Buchanan Lodge is a Christian health care community striving to meet the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of those we serve through resident-centered compassionate care. 

We are currently looking for a Permanent Part-Time Social Worker, who reports to the Clinical Care Coordinator and/or designate.

Position Summary
The Social Worker is responsible for the provision of Social Work for the residents at Buchanan Lodge and, as such, develops and implements plans for the provision of Social Work services and acts as a clinical consultant to the facility staff.

Responsibilities – Subject to change based on operational requirements
1. Develops, implements and monitors Social Work services for the residents by:
- Maintaining the mission and philosophy of Buchanan Lodge.
- Conducting psycho-social assessments and evaluations for residents which may include social functioning, resident progress, financial concerns, family support and the need for ongoing counseling.
- Providing counseling to residents including but not limited to adjustment to facility living, clarification of concerns and ongoing planning; adjustment to chronic illness or disability; coping with loss due to terminal illness; family relationships and crisis intervention.
- Preparing a social history for inclusion in the resident’s health record.
- Consulting and communicating with external community agencies to access prescribed equipment for residents.
- Participating as a member of the interdisciplinary health care team.
- Developing and maintaining priorities for resident programs and appropriate referrals for rehabilitation therapy programs.
- Assessing residents’ psycho-social needs in conjunction with the interdisciplinary health care team and documenting relevant information and participating in the team’s            assessment, planning and evaluation of care plans to ensure the residents’ needs are being addressed.
- Organizing meetings with residents, family members and/or health representatives to facilitate problem solving and conflict resolution.
- Informing and gathering information for admission and care conferences.
- Referring to agencies and services which may improve the resident’s level of function,  enhance quality of life and assist with financial concerns as needed.
- Collaborating with allied community services and government agencies to receive and interpret information on services, programs and policy changes which affect residents of Buchanan Lodge.
- Developing and maintaining quality improvement indicators and evaluation of Social Work services including use of relevant records and statistics.

2. Acts as a liaison and provides services for families and community by:
- Facilitating the operation of the Family Council as an advocacy and consultative forum for families, friends and caregivers.
- Facilitating educational opportunities for residents’ families, friends and caregivers.
- Maintaining links with relevant community organizations and providing appropriate outreach support.

3. Acts as a resource to facility staff by:
- Planning and delivering in-service education sessions for other members of the health care team as required.
- Participating as a member of appropriate facility committees.

Qualifications
1. Education and Experience:
- Graduation from a university with a Canadian Social Work Association approved program in Social Work and membership in the BC Board of Registration for Social Workers.
- Several years’ experience in a clinical setting as a Social Worker subsequent to formal education.
- Several years’ experience working with seniors with complex health care needs in a facility setting; proven case management and clinical practice skills.
- Proven experience in program development and delivery.

2. Skills and Abilities:
- Superior verbal and written communication skills.
- Sound interpersonal and organizational abilities.
- Proven supervisory ability
- Knowledge of software applications, particularly word-processing, excel and e-mail
- Ability to work within an interdisciplinary health care team whose members have diverse backgrounds and often competing priorities.
- Ability to organize work, set priorities and meet deadlines with a minimum of supervision.

Salary and Benefits
Corresponding with Health Science Professional Collective Agreement

We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those considered for an interview will be contacted.

permanent part-time social worker