Social Worker - Permanent, Full-time (35 hours/week)

The Alzheimer Society of Durham Region (ASDR) is a community support service organization that provides programs and services to people living with dementia and their care partners in Durham Region. We work closely with other service providers to ensure quality care and support for our clients to achieve our mission to improve the quality of life of people living with Alzheimer?s disease or a related dementia and their care partners.

We employ administrative and fund development staff, educators, social workers, social service workers, nurses, occupational therapists, recreation staff, and volunteers who work together as a team to meet the needs of people living with dementia and their care partners.

We promote an equitable and inclusive environment that is healthy and discrimination-free and recognizes and respects the personal worth, dignity and diversity of our staff, volunteers, students, and Board members. We respect the values and beliefs of all who gather in our organization.

Our values include *collaboration *and respect and are the guideposts we use for decision-making of all kinds. We believe that this will guide the organization toward a place of inclusion for all - where equity and access to essential supports and services becomes the reality.

Under the direction of the Manager of Clinical Services, the Social Worker will be responsible for delivering high-quality dementia support services through assessment, case management, education, supportive counselling, and group facilitation to persons living with dementia and care partners in Durham Region. The role of the Social Worker will also fulfill all expectations outlined in agency Policies and Procedures.

What you will be doing

Service Delivery Responsibilities

• Conduct initial screening and assessment to identify current and future needs, goals, and level of risk of people living with dementia and care partners
• Establish appropriate intervention/care plans to meet bio/psycho/social needs using a person/family-centered approach, guided by a Citizenship Model
• Provide timely and appropriate dementia specific supportive consultation (resource sharing, navigation of healthcare system, education, counselling), and case management in the form of phone, virtual, home, office consultation and support groups
• Facilitate caregiver support groups; ensuring a positive, safe and respected community environment.
• Engage in type, stage-specific and specialty support/education group facilitation (i.e. mild cognitive impairment, early stage support group, young onset); providing an opportunity for persons living with impairment to learn more about the disease, symptoms and symptom management
• Pro-actively facilitate linkages, communication, information exchange and coordination between clients and service providers along the continuum of care
• Facilitate regular and ongoing care conferences between clients/care partners and all members of client/care partner care team (i.e.. hospitals, long-term care, retirement homes). This may include in-person meetings and use of a range of technology options and/or accommodations, including language translation services, video conferencing, etc.
• In collaboration with internal and external parties, engage in problem solving, advocacy, and develop strategies to address/overcome barriers in effective coordination/integration of supports and services
• Leverage and maintain positive working relationships with physicians, health care professionals, health and community support service providers (i.e.. hospitals, primary care, mental health, BSO, long-term care, retirement homes, police/EMS, specialized geriatrics, community Health Links), and other relevant partners through proactive outreach activities
• Lend clinical knowledge and skills to the delivery of educational workshops or learning sessions for caregivers or persons living with dementia

*Administrative\ Orga