Job Description & Personal Specification
Basic Grade Social Worker
Department
Clinical Services
Job Function
Clinical
Reporting to
Chief Operations Officer
Location
Blackrock Health Hermitage Clinic
Job Purpose
The Medical Social Worker role is responsible for assessing the psychosocial functioning of patients and families and intervene as necessary. Interventions may include connecting patients and families to necessary resources and supports in the community, providing supportive or grief counselling. Medical Social Workers typically work alongside an interdisciplinary team with professionals of other disciplines and will provide exceptional patient care in an environment where quality, respect, caring and compassion are at the centre of all we do. As a key member of the frontline team, the Medical Social Worker will demonstrate professional competence, a strong collaborative approach and facilitate effective communication with colleagues in the hospital. The position requires a strategic approach to the development of services and structures, embracing continuous quality improvement and the management of changes necessary to achieve organisational objectives.
Job Background/Context
Blackrock Health Hermitage Clinic is a private hospital providing a full range of medical and surgical care across a broad spectrum of specialities. The Medical Social Worker will assess the psychosocial functioning of patients and families and intervene as necessary in order to assess and manage services to patients in BHHC. The Medical Social Worker will also be responsible for developing the services offered in conjunction with the Senior Social Worker and the related policies and procedures.
Key Responsibilities
Operations
- Provide counselling, information and support as appropriate to hospital patients and their families within the specific area of work allocated to him or her.
- Carry out psychosocial assessments where social issues are a factor in Illness management and advise the multidisciplinary team on the outcome.
- Formulate discharge care plans for patients together with the multidisciplinary team.
- Assess patients' support system in order to ensure that, upon discharge, patients have an appropriate level of support for their needs in their families and community.
- Ensure the necessary liaison and cooperation with medical, nursing and other disciplines in the hospital and in consultation with them to arrange for case conferences in appropriate cases.
- Cooperate with community and other health services, statutory bodies and appropriate voluntary bodies, agencies and individuals, so that current and aftercare of patients is best catered for.
- Lead out on debriefing process for staff, when required.
- Keep accurate records of social work intervention.
- Any other duties as may be assigned from time to time by Hospital Management.
- Promote a patient centred culture of openness and responsiveness to positive and constructive patient feedback and ensuring patient dignity, respect and choice is maintained in their care.
Learning and Education
- Contribute to professional and personal development opportunities for all nursing and support staff working with the relevant Learning and Education specialists to develop an appropriate programme of learning and education based on a planned (individual, department and organisation) training needs assessment.
- Take personal responsibility for own professional development and keep up to date with evidence based practice and research.
- Attend and participate in staff development programmes on an ongoing basis and sharing knowledge with other staff members.
- Assist with the orientation and induction of new staff and be available to provide orientation as deemed necessary, helping them to integrate as members of the Unit team.
- Assist in the training of nursing and other support staff.
- Identify and inform the Learning and Education Team of any training and professional development requirements.
- Attend all mandatory training days and ensure that all mandatary training is in date.
- Comply with all HR system and policy requirements.
Quality Improvement and Risk Management
Ensure compliance with all relevant BHHC guidelines, policies, procedures and relevant legislation and regulatory requirements.
Participate in the continuous review and evaluation of policies, guidelines and existing practices through regular audit programmes and review engaging with the multi-disciplinary team where required.
Assist in promoting a culture of continuous quality improvement across the department.
Be aware of the core objectives, standards and key performance indicators for the service and contribute to the monitoring of performance against these standards.
Participate in the requirements of the hospitals accreditation process.
Participate in the requirements of the hospital's risk management programme.
Promote the delivery of a high standard of care to all patients. Encourage evidence-based practice and assist in the dissemination and implementation of research findings.
Work with members of the Multidisciplinary team in devising Standard Operating Procedures for the development of the Unit.
Assist in ensuring a culture of safety, promoting positive reporting of incidents and near misses; investigate and take remedial action on incidents or near misses
Essential CriteriaKnowledge/Experience
Must be registered in the Social Workers Register maintained by the Social Workers Registration Board at CORU
And
(ii) Maintain live annual registration on the Social Workers Register
maintained by the Social Workers Registration Board at CORU
And
(iv) Must have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability, professional, administrative and managerial ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.
Have recent relevant experience (full-time or equivalent hours part-time) in an acute hospital or community setting
Familiarity with community care agencies both voluntary and non-voluntary
Possess a good understanding of the legislative framework of social work practice and the associated statutory responsibilities of the role.
Skills/ Competencies
Demonstrate an ability to apply knowledge to best practice.
Demonstrate the capacity to deliver the Social Work service in an effective and resourceful manner within a model of person-centred care.
Demonstrate effective time management skills across a busy dynamic caseload.
Demonstrate an ability to use own initiative in decision making within caseload management
Display effective interpersonal and communication (verbal and written) skills including skills in multi-disciplinary working and the ability to collaborate with colleagues, families, etc.
Display awareness and appreciation of the service user as expert through experience including promoting the role of service user in care planning and decision-making.
Demonstrate the ability to empathise with and treat others with dignity and respect.
Demonstrate a willingness to develop IT skills relevant to the role.
Demonstrate commitment to continuing professional development.
Desireable Skills Knowledge/ Experience
Further professional exams
This Job Description is intended as a basic guide to the scope and responsibilities of the position and is subject to regular review and amendment. The role holder will be required to be flexible in this position and is expected to facilitate working additional hours on occasion, when requested.
The Hermitage Clinic is an Equal Opportunities Employer
