Counsellor

Job ID: 49862

Job Category:

Division & Section: Seniors Services & Long Term Care, LTC Regional Services

Work Location: Fudger House, 439 Sherbourne St.

Job Type & Duration: Full-time, 1 Temporary (9-month) Vacancy

Hourly Rate and Wage Grade: $41.33 - $45.26, Wage Grade 12

Shift Information: Monday to Sunday, 35 hours per week: Day, Evening, Weekend

Affiliation: L79 Full-time

Number of Positions Open: 1, 9-month contract

Posting Period: 22-Aug-2024 to 06-Sept-2024

Job Description:

The City’s Seniors Services and Long-Term Care Division supports Toronto seniors and residents in long-term care homes to have the healthiest, most fulfilling lives possible through exceptional care and services. Vulnerable individuals who reside in the community are supported through adult day programs, supportive housing services, tenancy support and homemakers and nurses services. CareTO is our brand for the culture change we are investing in for the City’s 10 directly operated long-term care homes (https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/housing-shelter/rental-housing-tenant-information/finding-housing/long-term-care-homes/careto/). The division values Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence which shape our organizational culture, our priorities, and the experiences of all those who live, work, volunteer, and visit.

Reporting to the Manager Resident Services, this position will be responsible for providing intake, assessment, counselling, referral, follow-up and assisting residents and their families with navigating financial programs/resources as required.

Major Responsibilities:

• Processes applications and referrals from residents.
• Conducts assessments of residents' needs, problems and eligibility for service/assistance.
• Obtains required information from residents and their families, and appropriately identifies substitute decision maker(s) and next-of-kin.
• Consults/collaborates with doctors, other team members, agencies, etc., as necessary and completes appropriate documentation.
• Provides crisis intervention (e.g. emergency situations, etc.).
• Determines, develops and recommends courses of action based on legislation, divisional policies and procedures, and the evaluation of functional abilities, degree of urgency, finances, etc.
• Counsels the individual and/or families as to the best alternatives and/or course of action.
• Assists with or coordinates referrals.
• Provides adjustment and support to new situations through additional counselling, observation and research.
• Provides therapeutic counselling to residents and families re: behaviour, attitude, and environment or to provide ongoing support.
• Advocates on behalf of individuals and/or residents.
• Refers individuals and/or residents to internal and/or external programs, services and agencies to complement, or in place of, City services.
• Coordinates referrals for admission to outside agencies, purchased services and City services by preparing forms, writing reports, presenting residents' cases to admission boards and informing involved staff of information necessary for them to prepare for admission (e.g. ensuring accommodations are prepared, etc.).
• Monitors individuals' and/or families' progress by additional visits, counselling, discussing any change in status, needs, etc.
• Liaises with agencies involved (re: residents' attendance, suitability, problems, etc.). Modifies action plan, as required.
• Writes reports, prepares correspondence and maintains case documentation.
• Documents all information, occurrences, etc., and prepares statistics related to case histories.
• Maintains records, charts, clinical reports, files, waiting list, etc..
• Prepares newsletters for residents/agencies, as necessary.
• Participates in program and design evaluation (e.g. recommendations for: implementation, adaptation, revision, and/or standardization of policies, procedures, and/or workplans; purchase of service from new agencies, etc.)
• Participates in case conference meetings to review individuals' and/or families' goals, outstanding needs, program suitability, develop resident care plans, identify expected outcomes.
• Develops and conducts group sessions.
• Develops objectives and appropriate evaluations of the impact of each session on the resident's behaviour, status, etc.
• Develops and coordinates seminars, educational sessions, workshops for residents, family, community agencies, etc. Distributes materials, information, etc., as required.
• Consults with and coordinates resident progress with other appropriate staff.
• Works as part of a larger team to identify resident needs and assist the resident in accessing appropriate programs and services.
• Maintains a high level of familiarity with applicable legislation and standards.
• Assists residents in developing a plan of action.
• Plans and implements the initial resident assessment, case plan, case plan evaluation, discharge and follow up.

Key Qualifications:

Your application must describe your qualifications as they relate to:

1. Post-Secondary Degree in Social Work or Diploma in Social Service Work.
2. Must be currently registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers and be in good standing
3. Experience with adults living with complex health and mental health challenges, in either a recognized social service organization, in a long-term care, a continuing care/rehabilitation facility or a hospital setting.
4. Considerable experience conducting psychosocial assessments using various clinical assessment tools and creating care plans to address the needs of physically and cognitively compromised residents and their families, while ensuring holistic and person-centered care.
5. Considerable experience utilizing therapeutic interventions and facilitating referrals and community linkages to support the psychosocial needs of residents and their families.

You must also have:

• Advanced knowledge of human behaviour, supportive counselling and intervention techniques.
• Ability to evaluate mental status, psycho/social needs and abilities of the individual and to develop realistic long term and short-term plans to assist residents.
• Knowledge of complex health and mental health challenges and how they manifest in congregate institutional settings, such as long-term care.
• Ability to provide supportive, crisis, adjustment and palliative counselling to a diverse resident population, promoting community supports and linkages.
• Ability to deliver a high level of customer service, fiscal accountability, innovation, result orientation and teamwork and work in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team to develop strategies for care planning.
• Ability to develop and coordinate family and resident support sessions.
• Clear and effective verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to prepare, document and present case histories.
• Familiar with Senior Services and Long-Term Care and CareTO Model of Care
• Able to work evenings and weekends.
• Ability to support the Toronto Public Service values to ensure a culture that champions equity, diversity and respectful workplaces.

NOTE TO INTERNAL FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME CITY OF TORONTO EMPLOYEES:

City of Toronto employees must apply to full-time or part-time employment opportunities posted on the City's Internal Job Posting Portal.

Please note:

As a condition of employment with the Senior Services and Long-Term Care Division, selected candidates will be required to provide a satisfactory Police Reference Check (PRC) with vulnerable sector screening, tuberculosis screening and proof of immunization in accordance with the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021 (O.Reg. 246/22).

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City’s commitment to employment equity.

Accommodation

The City of Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs. Disability-related accommodation during the application process is available upon request. Learn more about the City’s Hiring Policies and Accommodation Process.