Social Worker, Mental Health Liaison - Masters Degree - Burnaby

Join Our Team as a Catalyst for Positive Change in Substance Use Treatment!

Are you ready to make a profound impact in the field of substance use treatment? We're on the lookout for passionate individuals who hold a Master's Degree in Social Work from an accredited institution, coupled with at least two years of recent, pertinent experience in a substance use/mental health treatment setting.

Fraser Health is responsible for the delivery of hospital and community-based health services to over 1.9 million people in 20 diverse communities from Burnaby to Fraser Canyon on the traditional territories of the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux Nations. Our team of nearly 45,000 medical staff and volunteers is dedicated to serving our patients, families and communities to deliver on our vision: Better health, best in health care.

We invite you to apply today and find out why employees recommend Fraser Health to their friends as an exceptional place to work. We are committed to planetary health, we value diversity in the work force and seek to maintain an environment of Respect, Caring and Trust.

Effective October 26th, 2021, all new hires to Fraser Health will need to have full COVID 19 vaccination (have received a full series of a World Health Organization “WHO” approved vaccine against infection by SARS-COV-2, or a combination of approved WHO vaccines). Please note this applies to all postings, and individual medical exemptions must be approved by the Provincial Health Officer.

1. Provides comprehensive clinical social work services to clients and families within Burnaby Hospital in the specialty area, by methods such as exploring the emotional response to identify problems, personal concerns and treatment objectives and facilitating change in coping style, behaviour, attitude and feelings. Participates with patient, families, community supports and interdisciplinary treatment teams to provide clinical advice, coordinate services, manage cases and facilitate meetings.
2. Provides assessment, short term treatment, and crisis intervention for adults with mental health issues, including adults treated in Emergency, the inpatient unit, and the community, for acute mental illness, such as psychosis, suicide threats/attempts, and substance abuse. Uses a variety of interviewing, counselling, and assessment methods, in accordance with professional standards and clinical policies and practices.
3. Provides referrals, in accordance with established protocols, for mental health clients not requiring hospitalization, to appropriate community treatment alternatives and services, including residential programs (respite, emergency shelters), family therapy, marital and separation counselling, alcohol and drug treatment, victim assistance, employee assistance programs, and private therapy.
4. Develops and provides educational activities that facilitate inpatient care for the purposes of continuing staff education. Organizes or conducts educational sessions to all levels of hospital staff and physicians. Provides psycho-education to patients and families related to mental illness in a culturally sensitive manner.
5. Assists and facilitates with of acute client transfers from Emergency to designated facilities by performing duties such as completing assessments, and coordinating admissions by ensuring completion of required forms and procedures.
6. Accompanies local police on mental health related distress calls and provides assessments using a variety of interviewing, counselling, and assessment methods, in accordance with professional standards and clinical policies and practices.
7. Follows up on mental health related calls made to police by developing care plans for people with mental health concerns in conjunction with police mental health staff; plans for their connection with community services including those that provide appropriate counselling and medication management.
8. Conducts on going education and consultation to local police regarding mental health conditions, available treatments and services that are available. Develops formal and effective relationships between local police and external agencies such as After Hours Mental Health Services and Alcohol & Drug Services.
9. Facilitates groups in coordination with mental health centre staff as needed.
10. Provides leadership and consultative services in the development and evaluation of planning initiatives, policies, care standards and care pathways across Fraser Health.
11. Liaises with hospital and ER staff and the Manager on administrative issues such as hospital policy and procedural changes within the Program and the progress/status of the Service including statistics within the hospital.
12. Compiles program statistics maintains the data base, monitors indicators and provides statistical outcome analysis and recommendations for program improvements. Prepares Annual Report by tabulating data in consultation and collaboration with Team that includes information such as activity summary, annual statistics and future program plan
13. Provides consultative and direct services to patients, families and staff regarding community resources and access to these resources in order to facilitate optimal discharge planning.
14. Maintains patient records by methods such as documenting patient assessments, charting patient information, preparing progress notes and reports in accordance with established standards, policies and procedures to meet regulatory requirements and documenting for future reference.
15. Initiates, develops and carries out research activities and program planning and development relevant to the needs of the patient, families, hospital and community in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team by methods such as identifying current trends/gaps in literature, writing research proposals. Follows through with research methodology, disseminates research findings and ensures clinical practices and protocols are consistent with research findings.
16. Performs other related duties as required.

• Demonstrated competency in clinical practice, research and education.
• Demonstrated ability in individual, family, and group counseling.
• Ability to complete client mental health assessments.
• Knowledge of community resources and methods of accessing them.
• Knowledge of psychiatric diagnosis.
• Comprehensive knowledge of emergency triage procedures, mental health status assessment and counseling principles and interview techniques.
• Working knowledge of psychopharmacology, crisis theory, and de-escalation techniques.
• Working knowledge of DSM IV.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, including the ability to collaborate within a team environment and resolve conflict.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, manage, implement, organize and problem solve.
• Demonstrated ability to function effectively in a high dynamic environment.
• Demonstrated ability to be effective in an environment subject to continuous change.
• Proficiency in the use of personal computers.
• Physical ability to perform duties of the position.