Clinical Support Worker, Substance Use Services

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Fraser Health is responsible for the delivery of hospital and community-based health services to over 1.9 million people in 20 diverse communities from Burnaby to Fraser Canyon on the traditional territories of the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux Nations. Our team of 43,000 staff, medical staff and volunteers is dedicated to serving our patients, families and communities to deliver on our vision: Better health, best in health care.

 

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The Clinical Support Worker (CSW) provides a variety of support functions within the continuum of substance use services. In collaboration with the multidisciplinary team, the CSW works in areas such as the Rapid Access Addictions Clinic (RAAC) to assist clients in detox settings, supports functions of Opiate Agonist Therapy (OAT) clinics, and provides outreach as required to support clients through their treatment and recovery. The CSW works with clients in environments such as supervised clinical settings or in the community to provide regular check-in support, access to medical and counselling support, referrals for housing and other supports including additional treatment and income assistance.

Monitors clients physical and psychological status and assists in the primary care aspect of the clients overall medical health; follows up on physicians orders regarding referrals and diagnostic tests; takes and records vital signs; initiates and maintains client charts. Performs intake duties to determine client eligibility for services, orients clients to services, completes necessary documentation and maintains records. Assists with group and/or individual discussion to provide information to clients and families regarding lifestyle, substance use issues and maintaining optimum health. Provides clients with information regarding community services and resources and completes referrals as appropriate. Participates in case planning with clients, counsellors, and primary care providers and assists in the delivery of the clinical and primary care program. Works collaboratively with the clients using a strengths-based model, motivational interviewing and engagement techniques.

1. Provides support in a clinical setting by monitoring client's physical and psychological status according to established standards and policies by performing duties such as setting up and dismantling exam rooms, obtaining urine specimens for routine drug screening following established procedures; arranging for blood tests and diagnostic testing as directed; taking and recording vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse, and respiration and reporting changes to primary care providers; booking appointments, making referrals to specialists, and managing patient scheduling.


2. Performs intake and discharge duties by meeting with clients to determine eligibility for services by gathering personal information including history and length of substance use and completing biopsychosocial assessments by asking questions to clients based on pre-established list and documenting their responses, identifying areas of need, and processing intake documentation. Develops discharge summaries with clients to ensure treatment plans are in place prior to client being discharged; collaborates with medical staff and counsellors as appropriate.


3. Observes and supports individuals in appropriate medication management, in accordance with the plan of treatment/care and established policies and procedures.


4. Maintains related records and documentation including medication records and client files by performing duties such as completing client documentation and updating records and files with changes as appropriate.


5. Reassesses client's needs, goals and benefits of the program on an on-going basis. Offers support and direction to services as needed.


6. Contributes to the development, implementation, modification and evaluation of the individualized plan of care by providing input as one of the multidisciplinary team members.


7. Performs necessary follow up actions including scheduling client appointment, completing appropriate requisitions, liaising with laboratory and other agencies/departments, and flagging charts for the attention of the multidisciplinary team staff.


8. Provides supportive counselling and guidance to clients and families. Interviews clients to identify needs and assists clients to determine appropriate services. Makes required referral to primary care providers, clinical counsellors and other professionals as needed


9. Identifies available social, housing, economic, recreational and education services and resources in the community that will meet client needs. Refers to and liaises with resources that will assist clients to meet their goals and improve their quality of life such as shelters, housing workers, dental clinics, outreach workers, home health, mental health, and integrated care management meetings.


10. Provides education and information to clients and their families on an individual or group basis on topics such as lifestyle, basic health, nutrition, substance use, coping skills and behaviour management. 


11. Participates in the orientation and education of new staff.


12. Performs administrative support duties such as chart preparation and management, providing information regarding services and procedures to the general public, taking referrals, and referring non-routine inquiries. Gathers, compiles and inputs client information as required utilizing appropriate software applications such as word processing and databases. Prepares and maintains various informational/resource packages for clients.


13. Works collaboratively with the clients using a strengths-based model, motivational interviewing and engagement techniques.


14. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

Completion of recognized Social Service Worker program or Substance Use Certificate, plus one year's recent related experience working with clients with substance use issues, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Successful completion of St. John's Ambulance Safety Orientated First Aide Certificate and current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certificate (CPR) Health care level or equivalent.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing, including empathetic and respectful communication appropriate to the situation.


• Good interpersonal skills, including the ability to get along well with clients, families, and members of the interdisciplinary team, and including the ability to effectively network with other services and agencies.


• Ability to perform word processing, spreadsheet and database tasks using appropriate software applications.


• Ability to flexibly manage changing work load needs, setting effective priorities to manage demanding work load.


• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.


• Ability to maintain confidentiality in accordance with applicable policies and codes of ethics.


• Familiarity with medical office procedures.


• Demonstrated understanding of chemically dependent persons and their rehabilitation.


• Ability to provide basic counselling support to clients and their families.


• Ability to lead education and discussion groups.


• Ability to respond appropriately to emergency situations.


• Basic knowledge of substance use treatment approaches.


• Knowledge of community resources and methods of accessing them.


• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.


• Ability to operate related equipment.