Salary Range: $74,618-$107,264/year. The starting salary for this position would be determined with consideration of the successful candidate’s relevant education and experience, and would be in alignment with the provincial compensation reference plan. Salary will be prorated accordingly for part time roles.

Job Summary:

In accordance with the Purpose, Vision, Values and Coast Salish Teachings, and strategic directions of PHSA, safety, including both patient and employee safety, is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA. As such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

Reporting to the Manager, Patient & Family Experience, the Patient & Family Support Specialist is integral to the post-organ donation direct client service and capacity building efforts of BC Transplant’s Patient & Family Experience program, providing strategic leadership and advanced clinical services. Working from a patient and family-centered, trauma-informed care model, the Patient & Family Support Specialist provides specialized clinical and consultative services to families who have consented to organ donation on behalf of their loved one at the end of their life or who have supported their loved one when they provided first-person consent to become an organ donor following their medically assisted death. With advanced therapeutic skills, the Patient & Family Support Specialist supports families in coping with sudden and traumatic losses, offering clinical counseling, group work, education, and consultation services provincewide.  The Specialist also supports psychosocial care and program initiatives for patients and families throughout the continuum of organ transplant care in BC.

Operating within an interdisciplinary setting, the Patient & Family Support Specialist fosters a positive therapeutic environment and ensures culturally safe care. They engage with donor families through various communication channels and may follow them for up to 12-18 months post-organ donation, tailoring support based on individual needs and available resources. The Patient & Family Support Specialist reviews and evaluates national and international family services programs for best practices and research; develops surveys and, collects feedback from donor families to inform program development.

Qualifications:

A level of education, training, and experience equivalent to a Master’s degree in Social Work from an accredited university plus five (5) years of recent, related experience as a social worker providing clinical expertise, as well as comprehensive therapeutic intervention with individuals/families/groups in a healthcare setting. Current full registration with the British Columbia College of Social Workers.

•    Comprehensive knowledge of social work theory and practice, including issues related to grief, sudden or traumatic loss, end-of-life care and decision-making, and mental health.
•    Demonstrated ability to conduct and document comprehensive psychosocial assessments, as well as provide individual, family, and group counseling in a healthcare setting.
•    Demonstrated program development skills to identify gaps/needs and plan programs/develop services for patients and their families.
•    Proficiency in facilitating group sessions and applying other healthcare best practices in an interdisciplinary environment.
•    Strong initiative in pursuing professional development and collaborating effectively within interdisciplinary teams.
•    Demonstrated ability to communicate both verbally and in writing, and to effectively deal with co-workers, physicians, healthcare professionals, clients, families, and external agencies.
•    Proficiency in planning, organizing, and prioritizing work, resolving conflict, problem-solving, and demonstrating leadership and coordination skills.
•    Knowledge of community resources.
•    Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
•    Basic computer literacy to operate a computerized patient care information system.
•    Experience in intensive care unit, emergency department and/or mental health settings considered an asset.