Social Worker, Senior Medical

Social Worker, Senior Medical

Job Specification & Terms and Conditions

Job Title and Grade

Social Worker, Senior Medical

(Grade Code: 3019)

Campaign Reference

SCH/013/2026

Remuneration

The salary scale for these posts is (as at 01/08/2025)

€70,980 €73,003 €75,030 €77,053 €79,077 €81,099 €81,874

New appointees to any grade start at the minimum point of the scale. Incremental credit will be applied for recognised relevant service in Ireland and abroad (Department of Health Circular 2/2011). Incremental credit is normally granted on appointment, in respect of previous experience in the Civil Service, Local Authorities, Health Service and other Public Service Bodies and Statutory Agencies.

Closing Date

Wednesday 25th February 2026 @ 17:00 hrs

Proposed Interview Date (s)

To Be Confirmed. A start date will be agreed at job offer stage.

Taking up Appointment

A start date will be indicated at job offer stage.

Location of Post

Ospidéal Cholm Cille, Bóthar Bhré, Baile Uí Lachnáin, Co. Bhaile Átha Cliath D18 V9K1

St. Columcille's Hospital, Bray Road, Loughlinstown, Co. Dublin D18 V9K1

There is currently Two permanent, whole-time post available. The successful candidates may be required to work in any service area within the vicinity as the need arises.

A panel may be created for Senior Medical Social Worker Department, St Columcille’s Hospital from which permanent or temporary vacancies of full- or part-time duration may be filled.

Informal Enquiries

Name: Suzanne Kirk, HR Manager, St Columcille’s Hospital

Email: suzanne.kirk@hse.ie

Details of Service

· The person appointed to this post will work within the Medical Social Work Department as part of the multi-disciplinary team delivering an integrated and coordinated programme of care to patients and families.

· He / she will form part of the front-line multi-disciplinary team.

· He / She will join the Medical Social Work Team in St Columcille’s

Reporting Relationship

· The Senior MSW’s professional reporting relationship for clinical governance and clinical supervision will be to the Principal Social Worker.

Purpose of the Post

· To provide a quality Social Work service to St Columille’s Hospital patients and families

· The post holder will provide a service to patients and families as directed by the Principal Social Worker

· To work as part of the multi-disciplinary team and with the Principal SW to develop the role of social work and meet the objectives of the service and the organisation as a whole.

· To contribute to research and development in the field of social work with clients in collaboration with the MDT and the Principal social worker.

· To undertake direct work with patients and their families. Providing emotional support and expert social work interventions.

· To provide family support and interventions

· To act as an advocate with community and state services.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Professional / Clinical

· Provide a comprehensive social work service to patients and their families.

· Be responsible for the delivery of social work services appropriate to the post in line with best practice guidelines.

· Provide assessment and intervention as appropriate.

· Take direct responsibility for a defined caseload.

· Provide family based interventions when appropriate.

· Deliver a high quality service in an effective and resource efficient manner.

· Attend and participate in meetings, case discussions and case conferences as requested.

· Facilitate groups and projects in accordance with service need.

· Ensure clinical records are properly and accurately maintained and that appropriate statistical information is available as required.

· Participate in research and cooperate with internal and external audit and evaluation of the service as required.

· Ensure the promotion of the social model of care.

· Provide professional supervision to other social work staff as appropriate.

· Ensure principals of service user involvement are adhered to in all aspects of practice.

· Develop good working relationships with other members of the multi-disciplinary team, specialist services, community and voluntary organisations to provide integrated quality care to service users.

· Promote integrated models of service delivery between relevant stakeholders.

· Ensure anti-discriminatory practice and cultural competence.

· Contribute to the overall development of the social work service so as to meet current and emerging trends and unmet needs.

· Provide professional leadership at meetings, committees and/or other fora as required.

· Chair and participate in case conferences with the appropriate staff when the need arises.

· Seek advice and assistance from the Prinicpal Social Worker and / or Clinical Lead with any assigned cases or issues that prove to be beyond the scope of their professional competence

· Be professionally responsible for all aspects of the post holders own work.

· Perform any other duties that may be assigned by the Principal Social Worker

· Deputise for the Principal Social Worker as appropriate.

Education & Training

· Maintain standards of practice and levels of professional knowledge by participating in continuous professional development initiatives and attendance at courses as appropriate.

· Participate in mandatory and recommended training programmes.

· Engage in career and professional development planning.

· Act as a resource by participating in the education and training of social work colleagues and other health professionals as required.

· Manage, participate and play a key roe in the practice education of student social workers and promote and engage in the teaching / training / support of others as appropriate.

· Avail of supervision with the Principal Social Worker

· Engage in planning and performance reviews as appropriate with Principal Social Worker

Health & Safety

· Participate and cooperate with legislative, regulatory and policy requirements with regard to quality, risk and safety.

· Contribute to the development of policies, procedures, guidelines and safe professional practice as required.

· Initiate, support and implement quality improvement initiatives as required.

· 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.

· Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

Management

· Take responsibility for student social work training within the service.

· Provide line management supervision to assigned staff

· Be responsible for the co-ordination and delivery of the MSW service within the Weight Management service in conjunction with the Prinicpal Social Worker

· Act as a representative of the social work profession as required.

· Take responsibility for the supervision and line management of professionally qualified social workers if required.

· Assist the Principal Social Worker in team support, supervision and development as required.

The above Job Specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

Eligibility Criteria

Qualifications and/ or experience

Candidates must at the latest date of application:

1.Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc.

(i) 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

(iii) Have 3 years relevant post-qualification experience.

And

(iv) Must have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard
of suitability, professional and managerial ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.

2.Age

Age restriction shall only apply to a candidate where s/he is not classified as a new entrant (within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004). A candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 65 years of age on the first day of the month in which the latest date for receiving completed application forms for the office occurs.

3.Health

Candidates for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

4.Character

Candidates for and any person holding the office must be of good character.

Post Specific Requirements

· Knowledge and understanding of complex needs of the client group.

· Understanding of mental health as it relates to this client group including the ability to identify and assess risk

· Familiarity of conditions associated with this client goup

· Understanding of the role of MSW in behaviour management

· Knowledge and experience in counselling and advocacy as related to the role.

· Knowledge of the social issues most common to the client group and the role of MSW within this.

Other requirements specific to the post

Access to appropriate transport to fulfil the requirements of the role.

Skills, competencies and/or knowledge

Candidates must:

· Demonstrate sufficient clinical and professional knowledge to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role.

· Demonstrate an ability to apply knowledge to best practice

· Demonstrate the capacity to manage, plan and deliver interventions in an effective and resourceful manner within a model of person-centred care.

· Demonstrate a willingness to develop suitable special interests.

· Demonstrate initiative and innovation in identifying areas for service improvement

· Demonstrate the ability to manage and develop self and others in a busy working environment.

· Demonstrate the ability to engage in supervision and reflective practice.

· Demonstrate effective supervision skills

· Demonstrate strong leadership and team skills

· Demonstrate a commitment to delivering a quality ,user-centred service

· 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 and service development.

· Demonstrate the ability to empathise with and treat others with dignity and respect

· Display effective interpersonal and communication (verbal and written) skills including skills in multi-disciplinary working and the ability to collaborate with colleagues, families, etc.

· Demonstrate the ability to evaluate information, make effective decisions and solve problems.

· Demonstrate a high standard of IT skills relevant to the role

· Demonstrate commitment to continuing professional development.

Campaign Specific Selection Process

Ranking/Shortlisting / Interview

A ranking and or shortlisting exercise may be carried out on the basis of information supplied in your application form. The criteria for ranking and or shortlisting are based on the requirements of the post as outlined in the eligibility criteria and skills, competencies and/or knowledge section of this job specification. Therefore it is very important that you think about your experience in light of those requirements.

Failure to include information regarding these requirements may result in you not being called forward to the next stage of the selection process.

Those successful at the ranking stage of this process (where applied) will be placed on an order of merit and will be called to interview in ‘bands’ depending on the service needs of the organisation.

Code of Practice

The Health Service Executive will run this campaign in compliance with the Code of Practice prepared by the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA).

The CPSA is responsible for establishing the principles to be followed when making an appointment. These are set out in the CPSA Code of Practice. The Code outlines the standards to be adhered to at each stage of the selection process and sets out the review and appeal mechanisms open to candidates should they be unhappy with a selection process.

Read the CPSA Code of Practice.

The reform programme outlined for the Health Services may impact on this role and as structures change the job specification may be reviewed.

This job specification is a guide to the general range of duties assigned to the post holder. It is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive and is subject to periodic review with the employee concerned.

Social Worker, Senior Medical

Terms and Conditions of Employment

Tenure

The current vacany available 2 Permanent and whole-time.

These posts are pensionable. A panel may be created from which permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full or part time duration may be filled. The tenure of these posts will be indicated at “expression of interest” stage.

Appointment as an employee of the Health Service Executive is governed by the Health Act 2004 and the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointment) Act 2004 and Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Amendment Act 2013.

Remuneration

The salary scale for these posts is (as at 01/08/2025)

€70,980 €73,003 €75,030 €77,053 €79,077 €81,099 €81,874

New appointees to any grade start at the minimum point of the scale. Incremental credit will be applied for recognised relevant service in Ireland and abroad (Department of Health Circular 2/2011). Incremental credit is normally granted on appointment, in respect of previous experience in the Civil Service, Local Authorities, Health Service and other Public Service Bodies and Statutory Agencies.

Working Week

The standard working week applying to these posts is to be confirmed at job offer stage.

HSE Circular 003-2009 “Matching Working Patterns to Service Needs (Extended Working Day / Week Arrangements); Framework for Implementation of Clause 30.4 of Towards 2016” applies. Under the terms of this circular, all new entrants and staff appointed to promotional posts from Dec 16th 2008 will be required to work agreed roster / on call arrangements as advised by their line manager. Contracted hours of work are liable to change between the hours of 8am-8pm over seven days to meet the requirements for extended day services in accordance with the terms of the Framework Agreement (Implementation of Clause 30.4 of Towards 2016).

Annual Leave

The annual leave associated with these posts will be confirmed at job offer stage.

Superannuation

These are pensionable positions with the HSE. The successful candidate will upon appointment become a member of the appropriate pension scheme. Pension scheme membership will be notified within the contract of employment. Members of pre-existing pension schemes who transferred to the HSE on the 01st January 2005 pursuant to Section 60 of the Health Act 2004 are entitled to superannuation benefit terms under the HSE Scheme which are no less favourable to those which they were entitled to at 31st December 2004.

Probation

Every appointment of a person who is not already a permanent officer of the Health Service Executive or of a Local Authority shall be subject to a probationary period of 12 months as stipulated in the Department of Health Circular No.10/71.

Age

The Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Act, 2018* set 70 years as the compulsory retirement age for public servants.

* Public Servants not affected by this legislation:

Public servants joining the public service or re-joining the public service with a 26 week break in service, between 1 April 2004 and 31 December 2012 (new entrants) have no compulsory retirement age.

Public servants, joining the public service or re-joining the public service after a 26-week break, after 1 January 2013 are members of the Single Pension Scheme and have a compulsory retirement age of 70.

Protection of Children

Guidance and

Legislation

The welfare and protection of children is the responsibility of all HSE staff. You must be aware of and understand your specific responsibilities under the Children First Act 2015, the Protections for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998 in accordance with Section 2, Children First National Guidance and other relevant child safeguarding legislation and policies.

All Mandated Persons under the Children First Act 2015, within the HSE, are appointed as Designated Officers under the Protections for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act, 1998.

Mandated Persons such as line managers, doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, social workers, social care workers, and emergency technicians have additional responsibilities.

You should check if you are a Mandated Person and be familiar with the related roles and legal responsibilities.

Infection Control

Have a working knowledge of 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.

Health & Safety

It is the responsibility of line managers to ensure that the management of safety, health and welfare is successfully integrated into all activities undertaken within their area of responsibility, so far as is reasonably practicable. Line managers are named and roles and responsibilities detailed in the relevant Site Specific Safety Statement (SSSS).

Key responsibilities include:

· Developing a SSSS for the department/service[1], as applicable, based on the identification of hazards and the assessment of risks, and reviewing/updating same on a regular basis (at least annually) and in the event of any significant change in the work activity or place of work.

· Ensuring that Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) is integrated into day-to-day business, providing Systems Of Work (SOW) that are planned, organised, performed, maintained and revised as appropriate, and ensuring that all safety related records are maintained and available for inspection.

· Consulting and communicating with staff and safety representatives on OSH matters.

· Ensuring a training needs assessment (TNA) is undertaken for employees, facilitating their attendance at statutory OSH training, and ensuring records are maintained for each employee.

· Ensuring that all incidents occurring within the relevant department/service are appropriately managed and investigated in accordance with HSE procedures[2].

· Seeking advice from health and safety professionals through the National Health and Safety Function Helpdesk as appropriate.

· Reviewing the health and safety performance of the ward/department/service and staff through, respectively, local audit and performance achievement meetings for example.

Note: Detailed roles and responsibilities of Line Managers are outlined in local SSSS.

Ethics in Public Office 1995 and 2001

Positions remunerated at or above the minimum point of the Grade VIII salary scale (€ 65,812 as at 01.04.2017)

Positions remunerated at or above the minimum point of the Grade VIII salary scale (€ 64,812 as at 01.01.2010) are designated positions under Section 18 of the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995. Any person appointed to a designated position must comply with the requirements of the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 as outlined below;

A) In accordance with Section 18 of the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995, a person holding such a post is required to prepare and furnish an annual statement of any interests which could materially influence the performance of the official functions of the post. This annual statement of interest should be submitted to the Chief Executive Officer not later than 31st January in the following year.

B) In addition to the annual statement, a person holding such a post is required, whenever they are performing a function as an employee of the HSE and have actual knowledge, or a connected person, has a material interest in a matter to which the function relates, provide at the time a statement of the facts of that interest. A person holding such a post should provide such statement to the Chief Executive Officer. The function in question cannot be performed unless there are compelling reasons to do so and, if this is the case, those compelling reasons must be stated in writing and must be provided to the Chief Executive Officer.

C) A person holding such a post is required under the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 to act in accordance with any guidelines or advice published or given by the Standards in Public Office Commission. Guidelines for public servants on compliance with the provisions of the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 are available on the Standards Commission’s website http://www.sipo.gov.ie/

[1] A template SSSS and guidelines are available on the National Health and Safety Function/H&S web-pages

[2]See link on health and safety web-pages to latest Incident Management Policy