POSITION: Social Worker
DEPARTMENT: Clinical Services
RESPONSIBLE TO: Director of Clinical Services
Reporting to the Director of Clinical Services, the Social Worker is responsible for planning, developing and implementing services to meet the emotional and social needs for our residents and their families that are in keeping with the philosophy of RK MacDonald Nursing Home and its established policies and procedures.
This will involve assessing resident’s needs, and planning, implementing and documenting Social Work services while working as part of a multi-disciplinary team. All services provided are in accordance with residents’ personal choice and preferences with the aim of achieving excellence in the care and well-being of those living in the RK MacDonald community.
As an employee of the RK Mac Donald Nursing Home every person has a responsibility to be involved in providing a stimulating environment for the residents. In keeping with our Mission, Vision and Core Values and our philosophy of Resident Centered Care, the Social Worker, as a partner in the provision of care and support of our Residents, represents the home in a positive, professional, efficient and confidential manner.
Key Responsibilities
1. Reviews applications for admission and coordinates admissions to the Home. Obtains and documents personal and family histories upon admission. Orients residents/families to Home and its philosophy.
2. Prepares for and participates in Resident Care Conferences. Consults with family prior to review and invites residents’ families as appropriate. Identifies social/emotional needs and takes appropriate action in consult with the Health Care team.
3. Develops and maintains liaison with the recreational and community resources.
4. Participates in departmental and staff committee meetings. Maintains records, and documents interventions on charts. Submits a monthly report to the Director of Clinical Services.
5. Coordinates discharge planning.
6. Provides in-service instruction.
7. Provides individual consulting and group services to residents and their families. Acts as a consultant to residents vis-à-vis financial and/or personal problems.
8. Supervises student practicum and participates in community education and research.
9. Develops resources to meet the social and emotional needs of our residents and their families.
10. Participates in the Home’s Continuous Quality Indicator and Strategic Planning programs.
11. Performs other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications: Education, Training and Experience
- Minimum of 3 years recent experience in a Long Term Care setting, geriatric and/or Community setting
- B.S.W. or recognized equivalent from an accredited School of Social Work
- Member of, or eligible for, membership with the Nova Scotia College Social Workers (NSCSW)
- Eligible for registration with the Nova Scotia Association of Social Workers.
- The Social Worker adheres to the NS Board Registration for Social Workers Code of Ethics and the Canadian Association of Social Workers Standards of Practice.
- Safety courses such as, BCLS, CPR, CPI and WHIMIS
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Ability to organize, develop and initiate ideas and programs.
- Commitment to working in an interdisciplinary approach.
- Demonstrate good communication skills, verbally and in writing.
- Demonstrated physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
- Good attendance
- Alzheimer and Related Dementia course
- Criminal Records check including Vulnerable Sector Search
Skills and Abilities
- Ability to work under minimal supervision.
- Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to deal with others effectively.
- Ability to organize and prioritize workload.
- Ability to recognize needs and develop appropriate resources to meet social/emotional needs.
- Ability to empathize with elderly, emotionally and/or physically handicapped persons. Maturity and dependability required to gain resident, families and staff confidence.
- Ability to deal with confidential matters in a professional manner.
Professional Accountability
- Carries out assessments, plan implementation, plan evaluation and education in accordance with RK policies and procedures
- Conducts self within legal/ethical/professional obligations and requirements.
- Performs beyond entry level competencies Works as a champion of resident centered care.
- Respects the individuality, autonomy and confidentiality of the resident and ensures the resident is treated respectfully and uses a person-centered approach involving shared decision making and responsibility with the resident and Substitute Decision Maker.
- Demonstrates professional integrity and a commitment to the well-being of all residents.
- Engages in professional development and lifelong learning activities.
- Orientation of new employees and mentoring /preceptoring of new and existing employees as appropriate.
- Acts as a mentor / preceptor for student clinical internships.
Communication and Collaboration
- Establishes and maintains effective communication with residents, relevant others and professional colleagues.
- Maintains an accurate account of care given through clear, concise, written and verbal communication and evaluates, communicates and documents resident response to care in a timely manner.
- Develops and maintains information systems to ensure appropriate access to accurate, objective and relevant information about the resident.
- Collaborates, partners, and communicates with the resident, family, and external service providers when there is a difference between the care plan and the wants, needs and abilities of the resident.
- Demonstrates effective collaboration and inter-professional teamwork by consulting and sharing information with other health professionals, family and community organizations in a timely manner, provided resident consent is obtained where required, to ensure comprehensive, safe service delivery.
- Facilitate admission planning and transitions across the health care continuum, ensuring the resident’s needs are met in appropriate setting.
- Participation in staff meetings or working group meetings.
- Participation in and /or leadership of program planning, research, continuous quality improvement initiatives, committees, staff education, safety initiatives, and accreditation as requested.
- Demonstrates effective verbal and non-verbal communication abilities to prevent adverse events.
- Communicates effectively in special high-risk situations to ensure the safety of residents.
Other Related Duties
- Other duties as assigned by Director of Clinical Services.
Judgement and Initiative
Identifies the need for and coordinates Social Work services to maintain and enhance the emotional and social performance and engagement of the resident.
- Continuously engages in critical thinking, and evaluates plan of care and makes revisions to plan as necessary in consultation and collaboration with the resident, his/her support system and other members of the health care team.
- Articulates rationale for decisions that are based on clinical best practice, current theory and research
- Intervenes when standards of practice are violated or not upheld.
- Refers to appropriate professionals for issues beyond the profession’s scope of practice and the individual’s personal competence.
- Seeks direction or assistance from other health care professionals as required.
Safety (resident, worker & workplace)
Demonstrates good stewardship in the identification, reporting & mitigation of unsafe acts or conditions
- Contribute to a culture of resident safety.
- Work in teams for resident safety.
- Communicate effectively for resident safety.
- Manage safety risks.
- Optimize human and environmental factors.
