Competition: (2024-378-CC) Crisis Specialist (2024-378-CC)

Employment Type: Contract Salary (18 Months), Bargaining Unit (1 Vacancy)

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

Work Setting:

Salary: Onsite - Limited opportunities to work remotely

J - $63,516.20

Application Deadline: October 4, 2024, by 11:59 pm

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, 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.

WoodGreen is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free selection process and work environment. If contacted in relation to an employment opportunity, please advise our People & Culture representatives at careers@woodgreen.org of the accommodation measures required. Information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially.

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