Crisis Worker

Program Overview – Crisis Outreach Service for Seniors, Community Care

This position works on behalf of WoodGreen in an inter-agency, multi-disciplinary Crisis Outreach Service for Seniors (COSS) serving seniors with physical, cognitive, mental health, and other concerns causing them to be in crisis. This service is offered through a partnership between WoodGreen, Haven Toronto, South Riverdale Community Health Centre, Reconnect Community Health Services, and LOFT Community Services with the goal of ensuring a continuum of care for seniors with cognitive, mental health, and substance use issues.

What You Will Do

  • Participate in crisis shifts; going out to visit clients in their homes or other community locations with a partner.
  • Assist with assessing client needs, developing, and implementing service plans with short and long-term objectives.
  • Provide short-term intensive case management services to a caseload of seniors with mental health and substance use issues, including ongoing assessment, supportive counseling, service navigation and care coordination.
  • Assist clients to access acute care and emergency services when appropriate, and help facilitate client discharges from local emergency departments.
  • Assist with monitoring clients, identifying additional needs, and reactivating supports.    
  • Assist in liaising with convalescent care, transitional care, acute care, emergency departments, rehabilitation centres, and complex continuing care to ensure that clients who have been hospitalized have appropriate follow-up services.
  • Refer clients and caregivers to a range of community resources, including meals, drop-in centres, social recreational programs, clothing exchanges, etc.
  • Work with other team members and partner agencies to develop and implement strategies that reduce client/caregiver dependencies on acute care and emergency departments.

What You Bring to the Team

  • BSW or related undergraduate degree.
  • Registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers or a related regulatory body.
  • Requires two (2) years of related experience in crisis support, the ability to mediate conflict, and demonstrated experience working with seniors.

What Will Set You Apart

  • Demonstrated experience in crisis support/intervention.
  • Demonstrated experience supporting seniors with mental health and substance use issues from a recovery and harm reduction approach.
  • Proven ability in case management and supportive counselling skills.
  • Strong assessment skills.
  • Demonstrated interpersonal skills.
  • Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
  • Ability to carry out service documentation requirements in a timely and professional manner.
  • Demonstrated information and referral skills and the ability to link clients to supportive services.
  • Self-directed and independent, but also experienced in working effectively as a member of multi-disciplinary team.
  • Proven ability to minimize barriers through service delivery for low-income individuals with mental health and substance abuse issues.
  • Ability to work from a client-centered approach.
  • Knowledge of issues affecting older adults and geriatric populations.
  • Knowledge of the health sector, community resources, and related services.
  • Demonstrated ability to follow policies, procedures, and adhere to legislation.
  • Understanding of clinical practices and care models.
  • Ability to exercise good judgment, flexibility, and contribute to the effective functioning of a multi-disciplinary interagency Crisis Service focused on older adults.
  • Applied computer skills (MS word, excel, and Internet).
  • Ability to use case management software is an asset (Pirouette).
  • Ability to communicate in another language is an asset.
  • Ability to work flexible hours, weekends, and statutory holidays as required.