Specialized Care Social Worker

Location

Waterloo, ON | Canada

Job description

The Specialized Care Social worker (SCSW)) is accountable to the Associate Director, Health Services. This position offers case management services to students by coordinating prevention, intervention, and support efforts across campus and community systems to assist at-risk and high needs students, students facing crises, life traumas, and other barriers that impede success. The SCSW facilitates at-risk mental health and/or medical needs through referrals and connections with follow-up services. The role facilitates student’s connection to multiple supports, providing information and support coordinating transitions to community mental health resources, specialized treatment programs, crisis intervention, hospitalizations, and discharge planning. The position collaborates primarily with the various health care professionals within Campus Wellness while acting as a liaison with other student and academic services.

Assists in the coordination and follow up of services for high-risk students

• Assisting students in obtaining physical and mental health care supports both on- and off-campus
• Assisting Campus Wellness health professionals in coordinating and facilitating support and follow-up for students’ health and social service needs including accessing appropriate funding support
• Communicating/collaborating with community treatment facilities (e.g., hospitals, outpatient program, clinical settings, etc.) where a student is receiving care to facilitate the student’s return to campus including facilitating appropriate follow-up. Position monitors continuity of care, bridging care and services between university and community providers
• Providing support that includes collecting and reviewing all facts pertaining to student’s situation, developing support plan (includes referrals to on campus resources and services, and community resources) and follow-up. The support response is scalable and tailored to each specific student’s needs
• Providing support and instructional guidance to students to ensure referral and follow-up success
• Providing follow-up intervention and guidance to ensure that students with psychiatric /mental health complex needs/concerns are appropriately assessed, successfully referred, and support with treatment recommendations
• Being responsible for follow-up contact to assess referral efficacy- acting as consultant to faculty and staff to facilitate referrals to Campus Wellness and to treatment resources outside of Campus Wellness
• Assisting students with internal University procedures related to petitions, leaves of absence and appeals
• Engaging in collaborative involvement with students in the re-entry process for those individuals on voluntary or involuntary leaves of absence
• Participate in Complex Care Team as a contributing member in complex cases
• Initiating and develop on-going liaison relationships with community health providers, services, hospitals, and other resources to facilitate student referrals and access community resources
• Developing and maintaining a database of referral resources and services in surrounding communities while ensuring such information is readily available for all Campus Wellness personnel
• Following and tracking referrals for students with identified high risk needs ensuring they are receiving appropriate intervention and follow up care
• Collaborate with Counselling Services intake to arrange follow up appointments for Back to Campus clients released from hospital stays-may involve direct booking into Counsellors schedules
• Provide coverage to the Mental Health Nurse as necessary where appropriate

Documentation and Communication

• In consultation with clinical professionals, develops a care plan for each high need student being tracked by the Complex Care team
• Maintain accurate and timely case records and prepare necessary statistical reports
• Maintain a directory of community resources available to students and to Campus Wellness health care professionals
• Assist students in understanding University policy where policy has impact on student success and care
• Engage in ongoing monitoring and evaluation of practices, systems and processes that impact success for at-risk and students with complex psychiatric/mental health needs/concerns
• Prepare an annual report
• Identify areas for improvement as indicated, make recommendations for change, and participate in review and revision of systems and protocols as appropriate

Collaboration

• The SCSW works with a Complex Care team made up of Psychiatrists, Mental Health Nurse, Physicians and Counselling staff
• Provides consultation with Counselling Services staff as needed
• The SCSW assists with Complex Care team processes such as intake, priority determination, schedule of reviews and discharge planning
• This partnership for the mental health, health and wellness, well-being and safety of the campus community includes active collaboration and teaming with a focus on client issues of shared concern

Commitment to best clinical practice

• The SCSW has a thorough understanding of developmental issues of late adolescence (e.g., relationships, psychiatric diagnoses, mental health, disordered eating, transition, sexuality, etc.)
• The SCSW is knowledgeable of community resources to support clients with disordered eating and gender transitioning
• Remains current with pertinent ethical requirements, research, and considerations relevant to the fields of case management
• Maintains a high level of knowledge and awareness of changes and developments in the fields of higher education and case management, and their implications for the organization and service delivery within the institution and the community
• Represents the interest of Campus Wellness at conferences, workshops, etc.

• A Bachelor of Social Work degree with a strong background in mental health
• Experience with late adolescents and emerging adults in educational or medical settings strongly desirable
• Must maintain registration and be in good standing with College of Social Workers of Ontario
• Working knowledge of Ontario Mental Health Act, Charter of Rights and Freedoms
• Working knowledge of psychiatric illnesses/disorders
• Proven record of achievement in case management or similar field
• Experience in university or college setting is beneficial and preferred
• Average computing skills
• Experience with conducting, interpreting and utilizing relevant applied research
• Demonstrated experience building consensus and influencing others in a diverse and multi-disciplinary environment with diplomacy is required
• Proven ability to provide solution-focused interventions
• Knowledge of crisis management and ability to secure appropriate support
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and communication skills
• Excellent planning, organizational and time management skills and sound judgement to prioritize workload in a continuously changing environment

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations .

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at  [email protected] or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.

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