INTERNAL & EXTERNAL COMPETITION
2025/116 Medical Social Worker
Specified Purpose, Full Time
The purpose of the post is to provide a social work service that seeks to improve the health and social wellbeing of the service users. This will be achieved through the implementation of an accessible, equitable, person-centred service.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
Professional / Clinical
Deliver a quality service to service users ensuring professional standards are maintained in accordance with the requirements as set out by CORU https://coru.ie/files-education/scwrb-standards-of-proficiency-for-social-care-workers.pdf
Work within current legislation, relevant policies and procedures, guidelines and protocols as laid down by the employer.
Incorporate Social Work values and ethical principles in planning, developing, implementing and reviewing interventions.
Manage and prioritise a caseload as required.
Implement models of best practice / evidence based practice.
Ensure the promotion of the social model of care and recognition of the social determinants of health and well-being.
Provide a comprehensive social work service to patients and families, to include psycho-social assessment, intervention, discharge planning and follow up or referral on, as required, to statutory and / or voluntary services.
Make it possible for clients / service users to advocate for their own needs, or where appropriate advocate on behalf of service users.
Work with and advise the multi-disciplinary team in the relevant areas on assessment outcomes.
Deliver social work service in collaboration with other disciplines / agencies as required, in appropriate settings reflecting the needs of the service user.
Develop effective working relationships with and between clients / service users, statutory and non-statutory agencies and professionals.
Keep accurate signed records of all medical social work intervention and ensure that statistical data on service provision is available as requested.
Formulate discharge care plans for patients together with the multidisciplinary team, to assess a patient's support system in order to ensure that, upon discharge, patients have an appropriate level of support for their needs in their families and community.
Attend multidisciplinary team meetings and case conferences as required.
Work as part of the generic duty service provided.
Promote anti-discriminatory practice and cultural competence.
Actively participate as a member of the relevant team / service in team building and change management initiatives.
Keep Line Manager fully informed and up-to-date on all significant matters.
Deputise for the Social Work Team Leader as agreed / appropriate.
Education & Training
Maintain standards of practice and levels of professional knowledge by participating in continuous professional development.
Engage in career and professional development planning in collaboration with the Social Work Team Leader / Principal Social Worker and in meeting CORU expectations.
Keep up to date with advances in Social Work research, and on-going review and evaluation of literature relevant to the assigned area.
Keep abreast of developments in national policies and strategies and international best practice.
Keep up to date with organisational developments within the Irish Health Service.
Act as a resource by participating in the induction, education and training of Social Work colleagues, other health professionals and service user groups as required.
Participate in the practice education of student Social Workers.
Participate in any research projects and teaching programs involving the Medical Social Work Department.
Foster an understanding of the role and contribution of social work by providing professional consultation and education to other members of the service.
Take an active role in professional clinical supervision and engage in reflective practice in accordance with CORU requirements and the local / national Supervision Policy.
Health & Safety
Comply with and contribute to the development of policies, procedures, guidelines and safe professional practice.
Document appropriately and report any near misses, hazards and accidents and bring them to the attention of designated individual(s) in line with best practice.
Work in a safe manner with due care and attention to the safety of self and others.
Be aware of risk management issues, identify risks and take appropriate action.
Comply with department procedures with regard to assessment, recommendation and/or manufacturing of all assistive devices.
Promote a culture that values diversity and respect.
Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc. and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.
Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.
Administrative
Maintain a high standard of documentation, including service user files in accordance with local guidelines, Freedom of Information (FOI) and GDPR Acts.
Write accurate, clear, concise and purposeful reports.
Contribute to the development and implementation of information sharing protocols and audit systems. Submit activity data as required.
Contribute to policy development, performance monitoring and budgetary control of service in conjunction with the Social Work Team Leader / Principal Social Worker.
Collaborate with the Social Work Team Leader / Principal Social Worker or designate in developing the role of the Social Worker and the service e.g. through planning, audit, production of standards, continuing education, quality improvement initiatives and research.
Assist in ensuring that the social work service makes the most efficient and effective use of developments in IT.
Skills, Competencies and/or Knowledge:
Professional Knowledge & Experience
Demonstrate sufficient professional knowledge to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role safely and effectively within the legal, ethical and practice boundaries of the profession.
Demonstrate experience of applying evidence based practice.
Demonstrate an ability to apply knowledge to best practice.
Demonstrate ability to utilise supervision effectively.
Demonstrate a willingness to engage with ICT and develop ICT skills relevant to the role.
Demonstrate commitment to continuing professional development.
Experience in bereavement is desireable
Planning and Managing Resources
Demonstrates the capacity to plan and deliver care in an effective and resourceful manner within a model of person-centred care.
Demonstrates an ability to handle a varied caseload in a flexible and responsive manner and to effectively handle multiple tasks.
Foresees potential problems or competing priorities and takes appropriate action to ensure service standards do not suffer / deadlines are met.
Demonstrates innovation in aiming to work within resource limitations to sustain and enhance the service.
Team Skills
Demonstrates an ability to work on own initiative as well as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Demonstrates a willingness to get involved and assist others as appropriate.
Reacts constructively to setbacks, is able to maintain professionalism and manage situations where conflict arises.
Empathises with others and seeks to understand their frustrations.
Commitment to providing a Quality Service
Demonstrates a commitment to the delivery of a high quality, person centred service.
Demonstrates initiative and innovation in identifying areas for service improvement.
Demonstrates an ability to be flexible and embrace change in order to enhance service delivery and improve service user care.
Displays an awareness and appreciation of the service user as expert through experience including promoting the involvement of the service user in care planning, decision-making and service development.
Evaluating Information and Judging Situations
Demonstrates the ability to critically analyse, evaluate information, and make effective decisions with regard to service user care.
Demonstrates the ability to think ahead to the consequences of decisions and considers precedence to ensure consistency.
Establishes integrity by ensuring that the professional, ethical and safety factors are fully considered in decisions into which they have input.
Recognises when it is appropriate to refer decisions to a higher level of authority or to include other colleagues in the decision.
Communications and Interpersonal Skills
Displays effective communication skills (verbal & written).
Tailors the communication method and the message to match the needs of the audience.
Demonstrates effective interpersonal skills. Is sensitive to issues arising from multiple stakeholders, is patient and understanding.
Demonstrate the ability to empathise with and treat others with dignity and respect.
Anticipates and recognises the emotional reactions of others when delivering sensitive messages.
All informal enquiries can be sent to Sinead Devitt, Principal Medical Social Worker at sdevitt@rotunda.ie.
Closing Date: 10th September 2025