COUNSELLOR

City of Toronto • Toronto, ON

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The City’s Seniors Services and Long-Term Care Division supports Toronto seniors and residents in long-term care homes to have the healthiest, most fulfilling lives possible through exceptional care and services. Vulnerable individuals who reside in the community are supported through adult day programs, supportive housing services, tenancy support and homemakers and nurses services. CareTO is our brand for the culture change we are investing in for the City’s 10 directly operated long-term care homes. The division values Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence which shape our organizational culture, our priorities, and the experiences of all those who live, work, volunteer, and visit. Reporting to the Manager Resident Services, this position will be responsible for providing intake, assessment, counselling, referral, follow-up and assisting residents and their families with navigating financial programs/resources as required.

Requirements

• Post-Secondary Degree in Social Work or Diploma in Social Service Work.
• Must be currently registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers and be in good standing
• Experience with adults living with complex health and mental health challenges, in either a recognized social service organization, in a long-term care, a continuing care/rehabilitation facility or a hospital setting.
• Considerable experience conducting psychosocial assessments using various clinical assessment tools and creating care plans to address the needs of physically and cognitively compromised residents and their families, while ensuring holistic and person-centered care.
• Considerable experience utilizing therapeutic interventions and facilitating referrals and community linkages to support the psychosocial needs of residents and their families.
• Advanced knowledge of human behaviour, supportive counselling and intervention techniques.
• Ability to evaluate mental status, psycho/social needs and abilities of the individual and to develop realistic long term and short-term plans to assist residents.
• Knowledge of complex health and mental health challenges and how they manifest in congregate institutional settings, such as long-term care.
• Ability to provide supportive, crisis, adjustment and palliative counselling to a diverse resident population, promoting community supports and linkages.
• Ability to deliver a high level of customer service, fiscal accountability, innovation, result orientation and teamwork and work in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team to develop strategies for care planning.
• Ability to develop and coordinate family and resident support sessions.
• Clear and effective verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to prepare, document and present case histories.
• Familiar with Senior Services and Long-Term Care and CareTO Model of Care
• Able to work evenings and weekends.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to support the Toronto Public Service values to ensure a culture that champions equity, diversity and respectful workplaces.

Responsibilities

• Processes applications/referrals from clients.
• Conducts assessments of clients' needs, problems and qualifications for service/assistance.
• Obtains required information from clients, next-of-kin, consults/collaborates with doctors, agencies, etc., as necessary and completes appropriate documentation.
• Provides crisis intervention e.g. emergency situations, etc.
• Determines, develops and recommends courses of action based on legislation, divisional policies and procedures, and the evaluation of functional abilities, degree of urgency, finances, etc.
• Makes calculations for financial assessments and monitors assessments for changes.
• Counsels the individual and/or families as to the best alternatives and/or course of action.
• Assists with or coordinates referrals, provided adjustment/support to new situations through additional counselling, observation and research.
• Provides therapeutic counselling to clients/families re: behaviour, attitude, environment or to provide ongoing support.
• Advocates on behalf of individuals and/or clients.
• Refers individuals and/or clients to internal/external programs, services and agencies to complement, or in place of, City services.
• Co-ordinates referrals for admission to outside agencies, purchased services and City services by preparing forms, writing reports, presenting clients' cases to admission boards and informing involved staff of information necessary for them to prepare for admission (e.g. ensuring accommodations are prepared etc.).
• Monitors individuals' and/or families' progress by additional visits, counselling, discussing any change in status, needs, etc. Liaises with agencies involved (re: clients' attendance, suitability, problems, etc.). Modifies action plan, as required.
• Writes reports and prepares correspondence and maintains case documentation. Documents all information, occurrences etc. and prepares statistics related to case histories.
• Maintains records, charts, clinical reports, files, waiting list, etc. Prepares newsletters for clients/agencies, as necessary.
• Participates in program/design evaluation (e.g. recommendations for: implementation/adaptation/revision/standardization of policies/procedures/workplans; purchase of service from new agencies etc.).
• Participates in case conference meetings to review individuals' and/or families' goals, outstanding needs, program suitability, develop resident careplans, identify expected outcomes.
• Develops and conducts group sessions. Develops objectives and appropriate evaluations of the impact of each session on the client's behaviour, status, etc.
• Develops and co-ordinates seminars, educational, workshops for clients/community agencies, etc. Distributes materials, information etc., as required.
• Consults and co-ordinates client progress with other appropriate staff
• Works as part of a larger team to identify client needs and assist the client in accessing appropriate programs and services.
• Maintains a high level of familiarity with applicable legislation and standards.
• Assists clients in developing a plan of action.
• Plans and implements the initial client assessment, case plan, case plan evaluation, discharge and follow-up.

Benefits

• As a condition of employment with the Senior Services and Long-Term Care Division, selected candidates will be required to provide a satisfactory Police Reference Check (PRC) with vulnerable sector screening, tuberculosis screening and proof of immunization in accordance with the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021 (O.Reg. 246/22).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree