Clinical Social Worker, Crisis

Program Overview – Crisis Outreach Service for Seniors, Community Care

This program 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.
  • Perform psychosocial and geriatric assessments.
  • Provide preliminary assessment of risk in crisis situations, consult and devise an intervention and action plan, and provide crisis intervention.
  • Provide crisis intervention and practical assistance to clients and/or family or caregivers as required in homes and community settings.
  • Develop and implement service plan and/or coordinated care plans.
  • Provide service/care co-ordination, system navigation, short-term and long-term planning, and follow-up support.
  • Provide crisis stabilization and short-term case management services to clients through the development and implementation of a care plan to address their priority and emerging needs.
  • Provide supportive counselling to clients utilizing a wide range of therapeutic approaches that best meet the clients’ needs and circumstances.
  • Provide advocacy support and advocate with clients and/or their family or caregivers.
  • Provide Transitional Care Coordination and work closely with the hospitals, and other referral sources to support clients and facilitate smooth transitions between hospital and community.
  • Link clients and/or their family or caregivers to various community resources, and facilitates appropriate referrals to other community support services as required.
  • Provide service that is responsive, culturally, and linguistically sensitive to the individual and caregiver’s needs.
  • Engage in ongoing outreach to ensure access to the program.
  • Collaborate with community agencies to organize joint health promotion clinics/workshops.
  • Maintain and develop contacts with other seniors’ groups and community agencies.
  • Keep current about the range of services available in other agencies.
  • Provide mentorship, training, and/or supervision to student placements and volunteers.
  • Maintain a client caseload as assigned by program manager.
  • Ensure the anti-racism objectives and community development principles of the organization are achieved within the program.

What You Bring to the Team

  • Masters of Social Work (MSW) required.
  • Registered Social Worker (RSW) in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.
  • Minimum of three (3) years of related experience in mental health, addictions, geriatrics, and/or social work.
  • Demonstrated experience working with older adults and seniors with mental health (including dementia) and/or substance use issues, chronic health issues, cognitive impairment, and responsive behaviours is required.

What Will Set You Apart

  • Demonstrated experience in crisis support/intervention.
  • Demonstrated ability in supporting older adult and senior population including individuals who have significant mental health and/or addiction issues, history of trauma, violence/abuse, dementia, cognitive impairments, responsive behaviours, chronic physical health issues, etc.
  • Demonstrated ability in case management, system navigation, service planning, implementation and coordination, and therapeutic or supportive counselling.
  • Demonstrated ability in working effectively in a multi-disciplinary team. 
  • Proven working knowledge of theories of addiction, evidence-based treatment models, and best practice approaches.
  • Knowledge of, and experience with, a brief therapy modality, such as Narrative, Solution-Focused, Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Trauma-Informed approaches, Gentle Persuasive Approach, PIECES, Problem Solving Technique (PST), etc.
  • Thorough knowledge of issues affecting older adults and geriatric populations.
  • Comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the mental health, addictions, health sector, and community resources.
  • Strong assessment, clinical, and intervention skills.
  • Effective oral and written communication skills and documentation skills.
  • Effective interpersonal, time management, and organizational skills.
  • Proven ability to apply and practice anti-oppression, anti-racism, trauma-informed, and harm reduction principles and strategies.
  • Ability to be self-directed, independent, flexible, and exercise good judgment.
  • Ability to work from a client-centred approach.
  • Proven ability to minimize barriers through service delivery for low income individuals with mental health and substance use issues.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of issues affecting marginalized communities, policies, legislation, programs, and other issues related to scope of practice and social determinant of health.
  • Applied computer skills (MS word, excel, Internet) and ability to use client information systems.
  • Ability to communicate in a second language is a strong asset.