Medical Social Worker (temp contract - mat leave)

RESPONSIBILITES AND DUTIES:

• Provide counselling support to community members and families. Delivering holistic counselling that respects and integrates the cultural values and practices of our KO communities/individual community members.
• May also provide brief, client-centered, crisis counselling and support via video, phone, and other digital platforms, ensuring accessibility for clients.
• Utilize extensive knowledge of regional and community resources, mental health services, and social supports to connect clients with appropriate wrap-around services tailored to their unique needs.
• Conduct thorough psychosocial assessments of patients, as well as other assessments to outline strengths and needs. Assist community members in developing individualized care plans based on their needs.  Support setting realistic goals to guide clients towards meeting their own holistic needs.
• Whenever possible offer immediate support and stabilization during crises, assessment/management of risk, stabilization and the developing safety plans with community members and their circle of care, connecting clients to urgent resources as needed.
• Advocate for clients’ needs, ensuring they receive the necessary support and navigating complex systems to facilitate access to services. Coordinate care, collaborate and refer to community/regional resources or specialists.
• Develop therapeutic processes to guide community members in the development of skills and strategies for dealing with their challenges. Uses trauma-informed best practices.
• Promote harm reduction strategies.
• Evaluate community member’s progress regularly and adjust interventions as necessary to meet their needs.
• Engage in ongoing training and development to stay informed about best practices and emerging trends in patient care and mental health.
• Maintain accurate, factual, and objective records in the case management system in a timely manner on all aspects of clinical care. Complete reports as required.
• Protect confidentiality, secure all records, and maintain integrity of the client/community members’ records.
• Follow Duty to Report requirements as necessary.
• Provide regular updates to K.O. Mental Health Program Supervisor, Health Director, and Chief and Council.
• Participate in regular supervision meetings to review all cases/issues, receive education and direction, and for debriefing.
• Participate in ongoing education in all areas of mental wellness and health team meetings.
• Potential travel to KO communities to provide education, counselling, support/guidance, intervention, etc. as required. Often by small aircraft.
• Potential travel to other K.O. office sites as needed (i.e. Balmertown, Sioux Lookout, Dryden, Winnipeg).
• Other duties that may be deemed necessary by your supervisor or the Executive Team.

ACCOUNTABILITY

This position reports to the Mental Health Program Supervisor and all Health Staff report to the Director of Health.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree with a major in Social Work, Counselling Psychology, or a related field. And/or experience with traditional counselling and spiritual healing practices. 
• Registration with the College of Social Workers, College of Registered Psychotherapists or another recognized professional body is required; or the ability to be registered within one year of employment.
• A minimum of 2 years’ experience working in a clinical capacity. Knowledge of healthcare systems.
• Knowledge of techniques and principles of trauma-informed care, the family systems theory, crisis therapy intervention, individual/family/group therapy, trauma response, child abuse and family violence, addictions and harm reduction strategies, de-escalation strategies, suicide intervention strategies, and understanding of cognitive behavioral therapy and/or other relevant techniques.
• Must have experience in assessing high risk clients and responding appropriately.
• Knowledge of mandatory reporting requirements.
• Can approach work holistically using a wellness model, highlighting, and encouraging community members’ strengths.
• Support system and self-care strategies in place to maintain own well-being.
• Strong interpersonal skills to establish and maintain rapport and effectively communicate with community members and resource partners.
• Excellent verbal, written and computer skills.
• Strong interviewing, analytical, problem-solving, organizational and time management skills.
• Self-starter who can take initiative, work both independently and as part of a team and is highly adaptable.
• Knowledge of First Nation culture, history, community-based services, geographic realities, and social conditions within remote First Nations communities particularly in a regional context is considered an asset.
• Knowledge of traditional Indigenous healing, medicines or ceremonies is considered an asset.
• Previous experience working with First Nations communities is an asset.
• Ability to communicate in one of the First Nations dialects from the K.O. communities is an asset.
• Provide a criminal record check and clear vulnerable sector search.

• A valid Class “G” Driver’s License.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The employee may perform other related duties as required to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.