Social Work - Okotoks, Canada - Foothills Country Hospice Society

Description

Position Summary:

As a member of an interdisciplinary team, the Social Work & Grief Support Lead provides a range of social work services and grief support to clients and their loved ones.

This position is primarily responsible for providing psychosocial services when required for hospice residents and their families, which include genograms, end of life planning and selection of service provider, case/family conferences, anticipatory grief counselling, and other supports as requested.

Also responsible for facilitating the bereavement support program through providing one to one counselling and group therapy.

Familiarity with federal, provincial and community resources is required.

The Social Work & Grief Support Lead is responsible for ensuring that their practice meets the requirements under the Health Professions Act and the Alberta College of Social Workers' standards of practice.

Social Work is to meet with residents and families within the first 3 days of their arrival to hospice.

Liaise closely with the hospice multidisciplinary team and practice in accordance with established policies, procedures, and standards ensuring resident and family safety is a priority.

Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.


Position Responsibilities Include:

• Promotes the mission, vision, values, and adheres to policies of Foothills Country Hospice Society (FCHS), while interacting with residents, loved ones, employees, and the community.
• Aid families/loved ones with the grief process by developing, facilitating, and participating in the bereavement followup program. Work with, support, and supervise volunteers who assist in grief/bereavement support programs.
• Facilitation of FCHS's Grief Support Program through providing one to one counselling and group therapy.
• Complete psychosocial assessments including genograms, history of significant life experiences, clarify information the resident has or would like to know related to their illness, inquire about life goals, and create a plan to meet unmet goals.
• Work directly with the resident and members of their social network to deal with psychosocial stressors such as anxiety, guilt, fear or sadness through counselling, education, or shortterm psychological techniques.
• When required, arranging family meetings, case conferences, team conferences to address complex needs or issues, interventions, emotional support, advocacy, referrals, counselling.
• When required, work directly with resident's families to ensure certain needs such as food, housing, and transportation are met if needed.
• When required, assist in formalizing and implementing advance care planning documents: personal directives, enduring power of attorneys, wills, and end of life wishes.
• When required, provide resources to address the following: finances, forms (pre & post death), end of life services, and legal contacts.
• Provide formal support (mentoring and presenting) as well as informal assistance to the interdisciplinary team and volunteers.
• Collaborates and liaises with other professional disciplines (community physicians, agencies, and clergy) to enhance the continuity of care to clients, family, volunteers, and employees.
• Charting in database management system for clients served.
• Participates in Quarterly Improvement Committee meetings.
• Complete monthly/quarterly reports for the Executive Director.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work
• Valid registration with the Alberta College of Social Workers
• Minimum 3 years' experience in Health Care
• Palliative Care experience preferred
• Palliative Care experience in working with diverse populations preferred
• Experience working in a nonprofit environment is an asset
• Experience with grief and bereavement support preferred
• Demonstrate excellent communication and organizational skills
• Demonstrates ability to work independently with mínimal supervision
• Must have working knowledge of video conferencing software (e.g. Zoom, Skype, Google Meet)
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Demonstrated comfort using and adapting to new technologies required for program delivery

Working Conditions:

• Reporting Line: Executive Director
• Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes, (1) parttime Social Worker
• Hours of Work: 1.0 FTE 40 hours/week flexibility available, however working hours include days, with some evenings and weekends)
• Ability to work in a diversity of settings, ability to travel, and a current, valid driver's license required
• Ability to work in a shared office environment

This position requires the individual to be compliant with the FCHS's privacy and confidentiality Policies and Procedures; and to be compliant with all Privacy Legislation (FOIP, HIA, PIPA) relevant to FCHS.

At Foothills Country Hospice Society, we want all our employees, residents, visitors, and volunteers to feel valued, app