Social Service Worker / Social Worker (part-time)

Réseau ACCESS Network

HIV/Hepatitis Health and Social Services

Consumption and Treatment Services

 

Employment Opportunity:

Social Worker/Social Service Worker (0.57 fte – 20 hours weekly)

The Social Worker/Social Service Worker provides in-the-moment, client-centred support, case management and a range of interventions to assist individuals at risk of HIV/HCV.

The position is responsible for the following:

  • Works with appropriate community health/social service providers to ensure appropriate services and implemented.
  • Participates in regular client/member conferences to provide a forum to initiate resolutions to client/member care.
  • Provides comprehensive case management, support and internal/external referral services for program clients/members.
  • Assists in completing forms and needed paperwork (i.e. Ontario Works, ODSP, Trillium, Birth Certificate, tribunal, housing etc…).

The successful candidates:

  1. Required – Social Worker/Social Service Worker in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
  2. Valid proof of vaccinations against COVID-19 using a Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccine
  3. Clear vulnerable sector police record check (conducted in house).
  4. First Aid/CPR-BLS, NVCI, Trauma Informed Care, and Naloxone training.
  5. Uses a trauma informed, culturally safe service delivery for all those accessing services.
  6. Demonstrated knowledge of Indigenous communities and organizations as well as an understanding of the effects of intergenerational trauma on Indigenous persons
  7. Superior communication skills, including written and verbal presentation skills, diplomatic and effective liaison, and interpersonal skills
  8. Knowledge and skills related to working with individuals who may be vulnerable and marginalized, challenges related to trauma, mental health, addictions, and homelessness
  9. Work from a model of anti-racism/anti oppression, sex positivity, and principles of harm reduction
  10. Work from a harm-reduction approach.

 

Bilingual (French/English) candidates or those of Indigenous descent will be given priority consideration for this position if found qualified.

 

The full job description is located on the Réseau ACCESS Network Website at www.reseauaccessnetwork.com. Interested applicants may submit a resume with a cover letter by the closing date of Sunday, February 13th, 2022, to the Executive Director @ [email protected].  Please include “job posting” in subject box. We regret that only those candidates selected for an interview may be contacted.

 

 

614.00             JOB TITLE                    SOCIAL WORKER/SOCIAL SERVICE WORKER

 REPORT AND ACCOUNTABLE TO:      The Executive Director

POSITION PURPOSE:

The Social Worker/Support Services Worker functions as a member of the multidisciplinary Team and provides psycho-social assessment, case management and a range of interventions to assist people living with, affected by, or at risk of HIV and/or Hepatitis C to achieve optimum psycho-social functioning and prevent unnecessary deterioration. This includes counselling, consultation, education and advocacy functions for clients and/or families/ substitute decision makers (SDMs)

 

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Direct Client Services

  1. Works with appropriate health care providers to ensure appropriate treatment and/or care plans are developed, implemented and evaluated.
  2. Monitors client’s progress – including evaluation of, and adjustments to, treatment/care plans, maintains supportive relationship with the client and family members as well as substitute decision makers and links to and coordinates required services while coordinating client care.
  3. Participates as an active member of the Direct Client & Clinical Services Departments’ multidisciplinary team, and acts as a clinical resource consultant, in regular client conferences to provide a forum for discussion of possible resolutions to client care issues and to provide an opportunity to initiate improvements in the quality of service provided to the client.
  4. Provides one-on-one and/or group supportive counselling.
  5. Provides travel accompaniment to registered Agency clients accessing clinical services within or outside of the organization.

 Case Management

  1. Completes social work assessment to identify client psycho-social needs and determine therapeutic treatment goals.
  2. Provides comprehensive case management, support and internal and external referral services for program clients.
  3. Monitors and re-assesses client progress on an ongoing basis, and adjusts goals and treatment program accordingly, to ensure that assessment needs are realized.
  4. Manages service delivery in conjunction with the treatment team, clients, their family members and substitute decision makers, and other service providers/agencies, via telephone, home visiting, office visiting, and written conferences
  5. Assists in completing forms and needed paperwork (i.e. Ontario Works, ODSP, Trillium, Birth Certificate, tribunal, housing etc…).
  6. Advocates on behalf of service users for better services.
  7. Assists with preparation of service user related social gatherings.
  8. Refers to appropriate health care provider, to offer educational health and treatment information.
  9. Uses sound professional judgment and acts in accordance with all Réseau ACCESS Network policies and procedures and standards of practice set forth by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW)

 Practical Assistance

  1. As per established guidelines, facilitate practical support assistance (i.e. food bank, bus tickets, trillium deductible and the holiday hampers).
  2. Accompany clients needing additional supports to medical appointments. Staff must have completed their “G” licence and have a good driving record, be covered under the Agency’s vehicle insurance, or have appropriate insurances if using their own vehicles.

 Outreach and Support

  1. Provide ongoing home visits for housebound and hard to reach registered clients.
  2. Provide hospital/jail visits as requested/needed by registered clients.

Enhance Partnerships

  1. Participate to community committees (as needed) established to enhance services for mutual clients.
  2. Participate in networking opportunities through the Northern Case Managers’ Support Link.
  3. Act as spokesperson for clients on issues of HIV/HCV to community partners.

   Administration

  1. Protects client privacy and confidentiality in accordance with legislation, Réseau ACCESS Network policies, and standards established by OCSWSSW
  2. Maintains clinical records and documents client assessment findings, goals, treatment plans, and interventions in accordance with professional standards of practice.
  3. Performs administrative tasks as related to the position. This includes activities such as time planning, documentation, report preparation and other duties as required.
  4. Participates in regular program review and evaluation with a continuous quality improvement focus and recommend appropriate changes to the Executive Director.
  5. Develop and maintain client on-line files and database including contact information, activities and client service history, ensuring these are secure and confidential.
  6. Ensure that all necessary reports are completed and submitted to the appropriate sources meeting set deadlines (i.e. OCASE, OCHART, LINK2Feed, etc).
  7. Assist in the development and implementation of policies and procedures set out by the Board of Directors of Réseau ACCESS Network.
  8. Participate in Provincial networking opportunities with peer Social Workers/Social Service Workers.
  9. Participate as a team member in all team functions – program planning, team meetings, department meetings, and case conferences.
  10. In consultation with the Executive Director, arrange for knowledge transfer to staff and contribute to the overall day to day running of the agency.

 Responsibilities to:     Executive Director

  1. Compile and submit activity reports and pertinent statistics as requested.
  2. Meet regularly with the Executive Director to keep them fully informed on program developments, problems successes and activities.

Other:

  1. Contributes to a safe and healthy environment by following safe work procedures, reporting injuries, illnesses, and unsafe working conditions
  2. Maintain and develop professional competence and learning.
  3. Perform other related duties as assigned by the Executive Director
  4. Assist with the regular upkeep of Réseau ACCESS Network offices.

Qualifications

  • BSW or MSW preferred or undergraduate degree/certificate from a recognized university / college.
  • Minimum two years’ experience providing case management with individuals with a chronic disease and issues relating to mental health and substance use.
  • Must hold a current membership certificate with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, or eligibility for membership with designated College.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of Indigenous communities, cultures, perspectives and organizations as well as an understanding of the effects of intergenerational trauma on Indigenous persons.
  • Strong knowledge of issues affecting marginalized communities.
  • Thorough knowledge and understanding of the local health and social service sector, government programs and current legislation that may affect clients.
  • Demonstrated ability to work under pressure, to anticipate potential problems/conflicts and take appropriate actions and to meet deadlines.
  • Excellent interpersonal, presentation and communication skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a team member within an evolving role in a multidisciplinary environment.
  • Excellent advocacy and negotiation skills.
  • Thorough knowledge and experience of HIV/ Hepatitis and harm reduction, addictions and mental health considered an asset.

 

  • Bilingual (French/English) candidates or those of Indigenous descent will be given priority consideration for this position if found qualified.

 Skills

  • High level of comfort with diverse populations (i.e. sexual orientation, gender identity, substance use) with varying levels of comprehension and language capability
  • Strong interviewing and assessment skills.
  • Able to work independently
  • Self-directed and able to take initiative.
  • Strong one on one and group counselling skills.
  • Strong decision-making skills.
  • Ability to speak openly and frankly about sexuality in a supportive, non-judgmental manner.
  • Excellent communication skills (oral, aural and written).
  • Strong collaboration skills to manage service delivery in conjunction with the treatment team, clients, their family members or substitute decision makers, and other health care professionals
  • Creativity and innovation may be required to create/ modify an existing strategy or intervention technique to suit the individual needs of clients

Working Conditions 

  • Work requires a high degree of analysis, independent judgment, and mental challenge when developing solutions to improve psycho-social functioning, prevent unnecessary deterioration, and promote client independence
  • Physical requirements include the dexterity to reach, stand, squat, twist, lift light loads, and the ability to do sedentary work.
  • Must be flexible to work evenings and weekends.
  • Must be able to work in a variety of settings (home settings, jail, and other agencies).
  • Overtime compensated by time off in lieu.
  • Access to a vehicle with valid driver’s license and appropriate work-related insurance coverage.

 

LIENS – HIV | HEP C – LINKS

website ASO411

phone 1.705.688.0500 (local)

phone 1.800.465.2437 (toll-free)

 

website  CATIE – Hepatitis C & HIV Info

phone 1.800.263.1638

 

website  Canadian AIDS Society

phone 1.800.668.2437

 

website  HIV Legal Network

phone  416.595.1666

 

website  Community Drug Strategy

 

website  ConnexOntario

phone  Drug & Alcohol 1.800.565.8603 

phone  Mental Health 1.866.531.2600

 

website  Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance

phone  1.800.839.0369

 

website  HALCO - HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic ON

phone  1-888-705-8889

 

website  LGBT Youth Hotline

phone  1.800.268.YOUTH

 

website  Ontario AIDS Network

phone  1.800.839.0369

 

website Ontario HIV Treatment Network

phone  1.877.743.6486

 

website SWANS

 

website  WHAI

 

website  World Hepatitis Alliance