Forensic Community and Liaison Social Worker (BSW), Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) Team - Forensic Psychiatric Surrey Regional Clinic - Surrey BC

Forensic Community and Liaison Social Worker (BSW), Forensic Assertive Community Treatment Team BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services Surrey, BC Join our multi-disciplinary team of passionate and committed professionals working to support our clients who experience mental health and/or substance use challenges and who have involvement with the criminal justice system to integrate into the community with support. This Social Worker position will support the Forensic Assertive Community Treatment Team (FACT). FACT is a newly established service delivery model intended for people with enhanced care needs who are involved in the criminal justice system. The FACT team is a multi-disciplinary healthcare team of professionals who work together to provide holistic and comprehensive services to best serve client needs. This team will be based in Surrey and support specific clients living in the community. This is expected to be a rotating position. Although the current operational hours are Monday to Friday from 0830-1630hrs ultimately, the hours will rotate from 0830 hrs – 1630 hrs and 1000 – 1800hrs on weekdays (Monday to Friday) and statutory holidays. On the weekends, the position will rotate from 1000hrs – 1800hrs. This role is ideally suited to a person who enjoys supporting clients to achieve success with reintegration in their community, working in a team environment, solving problems, and working collaboratively with partners. This person must be committed to upholding the shared responsibility of creating lasting and meaningful reconciliation in Canada as per TRC (2015) and DRIPA (2019). What is Forensics Forensic Psychiatric Regional Clinics and Programs are for people with a mental health and/or substance use disorder who have come into contact with the law. The courts may refer them to one of our regional clinics for assessment and treatment. We believe that people, when properly supported, have the ability to manage most aspects of their lives. We focus on people's strengths and resources instead of on symptoms and problems. They are a key member of their treatment team and an active participant in their own care. We help them get the care, support, and treatment they need. Watch this video to learn about working with BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services! What you’ll do

Conduct 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. Identify, develop and implement 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). Ensure the Regional Clinic Manager is informed of emerging problems, unusual circumstances, plans of action, and legal issues concerning assigned clients. Screen to determine whether referral to or liaison with other agencies is required and whether appropriate community options exist.

Provide 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.

Maintain 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. Provide written reports and summaries as per FPSC policy, standards and guidelines.

Provide 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.

Facilitate 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.

Conduct or participate 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, inform community service providers of an increased risk to client and/or community safety as appropriate. Monitor client compliance with Review Board dispositions and initiating direct back/ breach proceedings as necessary. Share in the Duty Officer responsibilities at the clinic as required. What you bring