.
• Facilitate or lead therapeutic/support groups as required.
• Provide client support through social work drop-in clinics.
• Work flexible hours based on the needs of the clients and/or their family or caregivers.
• Provide service that is responsive, culturally and linguistically sensitive to the individual and caregivers needs.
• Engage in ongoing outreach to ensure access to the program.
• Collaborate with community agencies to organize joint health promotion clinics/workshops, when possible.
• Keep current about the range of services available in other agencies.
• Maintain a client caseload as assigned by program manager, plan for and execute discharges in a time-sensitive manner.
• Participate in ongoing training and education.
• Participate in supervision sessions and annual performance appraisals with program manager.
• Maintain appropriate records and documentation in a timely manner and collect statistical data required for the accountability of the program.
• Uphold and consistently incorporates into practice harm reduction, trauma-informed, anti-racism and anti-oppressive principles.
• Perform other duties as assigned by program manager.

What You Bring to the Team

• Masters of Social Work (M.S.W.) or graduate degree in a relevant field.
• Registered Social Worker (R.S.W.) in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) and/or Member in good standing with a Professional College in Ontario.
• 3+ years related experience in mental health, addictions, geriatrics and/or social work. Demonstrated experience working with older adults and seniors with mental health (including dementia) and/or substance use issues, chronic health issues, cognitive impairment, and responsive behaviours is required.
• Personal knowledge and lived experience of issues that affect communities and populations served by WoodGreen is a strong asset.

What Will Set You Apart

• Experience and expertise to support older adult and seniors including individuals who have significant mental health and/or addiction issues, history of trauma, violence/abuse, dementia, cognitive impairments, responsive behaviours, chronic physical health issues, etc.
• Ability in case management, system navigation, service planning, implementation, and coordination, therapeutic or supportive counselling.
• Experience working effectively in a multi-disciplinary team or as a team member in collaboration with other community professionals.
• Proven working knowledge of theories of addiction, evidence-based treatment models and best practice approaches.
• Knowledge of and experience with a brief therapy modality, such as Narrative, Solution-Focused, Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy), etc.
• Knowledge of issues affecting older adults/geriatric populations, mental health, addictions, health sector, and community resources, policies, legislation, programs, and other issues related to scope of practice and social determinant of health.
• Solid understanding of the intersectionality of systemic barriers and social determinants of health, including racism, discrimination, and oppression.
• Demonstrated experience in group facilitation (therapeutic and psycho-social).
• Strong assessment, clinical and intervention skills.
• Effective oral, written communication skills and documentation skills.
• Effective interpersonal, time management and organizational skills.
• Proven ability to apply and practice Anti-Oppression, Anti-Racism, Trauma-Informed and Harm Reduction principles, and strategies.
• Applied computer skills (MS word, excel, Internet) and ability to use client information systems.
• Ability to communicate in a second language (Greek, Spanish, Bengali, Urdu, Tamil, Farsi, Tagalog, Arabic, Mandarin, or Cantonese) is a strong asset.

WoodGreen is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free selection process and work environment. If contacted in relation to an employment opportunity, please advise our People & Culture representatives at [email protected] of the accommodation measures required. Information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially.