Job Description:

In accordance with the Vision, Purpose, and Values, and strategic direction of the Vancouver Island Health Authority (Island Health), patient safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone; as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

Reporting to the Manager of Palliative and End of Life Care (P&EOLC), and as a member of the interdisciplinary Palliative Outreach Resource Team (PORT), the PORT Social Worker (SW) works collaboratively to provide assessment, care planning, intervention, consultation and referral for services. The PORT SW uses a harm reduction, trauma-informed client-centred approach. The PORT SW works with the team to serve clients and their caregivers/families who may have social, economic, emotional or psychological factors and experience barriers to care and/or an optimum level of function.

The PORT SW collaborates with interdisciplinary teams across the care continuum as well as community partners and agencies to achieve excellence in psychosocial palliative and end of life care for the population served by PORT. This will be accomplished through direct care, assessments, collaboration with other teams and services and evaluating services for individuals and families receiving services. Records appropriate client information and collects required program statistics. Maintains knowledge of and contributes to current theory and practice in Palliative and End of Life Care and Equity Informed Care.

Travel is a requirement of this position. Transportation arrangements must meet the operational requirements of the Vancouver Island Health Authority in accordance with the service assignment and may require the use of a personal vehicle.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education, Training And Experience

Bachelor of Social Work Degree from a recognized university. Two (2) years of recent related experience in palliative care, working with the structurally vulnerable population. An equivalent combination of training and experience may be considered.

Current full registration with the BC College of Social Workers.

Working knowledge and familiarity with various community-based health and human services.

Valid BC Driver's license.

Skills And Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of counselling skills and clinical practice models as it relates to individuals, families and groups
• Demonstrated knowledge in the field of palliative care
• Demonstrated ability to conduct social and psychosocial assessments
• Demonstrated knowledge of harm reduction practice and trauma-informed practice
• Demonstrated counselling skills, including crisis, loss and grief counselling
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with social service programs including eligibility criteria and process for client access.
• Ability to work effectively with others including cultural safety and cultural humility
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary team, and understanding the scope of practice of other health care disciplines
• Ability to make effective referrals, reflecting in-depth knowledge of community resources and strong collaborative skills in working with other community agencies
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with clients, families, other members of the health care team, and community agencies
• Demonstrated ability to effectively deal with conflict
• Ability to facilitate group meetings, processes and decision making
• Ability to operate related equipment included related computer software
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position

Job Requirements:

https://jd.viha.ca/JD5319.pdf