Crisis Specialist

Competition: (2024-215-CC) Crisis Specialist

Employment Type: Permanent full-time, Bargaining Unit (1 Vacancy)

Work Hours: 37.5 hours/week, Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm and up to 3 weekend/holiday shifts per month (earning lieu days)

Work Setting:

Salary: Onsite - Limited opportunities to work remotely

Internal Rate J8 – $68,054.19

External Rate J7 – $66,693.11

Application Deadline: May 28th, 2024, by 11:59 pmProgram 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, St. Michaels Homes, 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; visit clients in their homes or community locations with a partner.

Perform psychosocial and geriatric assessments.

Provide short-term intensive case management services to a caseload of seniors with mental health and substance use issues, including ongoing assessment, service navigation and care coordination.

Provide assessment of risk in crisis situations, consult and devise an intervention and action plan

Provide service/care co-ordination, system navigation, short and long-term planning and follow-up support.

In collaboration with clients, develop and implement a care plan to address their priority and emerging needs.

Provide supportive counseling to seniors and older adults utilizing a wide range of therapeutic approaches that best meet the clients’ needs and circumstances.

Participate in case conferences and clinical meetings in order to ensure the coordination of services and a continuum of care.

Provide advocacy support and advocate with clients and/or their family or caregivers.

Work closely with the hospitals, and other referral sources, to support clients and facilitate smooth transitions between hospitals, other institutions and community.

Provide service that is responsive, as well as culturally and linguistically sensitive.

Engage in ongoing outreach to ensure access to the program.

Maintain and develop contacts with other seniors’ groups and community agencies, and attend external meetings as recommended by the supervisor or manager

Keep current about the range of services available in other agencies.

Provide mentorship, training and/or supervision to student placements and volunteers.

Work flexible hours based on the needs of the clients, their caregiver, and the service.

Promote the healthy functioning of the team and unit and participate in meetings regularly.

Participate in ongoing training and education.

Participate in supervision sessions and annual performance appraisals with program supervisor/manager.

Maintain appropriate records and documentation in a timely manner and collect statistical data required for the accountability of the program.

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 or post-graduate degree in relevant field MSW or Post-Graduate degree in a related area with 2+ years of extensive crisis/complex seniors experience or BSW with 5+ years of extensive crisis/complex/seniors’ experience

Registration in good standing with the Ontario College of Social workers and Social Service Workers or another relevant regulatory body in Ontario (e.g. CPRO or COTO).

Requires related experience in crisis support and demonstrated experience working with complex seniors What Will Set You Apart

Experience in crisis support/intervention.

Ability to support 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.

Skills in case management, system navigation, service planning, implementation and coordination, therapeutic or supportive counselling.

Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team and in collaboration with community professionals.

Knowledge of theories of addiction, evidence-based treatment models, best practice approaches, and 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 and an understanding of mental health, addictions, health sector, and community resources.

Strong assessment, clinical and intervention skills, working from a client-centered approach.

Effective oral, written communication, documentation, interpersonal, time management and organizational skills.

Practice anti-oppression, anti-racism, trauma-informed and harm reduction principles.

Ability to be self-directed, independent, flexible and exercise good judgment.

Ability to minimize barriers through service delivery for low income individuals with mental health and substance use issues.

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.