Sargon David Professional Profile

Name: Sargon J. David

Position(s): Home Care Coordinator (P-T job) with Can Care Health Services
& Client Service Assistant (F-T job) with Scarborough Community Care Access Centre

Field: Social Work (Social Services)/Gerontology/Home Care & Long-Term Care

What is your Educational Background? (i.e. Degree, Diploma, Certificate, etc.)

I have a B.A. degree in Sociology from York University (2003). I also have a Social Work Diploma with a specialty in Gerontology from Seneca College (1997).
I hold a Medical Terminology Certificate from George Brown College (2005). Additionally, I have completed various Supervisory Certificate Courses from the Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA).

Are there any Special Certifications/Licenses Required? If so, please describe them

Annual registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers & Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW)
http://www.ocswssw.org/

What are the Day-to-Day Responsibilities in your Position?

Great question – varies according to the job.       As a Home Care Coordinator – the day-to-day duties are very fast-paced and demanding. I am responsible for the supervision and delivery of home based health care to seniors, adults with disabilities, mental health clients and young children.   I visit clients in their homes to do detailed assessments of their care needs and to determine their eligibility for home care. Scheduling health care workers daily to provide the services and all aspects of their on-going training & supervision is critical also.
Home based health care is a growing field and is vigorously supported and funded by all levels of government. It is more economical to enable people to live in their own homes with this type of support and most people prefer it that way. It also helps delay and sometime prevents premature institutionalization into long-term care homes (nursing homes).
As a Client Service Assistant – the day-to-day duties revolve around statistical reporting for the Ministry of Health & Long-term Care. I manage the waiting lists for all 22 long-term care homes (nursing homes) in Scarborough. Generating reports on long-term care data for ministry usage. As a government office, meeting the general public when they need consulting about care options for older adults. Facilitating outreach events and speaking at said functions to the general public and related stakeholders.

What is the Work Environment for an Entry Level Position? (i.e. Clientele type, Working Space, etc.)

The clients I serve are holders of valid provincial health cards that have care needs that cannot be met without assistance from health care providers. The clients may also need advocacy, counselling and referral assistance to help them better manage to navigate through the health care system.
Both positions are office based. I have my own desk with a personal computer, telephone and various equipment, i.e. digital scanners, faxes, etc.

What is the Highest Position you can reach in this Field and Describe its Work Environment?

The highest position that can be reached would be a Social Worker that is employed in a hospital.
The work environment is more demanding and so is the responsibility that goes with it. A hospital social worker assists patients, families of patients and vulnerable populations suffering from emotionally devastating illnesses. They support their psychosocial needs to better cope with chronic, acute or terminal illnesses, such as Alzheimer’s disease, cancer and AIDS. They work in all areas and programs that a hospital can offer, from obstetrics to geriatrics.

What is the Most Valuable Thing you have learned in your Career?

By helping others, I help myself. I know it is a simple statement, but it has proven very true to me innumerable times. Social Work is a profession for those of us with a strong desire to help improve people’s lives. I have assisted people to function the best way they can in their environment. Whether it was clients facing a life threatening disease or a social problem such as elderly abuse, I was there to assist in the best capacity I could. Although I did specialise in Gerontology (the study of Aging) because I admire older people and have always enjoyed their company and wisdom, there are many other options for work. It is a broad field where one can find employment with different groups, such as (but not limited to) anti-poverty, child welfare, disability services, housing, immigrant and refugee services, mental health, addictions and substance abuse, etc.