Social Worker, Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD)

Fraser Health • Burnaby, BC

18d • $42 - $53

About The Position

As an integral member of the community Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) consultation team, provides care coordination and support for patients/residents/clients (clients) and their families, and educational support for health care staff. Provides leadership and applies specialized theory and knowledge relating to palliative care and end-of-life client populations to promote the delivery of safe, ethical and quality care related to medical assistance in dying. Acts as a clinical resource by providing consultation support to the client and family, interdisciplinary care team, and other professionals, and when no other supports are in place, psychosocial support to client and family. Provides advice and guidance to health care team members on how to integrate the support of clients seeking assisted dying into practice. Participates in direct client and family care when required.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Social Work from an approved School of Social Work.
• Two (2) years' recent, related experience in a complex health care environment such as a community or acute setting, or an equivalent combination of social work education, training and experience.
• Current full registration with the BC College of Social Workers and a valid BC Driver's license and access to personal vehicle for business-related purposes.
• Knowledge and understanding of counseling skills and clinical practice models as it relates to individuals, families, groups and end-of-life care.
• Understanding of legislation and practice standards surrounding medical assistance in dying.
• Understanding of supports required for client, families and staff through the death process in a variety of settings.
• Extensive knowledge of MAiD legislation, Adult Guardianship legislation, the Mental Health Act and the Patients Property Act and the interaction between legislative acts and the tools associated with each Act.
• Knowledge of the mandates and policies of other government ministries and agencies such as Ministry of Health, the Coroners Service and the Public Guardian Trustee.
• Ability to conduct social and psychosocial assessments.
• Ability to provide clinical leadership and work direction.
• Ability to work effectively with others including working effectively in a multicultural environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Understanding of 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 services.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to develop and maintain rapport with others.
• Ability to effectively manage workload in an environment with constantly changing priorities.
• Ability to problem solve and troubleshoot in a variety of situations.
• Ability to effectively deal with conflict including the ability to work effectively with others.
• Ability to operate related equipment including applicable software applications.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

Responsibilities

• Receives patient/client (client) referrals and gathers information from a variety of referral sources. Identifies priority of service(s) required, and refers to physician or nurse practitioner for consultation as required. Collaborates with other team members and recommends alternative services/resources as needed.
• Coordinates the necessary steps for a client to pursue a medically assisted death, including coordinating volunteer witnesses as may be necessary, and in all cases the assessments for and provision of medical assistance in dying with client's most responsible providers, assessors, prescribers, support nurses, local teams, pharmacy and family.
• Provides comprehensive therapeutic and clinical counseling services including grief and bereavement services to clients seeking medically assisted death, and to families experiencing complicated circumstances related to end-of-life issues.
• Acts as a clinical resource by providing consultation and clinical support to the interdisciplinary care team including students. Collaborates as needed with other health care professionals internal and external to the organization.
• Provides education regarding medical assistance in dying to health care teams, clinicians, clients, and families, ensuring the use of current adult education theories and principles. Assists in the development of and maintains education materials based on learning theories and best practices to assist with the enhancement of client and family teaching.
• When necessary, travels to facilities and client homes to provide education and or other support or participate with assessment or provision in accordance with College, organizational and professional standards, protocols and restrictions.
• As necessary, coordinates supplies for Prescribers and Support nurses.
• As necessary, provides formal and informal consultation to community interdisciplinary health team members and students across Fraser Health (FH) by collaborating to problem solve clinical cases and providing guidance/knowledge in the management of a client or client group.
• Collaborates with other health authorities and agencies to transfer patients effectively within the province or within Canada.
• Supports direct care team when required, according to approved care/treatment plan; assesses client's progress. Attends client specific care conferences to review and revise care plans related to medical assistance in dying.
• Collaborates with health care professionals in the identification and resolution of ethical dilemmas relating to clients, family, staff or students as needed.
• Implements and evaluates clinical protocols and clinical practice documents/ guidelines. Promotes the development of evidence informed best practices and research utilization relating to the care of the specialized client population.
• Facilitates and enhances inter-agency/community relationships by providing information, giving just-in-time education, developing communication linkages and assisting in the resolution of care issues.
• Facilitates case reviews and debriefs for all assisted deaths. Participates in ongoing program evaluation by providing input on care issues, program effectiveness and administrative decisions.
• Facilitates quality improvement projects. Integrates quality improvement principles and activities into interprofessional practice. Identifies unit and organizational opportunities (e.g. rounds, communities of practice, journal clubs) and resources to support knowledge sharing. Shares relevant quality improvement and research findings with the team. Collaborates with the team to change practices in response to quality improvement and research findings.
• Assists the Leader by providing input related to identifying systems for improving resource utilization, providing input into budget/staff allocation and assisting in workload decision-making as needed. Participates in the selection and ongoing monitoring and follow up of the work of staff.
• Identifies areas for improvement in practice, brings forth recommendations and evaluates effect of changes in practice. Assists with developing procedures and standard operating procedures for the program. Participates on designated professional committees that promote improvements to client care and the efficient and safe delivery of services.
• Applies a research approach to problem solving and supports the research culture through methods such as promoting team awareness and involvement in research activities, reviewing relevant literature/resources, identifying issues/practices which require research, and promoting use of research findings in clinical practice.
• Develops research proposals and conducts approved social work interdisciplinary research, mental health research and special projects in collaboration with the Leader and other health care professionals, through methods such as writing research proposals, developing and monitoring budgets, collecting data, integrating and interpreting data, summarizing information, and disseminating research findings.
• Sets measurable personal performance goals in collaboration with the Leader for professional development such as, updating own knowledge within area of practice by reviewing current literature and research, identifying new theories, trends and opportunities and developing plan. Reviews progress to ensure that goals are achieved within established timeframes.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Benefits

• Comprehensive, 100% Employer-Paid Benefits: Enjoy peace of mind with full coverage.
• Generous Vacation Time: eligible employees can earn up to four weeks of vacation to recharge and relax.
• Benefit Portability: Seamlessly transfer your benefits from another HEABC employer.
• Immediate Pension Enrollment: Secure your future with a defined municipal pension plan from day one.
• Maternity Top-Up: Receive an 87% top-up during maternity leave.
• TransLink Pass Subsidy: Save on commuting costs with a 50% subsidy on TransLink passes
• Additional employee discounts and perks available

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees