UHWA Social Worker, Senior Medical

***************PLEASE COMPLETE THE APPLICATION FORM FULLY, CV'S ARE NOT ACCEPTED**********

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

The Senior Medical Social Worker will:

Professional/Clinical

• Be responsible for the management of the day-to-day provision of the social work service under the direction of the Principal Medical Social Worker.
• Take direct responsibility for a defined caseload as required, in particular cases that require a high level of experience and expertise.
• Provide an initial assessment service to all care groups and to develop referral procedures with other social work networked services.
• Carry out psychosocial assessments where social issues are a factor in Illness
• Work with and advise the multi-disciplinary team in the relevant areas on assessment outcomes.
• 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 case conferences and meetings as required.
• Ensure the implementation of models of best practice / evidence based practice.
• Ensure the delivery of social work services in accordance with legislation, policies and procedures, guidelines and protocols.
• Develop effective working relationships with and between individual, different agencies, community resources and other professionals.
• Ensure the delivery of social work services in an integrated and multidisciplinary manner with a range of statutory and voluntary groups and organisations.
• Contribute to the care, support and protection of people who are at risk to themselves or others.
• Ensure the promotion of the social model of care and recognition of the social determinants of health and well-being.
• 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
• Promote a culture that values diversity and respect in the workplace.
• Participate in working groups / committees as requested by the Chief Executive Officer of UHW.
• Facilitate groups and projects in accordance with service need.
• Organise, chair, attend and manage a range of meetings as required.
• Attend court, tribunals etc. as and when required.
• Seek the advice of relevant personnel when appropriate / as required.
• Take an active role in an appropriate level of planned professional supervision, in accordance with the local/ national Supervision Policy. Engage in reflective practice and ongoing continuous professional development.
• Keep the Principal Social Worker fully informed and up-to-date on all significant matters.
• Ensure compliance with social work departmental policies and procedures including the use of standardised social work documentation, the completing of training and other relevant templates as well as providing statistical data on the services being provided on a regular basis.

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 updated on current and impending legislation and the perceived impact on practice.
• Keep abreast of developments in national policies and strategies and international best practice.
• Keep up to date with organisational developments within the Irish Health and Social Services.
• 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.

Health & Safety

• Comply with and contribute to the development of policies, procedures and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards and ensure that staff comply with same.
• 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.

Management

• Provide leadership and motivation in order to optimise service delivery by developing teams and promoting change management.
• Be responsible for the induction and 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 and procedures and guidelines.
• Contribute to a range of reports including annual reports, performance indicators etc as requested by the Principal Social Worker.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of policy, information sharing protocols, audit systems and referral and integrated care pathways.
• Contribute to service plan process by recognising and replicating successful interventions and by identifying unmet needs and service requirements into the future.
• Ensure a high standard of documentation, including service user files in accordance with local guidelines and the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.
• 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.
• Maintain accurate up to date records and files, and submit activity data as required.
• Write accurate, clear, concise and purposeful reports.
• Ensure the maintenance of service user and data confidentiality.
• Deputise for the Principal Social Worker as agreed and when required.
• Assist in ensuring that the social work service makes the most efficient and effective use of developments in IT.

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.