Social Worker, Overdose Outreach Team (OOT) - Indigenous

Fraser Health•Mission, BC

15h•Remote

About The Position

Within the context of a client and family centred care model and in accordance with the vision and values of the organization, the Social Worker is responsible for providing clinical and consultative short term case management and social work services to priority clients and their natural supports within the Fraser Health (FH) Overdose Outreach Team (OOT). Within the context of an Indigenous health care approach, the Social Worker provides culturally appropriate and comprehensive harm reduction services and therapeutic clinical counseling to First Nations, Metis and Inuit clients and their natural supports, which includes conducting comprehensive social work and psychosocial assessments of clients and their natural supports using a variety of assessment tools to provide services. Participates on local committees and planning bodies to identify areas of improvement in the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery to enhance client care services and reduce service gaps. Primarily the work is done on an outreach basis to meet the needs of the clients and to provide integration and continuity across the care continuum. The Social Worker plays a central role as a liaison, and an education resource and partner to Indigenous community agencies a such as First Nations Health Authority and Metis Nation BC and throughout FH. This position will facilitate connections between Indigenous clients and service providers to enhance access to Fraser Health services, with a culturally appropriate approach.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from an approved school of Social Work.
Current full registration with the BC College of Social Workers.
Two (2) years recent, related experience in a complex healthcare environment such as a community harm reduction setting including one (1) year experience working with Indigenous clients who have been systematically marginalized with multiple health issues or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Valid B.C. driver’s license and access to a personal vehicle for business-related purposes.
Current First Aid and CPR Level C.
Knowledge of Indigenous health approaches, protocol and cultural issues.
Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of emotional, mental health and contemporary social issues relative to the Indigenous community.
Knowledge of the principles, practices, and theories of Social Work as applied to Indigenous populations.
Comprehensive knowledge of Indigenous culture and community resources and agencies.
Ability to deliver culturally sensitive services to Indigenous populations.
Demonstrated ability to work with priority and culturally diverse populations related to substance use and the toxic drug-poisoning crisis, including Indigenous and LGBTQ+ communities.
Demonstrated ability to do outreach to non-traditional environments where people gather (i.e. festivals, witness consumption spaces).
Demonstrated orientation to practice that deeply listens to and honours the knowledge of the people we serve, which includes radical allyship with people who use drugs, harm reduction, cultural humility and safety, sex-positive, trauma and resiliency-informed practice.
Knowledge of legislation and government policies and procedures that relate to substance use practices and how they may affect client care, resource access or practice guidelines.
Crisis prevention/intervention, problem-solving skills and conflict resolution/de-escalation skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment as well as capacity to work in partnership with other community agencies with minimal supervision.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with clients, families, team members and community agency personnel.
Ability to operate related equipment including applicable software applications.
Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

Responsibilities

Conducts comprehensive social work and psychosocial assessments, counselling, referral and advocacy for Indigenous clients and their natural supports connected to OOT and OOT related programs/services.
Provides comprehensive therapeutic and crisis intervention services by exploring psychosocial response to identify problems, personal concerns and care objectives. Works with the client, their natural supports, community supports and interdisciplinary team to coordinate services, manage cases and facilitate meetings. Ensures follow up to best support client engagement along the continuum of care.
Provides short term case management services to Indigenous clients. Completes collaborative assessments and responds by coordinating, monitoring and frequently evaluating individualized care plans that address the client’s needs ensuring cultural and whole-body needs are met from an Indigenous approach.
Provides harm reduction education including facilitating access to drug checking resources, episodic overdose prevention (eOPS-Witnessed Consumption), counseling, referrals and support in partnership with other team members.
Builds trusting relationships with people who use substances and their networks to optimize access to community health interventions (e.g. drug checking) and communication (i.e. drug alerts).
Establishes and maintains effective relationships with Indigenous communities and Indigenous social service agencies by facilitating communication and decision-making around client care, and by identifying gaps in services and working with the Toxic Drug Response team to improve services for clients at risk for overdose.
Participates in clinical consultation and education within OOT regarding psychosocial factors affecting Indigenous client care and engagement.
Provides up to date accurate information regarding changes in system navigation ensuring timely and efficient responses to client care needs, including relevant legislative systems applicable to client populations served.
Maintains client records by documenting client referrals and assessments, charting information, preparing progress notes and reports in accordance with established standards, policies and procedures, and in in compliance with regulatory requirements.
Participates in inter-professional planning, evaluation and development of protocols to enhance system processes and resources for clients at risk for overdose.
Collaborates with Indigenous clinical and community agencies to address barriers to Indigenous clients that exacerbate risk. Receives referrals from care management personnel and other members of the interdisciplinary team to assist clients and/or their natural supports with complex emotional or social presentations through the system of care.
Requests and/or attends clinical case conferences for client reviews, consults on new referrals and discusses transition/discharge plans in collaboration with the team and other care providers.
Acts in public relations and advocacy capacity to represent Indigenous clients to medical, care and support staff and other service providers, and to community agencies and their staff by maintaining up to date knowledge of Indigenous health perspectives or approaches.
Provides consultation to staff for the purpose of enhancing knowledge of Indigenous cultures, contemporary social issues and health beliefs.
Provides information on social and health services available in the community for Indigenous people.
Participates in committees that integrate Indigenous health perspectives or approaches with hospital and community programs by providing input and addressing Indigenous client health issues.
Maintains a variety of documentation and records. Collects and provides requested data to the OOT clinical team as required.
Participates in program evaluation and/or quality improvement by identifying opportunities for change and formulating recommendations to support Indigenous clients and OOT related initiatives.
Performs other related duties as assigned.