Job Summary

In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of Provincial Health Services Authority patient safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA, and as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position. Within the context of a biopsychosocial framework and in accordance with the British Columbia College of Social Workers (BCCSW) standards of practice, the Forensic Community & Liaison Social Worker (FC&LSW) under the general direction of the Regional Clinic Manager, with the clinical guidance of a treatment team leader and access to the Professional Practice Leader, Social Work, works as part of a multidisciplinary forensic psychiatric community mental health team to provide a defined range of community forensic mental health social worker services to Mentally Disordered individuals in conflict with the law and to clients who are referred to Forensic Psychiatric Regional Programs. The FC&LSW carries out social work psychiatric/psychological assessments and treatment services to adults who are subject to a legal order for criminal offences (probation, bail, provincial parole, conditional sentence) and provides assertive case coordination services to high-risk mentally disordered offenders, and supervisees and coordinates services to adults found Not Criminally Responsible due to Mental Disorder (NCRMD) or Unfit to Stand Trial.

Duties/Accountabilities

Conducts initial intake and ongoing biopsychosocial social work psychiatric assessments including current mental status examinations, general assessments of physical health, special needs/precautions, and completes all related assessment tools as per policy. Identifies, develops and implements an Integrated Treatment Plan based on the evaluation of clinical risk and need through the completion of the Short-term Assessment of Risk & Treatability (START). Ensures the Regional Clinic Manager is informed of emerging problems, unusual circumstances, plans of action, and legal issues concerning assigned clients. Screens to determine whether referral to or liaison with other agencies is required and whether appropriate community options exist. Provides community case coordination and advocacy services for clients by methods such as communicating and monitoring client contacts with mental health teams, private psychiatrists, family physicians, probation, other specialists, and social service agencies that are involved in the provision of services to the client to ensure continuity of care and sharing of pertinent information; establishing and maintaining excellent working relationships with all resources; communicating closely with treating psychiatrists/psychologists to ensure ongoing evaluation and effective treatment; and working in collaboration with other community resources to meet the client’s need for assistance including financial, housing, medical and psychiatric care, substance abuse intervention, family support, employment/skills training opportunities, life skills training, transportation, and prosocial/recreational programs. Maintains concise and accurate documentation of relevant information on client files in accordance with FPSC policy standards to meet regulatory requirements and provide evidence and rationale to support findings and treatment plan such as compiling pertinent background information for clinical case planning and collecting information to assist psychiatrists/psychologists in the preparation of reports for the Courts. Provides written reports and summaries as per FPSC policy, standards and guidelines. Provides clinical services, information and support, and short-term, time-limited follow-up as required by methods such as addressing immediate social or mental health needs, providing counseling/therapeutic support to individual clients and their families, and acting as a group co-facilitator as required; assisting with finding shelter, food, financial assistance, medication or referral to other appropriate resources; and monitoring client for presence of side effects such as extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), tardive dyskinesia and other movement disorders related to psychoactive medications, providing information on medication management, including teaching the client about benefits and possible side effects; and giving advice and information about mental illness, personality disorders, range of treatment options available, court process, community options, and resources and education on mental illness. Facilitates access to psychiatric and social services by methods such as receiving referrals as per FPSC policy, accompanying clients to community resources as clinically appropriate as part of their community transition plan; and conducting home visits as per the ITP and FPSC policy, and meeting with clients outside of the office environment to assess and assist with their community reintegration and prosocial development. Conducts or participates in pre-release planning conferences; consults with appropriate members of the clinical treatment team to help determine requirement for certification under mental health act and other emergency situations, psychiatric treatment needs, and social needs including referrals to other agencies; and following the consultation with the clinical team, informs community service providers of an increased risk to client and/or community safety as appropriate. Monitors client compliance with Review Board dispositions and initiating direct back/ breach proceedings as necessary. Shares in the Duty Officer responsibilities at the clinic as required. Provides Court Liaison bridging and transitional services within 20 working days following completion of the court process and provides Correctional Centre Liaison bridging and transitional services for a time period of up to 20 working days post release from the custodial centre. Participates in BC Review Board hearings, liaises with the Review Board for clarification on administrative matters, and consults with Forensic Psychiatric Services’ legal counsel as required with respect to Review Board issues by preparing comprehensive Community Case Management reports as per guidelines; acting as a Forensic Psychiatric Services Commission representative at annual, mandatory, and special hearings by presenting the clinical position of the Service; clarifies issues such as scheduling of hearings, notifications, release of exhibits pertaining to assigned clients and duty calls; and responding to questions of the Review Board members, legal counsel for the client, crown counsel, and other participants as appropriate. Communicates the Review Board’s decision to the treatment team and initiates action consistent with the disposition order. Completes Review Board briefing notes following each hearing. Provides information about the Mental Health Act and its application to Forensic Psychiatric Services in the community, the legal process and mentally disordered offenders to other professionals, departments and agencies; and providing information about the role of Forensic Psychiatric Services in relation to the Criminal Justice, Mental Health, and Social Services systems. Provides student supervision, clinical guidance and the opportunity to observe and take an active role in the treatment of social work clients. Provides input to the Manager and/or Academic Program as requested on individual’s progress in achieving established standards of care. Maintains and updates relevant knowledge and understanding of Forensic Psychiatric Social Work practice, forensic psychiatric community mental health, Social Work standards of practice, and the applicable sections of the Freedom of Information and Protection and Privacy Act, FPSC health information records as per FPSC policy. Maintains a comprehensive knowledge of mental health, social, financial, rehabilitation, emergency, and other resources in the service. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education, Training and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from an accredited School of Social Work. Two (2) years recent, related experience working in a mental health setting. Effective September 1, 2013, full registration with the British Columbia College of Social Workers (BCCSW) is required. Valid BC Drivers License. Local area travel may require the use of a personal vehicle. Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certificate.

Skills And Abilities

Broad knowledge of social work theory and Forensic Psychiatric Social Work practice. Broad knowledge of BCCSW professional practice standards. Broad knowledge of other facilities and community resources. Broad knowledge of other health care disciplines and their role in client care. Broad knowledge of Bill C30 and the Provincial Court system. Broad knowledge of psychopharmacology (indications and side-effects). Demonstrated ability in social work practice related to assessment of behaviour, risk and to assisting clients to regain/improve their coping abilities. Demonstrated ability to conduct biopsychosocial psychiatric assessments, provide treatment planning, and to apply knowledge of theory and practice to a case management process. Demonstrated ability to assess clients’ responses to care and to respond appropriately. Demonstrated ability to adjust to new or unexpected events and to problem solve. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with clients and their families, colleagues, physicians, and other health care staff. Demonstrated listening and information seeking skills that promotes communication and leads to a co-operative approach to problem solving within a multidisciplinary setting. Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a member of a multidisciplinary team. Demonstrated ability to deal effectively with conflict situations, manage aggressive behaviour and use non-violent crisis intervention and behavioural management techniques. Demonstrated ability to establish workload priorities in collaboration with others in a complex health care environment. Demonstrated ability to provide leadership, work direction, and effective consultation. Demonstrated ability to teach, demonstrate and coach clients and co-workers both one-on-one and in groups. Demonstrated skill in CPR techniques. Basic computer literacy to operate a computerized client care information system and word processing, Internet and e-mail software. Ability to operate related equipment. Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.