Social Worker, In-Patient Psychiatry

Detailed Overview

The Social Worker provides clinical social work counselling services to patients and families in the clinical specialty area within Psychiatry. 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, advocacy, coordination, brokerage, and pre-placement visits. Develops, coordinates, and delivers in-services, presentations, psycho-educational and support groups. Initiates, develops and carries out, research activities in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team. Responsibilities Provides comprehensive therapeutic clinical counselling services to patients suffering acute episodes of mental illness and their families, community supports, and interdisciplinary treatment teams to coordinate services, manage cases, and facilitate meetings.

Conducts comprehensive social work and psychosocial assessments of patients suffering acute episodes of mental illness and substance misuse/dependence, and families by 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. 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 in conjunction with BC Schizophrenia Society by providing educational and support services and by reviewing and evaluating the program and providing feedback regarding potential improvements. Maintains patient records by 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.

Maintains a key role in planning for care during the hospital stay, and facilitating optimal discharge planning by interviewing the patient and/or family to assess and determine a care plan and type of service required, as a member of an integrated, interdisciplinary team. Articulates 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 utilizations of patient resources.

Communicates/collaborates with mental health and related community service agencies and family physicians by collaborating in the assessment and management of individuals at risk, making referrals to appropriate resources when longer term treatment of follow up is required and exchanging relevant information. Provides formal liaison service to the Mental Health Centre by attendance at weekly rounds. Acts as resource to patients and their families by 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 to strengthen families.

Participates as a member of the mental health program and local committees and planning bodies by engaging in program/practice evaluation, identifying opportunities for change, assessing available resources, initiating solutions,…