Link Worker

Competition 2336

This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This position has a term length of 18 months and offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Location - This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person. Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton. Visits to the Mazankowski Heart Function Clinic and the CK Hui Heart Centre.

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Position Summary

The ideal candidate is knowledgeable about community services but is not a professional social worker. They play an integral role in bridging the gap between healthcare and social care. As a Social Prescribing professional, the link worker will collaborate with community organizations to provide non-medical support to improve the overall health and well-being of study participants.

The link worker will be part of a multidisciplinary research team working to assess the impact of Social Prescribing on adherence to treatment of women living with heart failure using a clinical trial. This Clinical Trial will be conducted at the Heart failure clinics in 2 hospitals in the Edmonton area: the Mazankowski Heart Function Clinic and the CK Hui Heart Centre.

The role of the link worker includes a diverse range of responsibilities – from helping to conduct assessments and develop personalized care plans, to providing practical support to patients with heart failure who have accepted to participate in this social prescribing project and who are randomized to the social prescribing arm. The link worker will also create and populate a list of potential community services during the trial.

Duties 

• Work on a one-to-one basis with study participants to improve their health and well-being.
• Help assess participants' needs, interests and goals using a tool to enable open discussion.
• Assist study participants to prioritize their needs and identify barriers that may prevent or dissuade them from accessing community resources.
• Assist study participants in navigating and accessing resources available in their community and co producing with them a plan to improve health and well-being through social prescribing.
• Provide non-judgmental support, respecting diversity and lifestyle choices, working from a strength-based approach.
• Refer study participants for appropriate resources whenever needed. 
• Support and encourage individuals to use the services available in their community.
• Follow up with study participants on a regular basis during the study period to ensure access and use of community resources. 
• Help the team evaluate changes in needs, interests and goals and discuss next steps ensuring the participant is able to engage. 
• Work in partnership with health professionals and the Community and voluntary sector. 
• Build relationships and establish clear roles with the local health care providers at the heart failure clinics (e.g., cardiologists, social workers, nurse-clinicians, administrative staff) and project staff such as (e.g. Principal Investigators, project coordinator, and administrative staff). 
• Develop collaborative relationships with local community organizations to make appropriate and supported referrals. 
• Contribute to the development and update of the database for local community groups, resources and services. 
• Additional tasks may be assigned by the Principal Investigator as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Education.
• A certificate or Diploma in Social Service Program is considered an asset.
• A minimum of 3 years of experience in a community development or healthcare, or related field.
• Excellent listening skills with the ability to empathize and offer person-centered coaching and support in a respectful and non-judgmental manner. 
• Offer support that cultivates trust and confidence, empowering individuals to reach their full potential.
• Knowledgeable about community services and resources. 
• Experience working with diverse cultural groups.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to make informed decisions.
• Capable of working independently and managing time efficiently. 
• Exceptional planning, writing, and organizational skills.
• Self-motivated with the ability to collaborate effectively as part of a team.
• Highly organized with a strong adherence to established protocols.
• Computer skills including Word, Excel, and data entry (REDCap would be a benefit). 
• Fluent in English (other languages would be a benefit).