West Kootenay Nav-CARE is looking for a social worker with experience serving older adults to support the Nav-CARE staff and volunteers in their roles supporting clients. See below for more information.

Nav-CARE Program Social Worker 

Job Posting

 

Position

Nav-CARE Program Social Worker

Position summary

The West Kootenay Nav-CARE Program seeks a social worker with experience serving older adults. In this position, the social worker will be acting to support the Nav-CARE staff and volunteers in their roles supporting clients.

Nav-CARE enables adults to live well while being as independent as possible for as long as possible. The program assists with quality of life concerns such as: loneliness and social isolation, recent or multiple losses, mobility or sensory challenges, increased disengagement, coping with transitions, and difficulties accessing resources.

Nav-CARE services are provided free of charge by trained volunteers. Volunteers conduct regular visits with clients in their homes, support clients and their families to advocate for themselves, facilitate community connections, coordinate access to services and resources, and promote active engagement in the community.

Terms

  • Hours will be variable with an average of 15 hours per week
  • The pay range is $33 to $37 per hour, depending on experience
  • Mileage for work related travel reimbursed at a rate of $0.68/km

Start Date

October 10, 2023.

Location

This position requires work from a home office, with flexible hours. This is not a remote position. While our preference is for an individual located in the Slocan Valley, we will accept applications from across our service area. Please see below for our list of communities.

To apply

  • Please refer to the below Job Description for a full list of responsibilities and competencies.
  • Applications due by September 20, 2023. Early applications encouraged.
  • Send a CV, cover letter, and three references to manager@westkootenaynavcare.org with the subject line “Nav-CARE Program Social Worker application.”

 

We thank all applicants. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. We are an equal opportunity employer. Please contact us if you have questions about possible accommodations.

The Greater Trail Hospice Society is the host organization for the West Kootenay Nav-CARE Program in Salmo, Nelson, the Slocan Valley, Nakusp, Kaslo and surrounding areas. The West Kootenay Nav-CARE program collaborates directly with the Trail and Castlegar Nav-CARE programs, and with Nav-CARE sites across Canada. Please visit westkootenaynavcare.org to learn more about Nav-CARE and our team.

Nav-CARE Program Social Worker

Job Description

Title: Nav-CARE Program Social Worker

Job Purpose

To support the delivery of the West Kootenay Nav-CARE program in Nakusp, the Slocan Valley, Kaslo, Nelson, and Salmo. This program is based on the national Nav-CARE Program, developed by Dr. Barb Pesut of the University of British Columbia and Dr. Wendy Duggleby of the University of Alberta.

The Nav-CARE Program Social Worker reports to the Nav-CARE Program Manager.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The Program Social Worker:

  1. Builds internal capacity for staff and volunteers
    1. Attends and supports monthly debriefing sessions with volunteers
    2. Participates in weekly staff meetings
    3. Teaches volunteers and staff healthy coping mechanisms and emotional processing practices
    4. Provides one to one mentorship and coaching to staff and volunteers as needed
  2. Collaborates with Program Coordinators on complex cases
    1. Supports client cases with complex interpersonal dynamics, mental health, personality disorders, and/or addictions
    2. Attends client intake assessments with Program Coordinators as needed
    3. Helps to find alternative supports for clients whose needs are beyond our scope of practice
  3. Conducts educational sessions with staff and volunteers
    1. Delivers presentations and workshops on specific topics
    2. Coordinates external training opportunities
  4. Liaises with the healthcare system and supports navigation
    1. Assists with healthcare system navigation
    2. Encourages an interdisciplinary approach
    3. Helps identify resources within the healthcare system and makes appropriate client referrals
  5. Serves as a resource on advance and end-of-life care planning
    1. Serves as a resource for the legal, financial, and medical aspects of advance and end-of-life care plans
    2. Provides referral to appropriate Medical Assistance In Dying (MAID) care and family supports
    3. Supplements grief support for staff and volunteers
  6. Promotes the client’s quality of life, fosters independence, and facilitates community connections
    1. Continues to update the Community Resource Guide and add in new services as they become available
  7. Contributes to program sustainability
    1. Maintains accurate and up-to-date records in the program database
    2. Assists with the evaluation of the Nav-CARE program
    3. Collaborates with the Nav-CARE Program Manager on future planning and funding requests
  8. Completes monthly status reports for the Nav-CARE Program Manager
  9. Meets with staff, board, volunteers, consultants, and other stakeholders as needed.
  10. Other duties as assigned

Education and Experience

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Social Work from an accredited School of Social Work preferred; an equivalent combination of education and experience working in the field of social work can be considered
  • Previous experience working with older adults and adults with chronic illness highly desirable
  • Previous demonstration as an effective communicator in a work environment
  • Familiarity with Google Drive, spreadsheets, Zoom, and basic word processing software
  • Experience with non-profit work considered an asset
  • Experience working with volunteers considered an asset
  • Ability to travel within the service area to meet with clients and volunteers (access to a car, valid Driver’s License)

Core Competencies

  • Serves with care and compassion
  • Behaves ethically
  • Communicates effectively
  • Demonstrates high level listening skills
  • Has well developed community networks with a demonstrated ability to cultivate relationships
  • Fosters teamwork and collaboration
  • Proactively addresses challenges
  • Sees each person’s unique gifts and strengths
  • Works efficiently and independently
  • Is well-organized and acts professionally in the workplace