Leukaemia UK Mind and Body Social Worker

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical responsibilities

To assess, evaluate and support the complex social needs of haematology patients and their carers/families.

To develop a therapeutic relationship with patients and their families/carers in order to establish communication, trust and support.

To maintain own caseload of patients/families/carers and provide one-to-one/group support for patients/carers/families.

To develop knowledge and understanding of Haemato-Oncology & Haemoglobinopathy disorders and the way these and their related physical health conditions, care and treatment impact a persons psychosocial needs.

To be a source of expert advice to the multi-disciplinary team advising on statutory duties/responsibilities and evolving social work practice, social policy and legal frameworks.

To communicate community care needs (long-term and short-term) to relevant agencies to enable patients and families to maximise their independence and minimise risk.

Advocate on behalf of patients/families/carers in respect of their social, cultural, financial, emotional, and practical needs, providing or signposting patients/carers towards benefits advice or other external/statutory services as appropriate

To provide expert social work interventions including information, advice, support to patients, their families and other healthcare professionals.

To assess and evaluate risk for vulnerable patients and families and manage this risk appropriately.

To ensure that Haemato-Oncology and Haemoglobinopathy patients are able to access Social Work support

To develop and review referral and support pathways with the department.

To establish and develop relationships with a wide range of clinical staff, Social Services, Benefit Agencies, Welfare Groups and other service providers to promote a joined-up approach to discharge planning and patient/family support.

Research, education, and service development

To support the monitoring and audit of social work services within the Haematology Team.

To actively participate and contribute to training / education programmes in the Haematology team and other settings as required.

Where relevant, attend and participate in national and international conferences on the psychosocial needs of Haematology patients, their families and carers.

Identify, apply and disseminate research findings relating to specialist Social Work practice.

To identify gaps in social work research and explore development

To prepare an annual report for the social work service within the Haematology department

Governance and quality control

As required to attend relevant Trust, Divisional and team meetings for Haematology.

To actively contribute to relevant initiatives within Haematology and support colleagues and the senior team to achieve wider aims.

Support the supervision of students on placement within the team.

To ensure all records are maintained in accordance with professional guidelines and ensure the formal reporting and recording or adverse incidents in line with Trust policy.

To work with the current Social Workers to identify and develop a sustainable model of social work support across the Trust including Haematology.

To attend and contribute towards Trust Social Work platforms including monthly meeting, CPD events and conferences.

To attend regular clinical supervision to discuss practice issues and the emotional impact of the role.

To keep up to date with current literature and developments in practice that are specific to Social Work.

To ensure ongoing registration as a social worker with Social Work England and be an active member of the trust social work network

Identify and set professional objectives in line with role and speciality. Review and appraise objectives during meetings with line manager

To maintain your own personal and professional development in line with professional standards and the requirements of Social Work England.

General

At Kings we are a kind, respectful team:

Kind. We show compassion and understanding and bring a positive attitude to our work

Respectful. We promote equality, are inclusive and honest, speaking up when needed

Team. We support each other, communicate openly, and are reassuringly professional

The post holder has a general duty of care for their own health, safety and wellbeing and that of work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital, in addition to any specific risk management or clinical governance accountabilities associated with this post.

To observe the rules, policies, procedures and standards of Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust as the employing trust together with all relevant statutory and professional obligations.

To observe and maintain strict confidentiality of personal information relating to patients and staff.

To be responsible, with management support, for their own personal development and to actively contribute to the development of colleagues.

This job description is intended as a guide to the general scope of duties and is not intended to be definitive or restrictive. It is expected that some of the duties will change over time and this description will be subject to review in consultation with the post holder.

This job description is intended as a guide to the general scope of duties and is not intended to be definitive or restrictive. It is expected that some of the duties will change over time and this description will be subject to review in consultation with the post holder.

Safe Guarding

The Trust takes the issues of Safeguarding Children, Adults and addressing Domestic Abuse very seriously. All employees have a responsibilityto support the organisation in our duties by;

attending mandatory training on safeguarding children and adults

familiarising themselves with the Trust's processes for reporting concerns

reportingany safeguarding child or adult concerns appropriately

Infection Control Statement

The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to make to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control and hygiene requirements of this role.

These requirements are set out in the National Code of Practice on Infection Control and in local policies and procedures which will be made clear during your induction and subsequent refresher training. These standards must be strictly complied with at all times.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Certificate/Diploma/Degree in Social Work
• Registration with Social Work England

Desirable

• Completed or working towards Post- Graduate degree in Social Work/Policy
• Obtained Post-Graduate certificate in Practice Education/Enabling Others

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Independent working / experience of managing own caseload
• Experience in caring for patients and families with long term health conditions
• Experience working with loss and grief
• Working knowledge of current social policy/ legislation related to safeguarding vulnerable adults and children, mental capacity, welfare rights and benefits for adults and children
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team
• Evaluate complex psychosocial needs of patients & those close to them
• Experience of receiving clinical supervision

Desirable

• Experience in caring for patients/ families with Cancer or Haematological conditions
• Experience in caring for patients and families in an acute setting e.g. hospital social work / critical care / trauma

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

King's College Hospital

Denmark Hill

London

SE5 9RS

Employer's website

https://www.kch.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)