Medical Social Worker

JOB DESCRIPTION Job title: Medical Social Worker Grade:Basic Grade Reports to:Principal Medical Social Worker Working Hours:35 hours per week for a Full-time employee. Mission and Values of the Hospital Mission We strive for excellence in meeting the holistic needs of our patients in a caring and healing environment in which the essential contribution of each member of staff is valued. The values of human dignity, compassion, justice, quality and advocacy rooted in the mission guide us in our work. We will, within the foregoing context, make every effort to maintain excellence in clinical care, teaching and research. Comh mheas, comh bh, comh phrtocht agus comh oibre bunsraith r gcuid saothar uile. Core Values Human Dignity Compassion Justice Quality Advocacy Role Summary: Provide a professional social work service to patients and their families who are under the care of Consultant Physicians and Surgeons as delegated by the Principal Social Worker. Key Duties and Responsibilities Clinical Responsibility Carry out psychosocial assessments with patients and families Facilitate discharge planning with patients where appropriate and liaise with community resources/services. Support patients in relation to the emotional and practical aspects of their illness and, where appropriate, advocate on their behalf. Respond appropriately and efficiently to referrals involving crisis, risk and statutory reporting. Work closely with the Multidisciplinary team to achieve common goals pertaining to patients. Effectively manage a busy caseload across multiple clinical divisions including surgery, medicine and the Emergency Department. Actively participate as a member of the relevant team/ service in team building, projects and initiatives Attend case conferences, meetings and other relevant fora as required. Attend court as required. Work within current legislation, relevant policies and procedures, guidelines and protocols as laid down by the employer. Conduct home assessments and follow up visits where necessary. Attend and contribute to weekly multidisciplinary meetings. Ensure the necessary liaison and co-operation with Medical, Nursing and other disciplines in the Hospital and in consultation with them, to arrange for case conferences in appropriate cases. Uphold the code of ethics of professional social work practice. The post holder is accountable, responsible and has authority for delivering a quality service and ensuring patient safety. The post holder will work within a Risk Management Framework to achieve the HIQA Safer, Better Healthcare Standards and other quality standards as appropriate. Administrative Responsibility Maintain a high standard of documentation, including service user files in accordance with SMH Policy and the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act. Maintain accurate up to date records and files and submit activity data as required. Write accurate, clear, concise and purposeful case records and reports Ensure the maintenance of service user and data confidentiality. Contribute to the development and implementation of information sharing protocols and audit systems. Contribute to policy development, performance monitoring and budgetary control of service in conjunction with the Principal Social Worker. Collaborate with the 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. Participate in relevant continuous professional development as deemed necessary by the Medical Social Work Department and the organisation. Work within the wider social work team structure to support colleagues during periods of leave and cross cover of department demands. Education & Training Responsibility Maintain standards of practice and levels of professional knowledge by participating incontinuous professional development Engage in career and professional development planning in collaboration with thePrincipal Social Worker. Keep up to date with advances in Social Work research, and ongoing review and evaluationof literature relevant to the assigned area. Keep abreast of developments in national policiesand strategies and international best practice. Participate in the practice education of student Social Workers. Support and train other staff in accordance with professional standards as appropriate. Factors Essential Essential Professional Qualifications (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 (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. Skills, competencies and/or knowledge Candidates must: Demonstrate sufficient clinical and professional knowledge to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role. Possess a good understanding of the legislative framework of social work practice and the associated statutory responsibilities of the role. 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. 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. Mandated Person Children First Act 2015 As a mandated person under the Children First Act 2015 you will have a legal obligation: To report child protection concerns at or above a defined threshold to TUSLA To assist TUSLA, if requested, in assessing a concern which has been the subject of a mandated report You will remain a mandated person for the duration of your appointment to your current post or for the duration of your appointment to such other post as is included in the categories specified in the legislation. Conditions of Employment: Annual Leave Entitlement: 28 days per annum pro- rata. Annual leave is calculated January to December of each year. Sick Leave Regulations: Please refer to contract of employment. Probationary Period: The appointee shall hold office for a probationary period of six months. The terms of the Hospitals Superannuation Scheme (VHSS & SPSPS) will apply to this position. A minimum of one months notice of termination of employment is required. Notice of termination of employment must be received in writing. Uniform Policy must be adhered to at all times. Please note the following: The Hospital Board is not responsible for loss or theft of personal belongings. Fire orders must be observed and staff must attend fire lectures every 2 years. Mandatory training must be adhered to and recertified before expiry timeframes occur i.e. Manual Handling, Basic Life support, Intravenous assessment, Hand hygiene education, waste management and Mission effectiveness programme. All accidents within the department must be reported immediately. In line with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act (1989 & 2005), smoking within the Hospital building is not permitted. All Staff are advised to avail of Hepatitis B Vaccination with Occupational Health. Policies/Legislation: All hospital policies and procedures form an integral part of an employment contract and may be subject to update and revision, from time to time, in consultation with union representatives as appropriate. Employees are required to comply with all hospital policies, procedures (e.g. Dignity at work, Trust in Care, Computer Usage Policy) and the hospitals ethical codes of practice. Confidentiality: In the course of your employment you may have access to, or hear information concerning the medical or personal affairs of patients, students, staff and / or other health service business. Such records and information are strictly confidential and, unless acting on the instruction of an authorised officer, such information must not be divulged or discussed except in the performance of normal duty. In addition records must never be left in such a manner that unauthorised persons can obtain access to them and must be kept in safe custody when no longer required. Hygiene: During the course of employment staff are required to ensure that the hospitals hygiene and infection control policies are adhered to at all times. All employees have responsibility to prevent transmission of infection by adhering to and implementing optimal hand hygiene and adhering to the Hospitals Hygiene processes. Hygiene is a fundamental component of St Michaels Hospitals quality system to ensure the safety and well-being of its patients and staff and plays a role in the prevention and control of healthcare associated infection. Benefits of working at St Michaels Hospital Defined benefit pension scheme. Access to learning and development opportunities. Library facilities. Subsidised staff restaurant. Subsidised pharmacy. Access to subsidised gym facilities. Access to health services credit union. Group discount for health insurance. Excellent access to public transport including dart and bus routes. Tax saver commuter ticket scheme. Bike to work scheme. This job description will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and may include any other duties and responsibilities as may be determined from time to time. Notes The extent and speed of change in the delivery of health care is such that adaptability is essential in this position. The incumbent will be required to maintain and enhance their professional knowledge, skill and aptitudes necessary to respond to a changing environment. The job description must be regarded as an outline of the major areas of accountability, which will be reviewed and amended on an on-going basis. Reviewed:Oct 2024 Next review: Oct 2029 Signed by Job Holder . Date .. Skills: clinical knowledge Time Management interpersonal skills Benefits: Meal Allowance / Canteen Paid Holidays Parking Pension Fund