Indigenous Social Worker, Mhsu

1. As a member of an interprofessional team provides social work services for clients, families, service providers, and community agencies to enhance service delivery through consultation, development of a recovery care plan and forwarding necessary information to appropriate community services/agencies.
2. Supports the intake process and periods of transition, such as discharge from hospital. Assesses client needs by gathering client information/history; seeking additional background information to perform assessments of client mental health status and risk and to determine priority of care, client eligibility, availability of resources, service priorities and type/level of care required; collaborating with the interdisciplinary team to determine best approach to care.
3. Participates in an interprofessional team, bridging Indigenous Health and Mental Health and Substance Use, referring Indigenous clients to appropriate services, as eligible.
4. Develops and implements recovery-oriented care plans in collaboration with clients, other service providers and natural supports; provides comprehensive case consultation and follow-up support on treatment decisions in collaboration with other interdisciplinary team members; supports the development/maintenance of abilities related to activities of daily living and transition of care. Updates the Coordinator on the status of client treatment and progress, as well as significant and unusual issues, developments, and circumstances.
5. Encourages informed decision-making, personal growth and learning, empowering the client to improve their quality of life.
6. Acts as the point of contact to assist with health system navigation and liaises with programs and services across Fraser Health as well as community partners.
7. Advocates on behalf of clients, by providing clients with information about appeal processes, liaises with relevant Ministries and assisting clients to complete forms, acts as a resource in system navigation to clients and their families.
8. Willingness to share cultural teachings and worldviews with team and other colleagues. Provides information on social and health services available in the community for Indigenous people. Participates in committees that integrate Indigenous Health and community programs by providing input and addressing Indigenous Health issues.
9. Provides information, interpretation and guidance to general public, agencies, Boards, etc. on Acts and Regulations applicable to social work practices and functions.
10. Reviews and adapts relevant information material.
11. Participates in ongoing education to maintain current and relevant practice, including clinical education, as well as maintaining current knowledge of Federal and Provincial legislation and amendments that impact mental health and substance use client care and service delivery.
12. Provides follow-up care and services as required, including providing referrals to other healthcare professionals, such as Vocational Counsellors, Recreational Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Psychiatrists.
13. Provides orientation, guidance, and collegial information or demonstration of equipment or work methods and processes to others including peers, new staff, and students. Provides instruction and/or supervision to students; evaluates and provides feedback on student progress. May provide work direction to support staff.
14. Maintains related records, documentation and statistics. Prepares reports as required, and in accordance with established standards and procedures.
15. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education, Training & Experience
Minimum bachelor’s degree in Social Work from an accredited School of Social Work with two (2) years’ recent, related social work experience in a mental health setting, hospital or community, including one year of experience working with Indigenous people or communities.

Current full registration with the BC College of Social Workers.

Lived experience and/or knowledge of Indigenous health approaches, cultural protocols, historical and contemporary issues and impacting health outcomes.

Valid BC Driver’s Licence and access to personal vehicle for business related purposes.

Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated client assessment and case management skills.
• Working knowledge of DSM V Multiaxial Diagnosis.
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of emotional, mental health and contemporary social issues relative to Indigenous communities.
• Ability to provide consultation to patients, families and healthcare professionals.
• Ability to make effective referrals, reflecting in-depth knowledge of community resources and strong collaborative skills in working with hospital, community, MHSU and health and social agency personnel.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and theories of Social Work/Clinical Counselling as applied to Indigenous populations.
• Ability to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate.
• Ability to organize and problem solve.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, while seeking the appropriate level of consultation and approval from the Coordinator.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated teaching skills.
• Ability to deal effectively with individuals, groups, and other professionals within a interprofessional environment in a diverse community.
• Ability to prioritize workload, keep accurate records and write reports.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Indigenous culture and community resources and agencies.
• Ability to deliver culturally safe and respectful services to Indigenous populations.
• Knowledge of Indigenous perspectives of health and wellness, cultural practices and protocols.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
• Ability to operate related equipment, including personal computers and related software.

Fraser Health is the heart of health care for over two million people in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley in British Columbia, Canada, on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux Nations and is home to 32 First Nations within the Fraser Salish region.

People - those we care for and those who care for them - are at the heart of everything we do. Our hospital and community-based services are delivered by a team of 48,000+ staff, medical staff and volunteers.

We are committed to planetary health and value diversity in the work force. We strive to maintain an environment of respect, caring and trust. Fraser Health’s hiring practices aspire to ensure all individuals are treated in an inclusive, equitable and culturally safe manner.

Together, we are the heart of health care.

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