[2/2/2025 A] Student Welfare Officer

Title: Student Welfare Officer Department: Centre for Mastery: Personal Professional & Academic Success (CoMPPAS) within the Department of Student, Academic & Regulatory Affairs. Tenure: Maternity Leave full time contract - for 12 months Location: RCSI St Stephens Green / Beaumont Hospital Reporting to: Head of Student Development and Wellbeing or appointee About CoMPPAS RCSI's Centre for Mastery: Personal Professional & Academic Success is a multi-disciplinary team of specialists working collaboratively to facilitate and empower students to achieve their personal, academic and professional goals. Our service is for all students who wish to maximise their potential and enhance their performance. We also assist students to overcome challenges they may face during their training and to encourage them to develop sustainable strategies for success as future healthcare professionals. CoMPPAS's mission is to be a recognised multi-disciplinary centre of excellence, facilitating continuous growth and skills advancement for future healthcare leaders. Our service vision is to foster personalised student learning, well-being and success in an inclusive educational environment that inspires leadership and builds community. This will be achieved through pro-active engagement, the delivery of integrated developmental programmes and creative partnerships. Objective: The objective of this post is to provide inclusive, proactive welfare and wellbeing support to students across the educational programmes of the Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences. The successful candidate as a member of an integrated multidisciplinary team will interact with students and key stakeholders, across the RCSI teaching locations including St Stephen's Green, RCSI Hospitals Group, and in other clinical locations, to ensure attainment of stated goals. Their priority will be in the professional implementation of individualized and systematic student support. Please note that the provision of therapy / counselling is not part of this role and it is not envisioned that the successful candidate would enter in to a therapeutic relationship with any individual student. The key objectives of the post are: Assist student progression and success by providing high quality pro-active support to individual RCSI students and groups. Liaise directly with academic leadership, personal tutors, academic staff, faculty co-ordinators and administrative staff to ensure learners are fully supported Refer to and liaise with internal stakeholders and external service providers (e.g. RCSI Counselling Service, G.P. Service, etc) and stakeholders to ensure students receive the best possible support in order to achieve their full potential. Contribute to and co-ordinate specialist support where required, particularly in relation to a holistic approach to student health and wellbeing Develop strategies and training initiatives that promote student resilience, well-being and personal skills for success as a future healthcare professional Contribute to the development and implementation of an annual student welfare and well-being service plan Assist the Head of Student Development and Wellbeing in the delivery of student engagement and development services across College. Specifically, the main duties of the post include: Provide direct support, guidance and signposting advice to students who may be experiencing social, emotional, physical or mental health difficulties where required, including directing/referring students to appropriate College support and development services Provide direct support & guidance to students availing of or subject to RCSI regulatory policies and procedures, including disciplinary, appeals and exceptional circumstances Carry out risk assessments in collaboration with relevant stakeholders and professional services Support students who have been admitted to hospital Effectively manage assigned caseload and work collaboratively with other CoMPPAS team members to ensure the highest possible standards of care Implement approved case management practices and processes, including prioritisation, referral, communication and escalation protocols Initiate and/or participate in multidisciplinary case reviews to address the specific needs of students in complex cases Provide, on a one to one and group basis, high quality interventions that encourage learners to engage and develop strategies for their future success and progression Maintain accurate case records of all interventions and student information on the CoMPPAS welfare case management database and Quercus student information system Adhere to RCSI data protection and records management requirements in relation to these records Research and understand barriers to learning and support learners to overcome these by developing innovative practice and delivering a consistently outstanding service Contribute to the development of events / initiatives that support broader staff awareness and management of student welfare related issues Develop effective stakeholder relationships, including embassy representatives, to assure appropriate student support and interventions when required Attend as required relevant student academic and student support meetings Lead and support the promotion of campaign weeks and activities to promote awareness of issues which may impact students. Actively publicise support services to all students and staff Measure the impact of one to one and group work in order to evaluate effectiveness, inform continual development and target student issues Produce statistics as required to improve service standards and contribute to the Colleges' quality processes Commit to the safeguarding and promotion of the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults Provide support to the Learning Access & Facilitation service as required In collaboration with line-management to take direct responsibility for own continuous professional development Engage in relevant professional supervision Have flexible working hours to be able to attend examinations, student events (evenings and weekends) and / or react to student crises when necessary Provide, in collaboration with others, agreed defined periods of emergency welfare cover for holiday periods. General: Comply with statutory legislation and CoMPPAS rules and requirements in furtherance of own and general staff welfare and safety Undergo programmes of training and development as may be required from time to time Represent the best interests of CoMPPAS and RCSI at all times Perform such other duties as may be required and assigned Person Specification: Essential: Accredited 3rd level social work qualification or equivalent professional qualification and experience in client facing discipline in a health capacity Appropriate Professional Registration in a related discipline Evidenced case management experience and skills Excellent organisational and record keeping skills Ability to prioritise and manage a diverse workload to meet deadlines in a busy environment Committed team player capable of working collaboratively and pro-actively with colleagues Person centric approach Desirable: Post qualification experience, working in an educational establishment or clinical learning environment (e.g. third level HEI) providing student wellbeing services to students or relevant experience in a primary /health/social work setting Capacity to contribute to a multidisciplinary team environment Ability to manage multiple priorities Ability to prioritise and manage a diverse workload to meet deadlines and shifting service demands Competent ICT skills, including MS Office and working with databases Strong interpersonal, communication and influencing skills Fluent in written and spoken business English Strong commitment to own continuous professional and personal development We are all too aware that imposter syndrome and the confidence gap can sometimes stop fantastic candidates putting themselves forward, so please do submit an application - we'd love to hear from you . Informal Enquiries Informal enquiries about this post can be made to Noel O'Callaghan, Head of Student Development and Wellbeing, Employee Benefits RCSI make sure you have the resources you need to thrive by offering a wide range of benefits in areas including time away, finance, community, health, and well-being and insuring your financial future. Below are some additional benefits available to you as an RCSI employee: Minimum of 20 days annual leave, plus an additional 6.5 Privilege days Flexible/hybrid working options for colleagues across many roles Additional leave options incl. paid maternity leave, paternity/parental leave, study leave 7% Employer pension contribution Onsite gym €10 per/mth incl. classes and PT sessions Childcare support 20% discount at Giraffe Free eye test and annual flu vaccination TaxSaver commuter tickets and Bike to Work schemes A site sustainability team focusing on the environmental initiatives; Green Campus Initiative Competitively priced café and restaurant Equality, Diversity & Inclusion forums, and network groups Employee assistance programme with Spectrum Life Learning and Development training programmes incl. LinkedIn Learning for career progression Discounted services incl. GP visits, 10% off dental, staff parking, mobile tariffs, Group Scheme discount on numerous brands Sports and social club incl. yoga, Pilates, fitness classes, Zumba, running club, social evenings, Summer BBQ Ticket Draws for events including; Rugby, Taste of Dublin, Dublin Horse Show, theatre, music & comedy events