Social Worker

The Senior Medical Social Worker will:

·        Deliver a quality service to patients/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

·        Ensure the delivery of social work services is in accordance with CORU’s Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for the Social Work profession, relevant legislation and HSE policies, procedures, guidelines and protocols.

·        Work as part of a MDT/FIT team, and advising on assessment outcomes, contributing to treatment planning and decision making, in order to deliver a high quality intervention/care plan for patients.

·        Provide psychosocial assessment, support and counselling for patients within the Frailty pathway.

·        Incorporate Social Work values and ethical principles in planning, developing, implementing and reviewing interventions.

·        Ensure the promotion of the social model of care and recognition of the social determinants of health and well-being.

·        Take direct responsibility for a defined caseload as required, in particular cases that require a high level of experience and expertise.

·        Undertake comprehensive assessment and engagement in discharge care planning processes to ensure the patient’s psychosocial and emotional needs are addressed in a timely manner before discharge, and ensuring the patient has an appropriate level of support for their needs within their family and community services.

·        Carry out psychosocial assessments where social issues are a factor in illness.

·        Develop effective working relationships with and between individual, different agencies, community resources and other professionals.

·        Ensure the necessary liaison and cooperation with members of the multidisciplinary teams in the hospital and in consultation with them, arrange/attend for case conferences as appropriate.

·        Liaise with community services, statutory and voluntary agencies and professionals ensuring that patients, current and aftercare needs are met in the community.

·        Contribute to the care, support and protection of people who are at risk to themselves or others.

·        Assist with psychosocial problems, etc., referring to the appropriate agencies and advocating on behalf of the patient as needed.

·        Ensure the implementation of models of best practice / evidence based practice.

·        Ensure compliance with professional standards, ethical principles and relevant legislation.

·        Ensure the delivery of social work services in accordance with legislation, policies and procedures, guidelines and protocols.

·        Ensure the implementation of models of best practice / evidence based practice.

·        Be responsible for the provision of a high quality Social Work input and carry out clinical and educational duties as required.

·        Carry out responsibilities for Senior Medical Social Worker within the Social Work Department as agreed by the Social Work Team Leader.

·        Provide professional supervision for staff grade social workers.

·        Mentor less experienced staff, assisting in the development and implementation of induction programmes and taking a lead role in the supervision of social work students.

·        Provide expert clinical leadership in medical social work for other health and social care professionals within SUH.

·        Maintain high standards of clinical practice within this area through recording accurate statistical data, clinical evaluation, audit opportunities and evidence-based practice.

·        Contribute to the education and implementation of guidelines and pathways in accordance with emerging developments, legislation and policies within the hospital and within the field of social work, as designated by the Social Work Team Leader.

·        Work in conjunction with Social Work Team Leader in coordinating and developing the service to meet the needs of patients and the objectives of the service.

·        Engage in research, education and training to ensure the development and continuity of high clinical standards.

·        Contribute to the development, and evaluation of the social work service, as deemed necessary to meet service objectives and KPIs.

·        Ensure anti-discriminatory practice and cultural competence, at individual and service levels.

·        Actively participate as a member of the relevant team / service in team building and change management initiatives.

·        Attend case conferences, meetings court, tribunals etc. as required.

·        Participate in working groups / committees.

·        Keep Line Manager fully informed and up-to-date on all significant matters.

·        Carry out other duties appropriate to the office assigned by the Team Leader.

The Social Worker, Senior Medical will:

Professional / Clinical

·        Deliver a quality service to patients/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

·        Ensure the delivery of social work services is in accordance with CORU’s Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for the Social Work profession, relevant legislation and HSE policies, procedures, guidelines and protocols.

·        Incorporate Social Work values and ethical principles in planning, developing, implementing and reviewing interventions.

·        Ensure the promotion of the social model of care and recognition of the social determinants of health and well-being.

·        Ensure the implementation of models of best practice / evidence based practice.

·        Be responsible for the management of the day-to-day provision of the social work service in conjunction with other Senior Medical Social Worker(s).

·        Take direct responsibility for a defined caseload as required, in particular cases that require a high level of experience and expertise.

·        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.

·        Provide an initial assessment service to all care groups and develop referral procedures with community and other networked services.

·        Make it possible for clients / service users to advocate for their own needs, or where appropriate advocate on behalf of service users.

·        Ensure the delivery of social work services in an integrated and multidisciplinary manner with a range of statutory and voluntary groups and organisations. Develop effective working relationships with and between individual, different agencies, community resources and other professionals.

·        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.

·        Maintain continuity of service in Social Work provision to clients already known / referred through the Community Team when they have transferred to any other setting e.g. residential / hospital.

·        Ensure anti-discriminatory practice and cultural competence, at individual and service levels.

·        Provide an appropriate level of supervision for staff consistent with good practice and the local / national Supervision Policy.

·        Actively participate as a member of the relevant team / service in team building and change management initiatives.

·        Attend case conferences, meetings court, tribunals etc. as required.

·        Participate in working groups / committees.

·        Keep Line Manager fully informed and up-to-date on all significant matters.

Education & Training

·        Maintain standards of practice and levels of professional knowledge by monitoring and reviewing the standards within their area of responsibility, participating in and organising continuous professional development initiatives and professional development planning.

·        Engage in career and professional development planning in collaboration with the Principal Social Worker (or designate) 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.

·        Actively engage in staff development and training by making recommendations with regard to the on-going education, mentoring, training and in-service needs of social workers.

·        Act as a resource by participating in and promoting the education and training of Social Work colleagues, other health professionals and service user groups including clinical audit and research.

·        Manage, participate and play a role in the practice education of student social workers, supervise student social work placements.

·        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.

·        Engage in the HSE performance achievement process in conjunction with your Line Manager and staff as appropriate.

Health & Safety

• Comply with and contribute to the development of policies, procedures, guidelines and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards

·        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. Adequately identifies, assesses, manages and monitors risk within their area of responsibility.

·        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.

Management

·        Contribute to service developments by monitoring and evaluating emerging needs and trends / identifying unmet needs and service requirements into the future, and recognising and replicating successful interventions.

·        In consultation with the Principal Social Worker (or designate) develop the role of the social worker and the service through, for example, planning, audit, production of standards, continuing education, quality improvement initiatives and research.

·        Contribute to policy development, performance monitoring and budgetary control of service.

·        Provide leadership and motivation in optimising service delivery by developing teams and promoting change management.

·        Take responsibility for the supervision and line management of staff as required.

·        Be responsible for the probationary appraisal of staff and the completion of probationary appraisal reports as required. Make appropriate recommendations regarding whether employees’ standard of work during probation is satisfactory and whether appointments should be confirmed.

·        Ensure compliance with and implement HR policies, procedures and guidelines.

·        Contribute to a range of reports including annual reports, performance indicators, etc. as required.

·        Maintain a high standard of documentation, including service user files in accordance with local guidelines, Freedom of Information (FOI) and GDPR Acts.

·        Maintain accurate up to date records and files, and submit activity data as required.

·        Write accurate, clear, concise and purposeful reports.

·        Contribute to the development and implementation of information sharing protocols and audit systems.

·        Assist in ensuring that the social work service makes the most efficient and effective use of developments in IT.

KPI’s

• The identification and development of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) which are congruent with the Hospital’s service plan targets.
• The development of Action Plans to address KPI targets.
• Driving and promoting a Performance Management culture.
• In conjunction with line manager assist in the development of a Performance Management system for your profession.
• The management and delivery of KPIs as a routine and core business objective.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING GENERAL CONDITIONS:

·        Employees must attend fire lectures periodically and must observe fire orders.

·        All accidents within the Department must be reported immediately.

·        Infection Control Policies must be adhered to.

·        In line with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Acts 2005 and 2010 all staff must comply with all safety regulations and audits.

·        In line with the Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Act 2004, smoking within the Hospital Buildings is not permitted.

·        Hospital uniform code must be adhered to.

·        Provide information that meets the need of Senior Management.

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

Risk Management, Infection Control, Hygiene Services and Health & Safety

·        The management of Risk, Infection Control, Hygiene Services and Health & Safety is the responsibility of everyone and will be achieved within a progressive, honest and open environment.

·        The post holder must be familiar with the necessary education, training and support to enable them to meet this responsibility.

·        The post holder has a duty to familiarise themselves with the relevant Organisational Policies, Procedures & Standards and attend training as appropriate in the following areas:

o   Continuous Quality Improvement Initiatives

o   Document Control Information Management Systems

o   Risk Management Strategy and Policies

o   Hygiene Related Policies, Procedures and Standards

o   Decontamination Code of Practice

o   Infection Control Policies

o   Safety Statement, Health & Safety Policies and Fire Procedure

o   Data Protection and confidentiality Policies

·        The post holder is responsible for ensuring that they become familiar with the requirements stated within the Risk Management Strategy and that they comply with the Group’s Risk Management Incident/Near miss reporting Policies and Procedures.

·        The post holder is responsible for ensuring that they comply with hygiene services requirements in your area of responsibility. Hygiene Services incorporates environment and facilities, hand hygiene, catering, cleaning, the management of laundry, waste, sharps and equipment.

·        The post holder must foster and support a quality improvement culture through-out your area of responsibility in relation to hygiene services.

·        The post holders’ responsibility for Quality & Risk Management, Hygiene Services and Health & Safety will be clarified to you in the induction process and by your line manager.

·        The post holder must take reasonable care for his or her own actions and the effect that these may have upon the safety of others.

·        The post holder must cooperate with management, attend Health & Safety related training and not undertake any task for which they have not been authorised and adequately trained.

·        The post holder is required to bring to the attention of a responsible person any perceived shortcoming in our safety arrangements or any defects in work equipment.

·        It is the post holder’s responsibility to be aware of and comply with the HSE Health Care Records Management/Integrated Discharge Planning (HCRM / IDP) Code of Practice.

Risk Management, Quality, Health & Safety

·        Adequately identifies, assesses, manages and monitors risk within their area of responsibility.

·        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.

Education & Training

·        Engage in the HSE performance achievement process in conjunction with your Line Manager and staff as appropriate.

The above Job Description 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 have at the latest date of application:

1.       Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc.

a)     Eligible applicants will be those who on the closing date for the competition:

(i)

Must be registered in the Social Workers Register maintained by the Social Work 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.       Health

A candidate 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.

3.       Character

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

Remuneration

The salary scale for the post at (01/06/2026) is:

€72,407, €74,470, €76,583, €78,602, €80,667, €82,729, €83,520