Medical Social Worker

Job description

Job responsibilities

PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

- To undertake assessments of patient and carer needs using a patient focused approach in accordance with agreed statutory and Trust procedures.

- On the basis of assessed needs, develop and implement service and support plans.

- To be responsible for analysing information to support the on-going needs of patients, their families and carers.

- To use a safeguarding framework, to make enquiries, investigate and manage risks where patients have experienced or likely to experience significant harm.

- Provide written and verbal reports which are concise, informative and based on analysis of complex evidence which can be used within the legal context.

- Maintain and update case notes and other records and write reports as required.

- Work directly with patients and young adults to ensure that assessments and interventions are informed by their views.

- Use management information systems to provide concise and accurate information about circumstances and plans within the requirements of data protection.

- Be compliant with relevant governance, policy and procedures.

- Develop and maintain effective working relationships with other professionals and partner agencies to ensure integrated, holistic and multidisciplinary approach to the care management and safeguarding of patients.

- Contribute to the promotion of improved outcomes for individuals, families, carers and groups from diverse and disadvantaged communities.

- To be responsible for planning and negotiating a range of appropriate services and interventions that meet the needs of patients within delegated levels of responsibility.

- Identify and implement strategies for responding appropriately to concerns about practice or procedures, seeking guidance if required.

- Appropriately participate in meetings and relevant forums and convene and chair multi agency meetings in line with procedures.

- Organise work activities taking account of the need to prioritise tasks and responsibilities ensuring statutory legislation and service priorities are met.

- To work within the prescribed Professional Capabilities Framework

Responsibilities for patient and client care

- Assesses, plans, implements and evaluates care and treatments using specialist clinical knowledge and skills.

- Organises own clinical workload.

- Receives supervision from Team Leader/Matron/lead nurse

Freedom to act

- Refer patients as appropriate to other members of the multi-disciplinary team

- Make assessments and contributes to MDT decisions.

Communication

- Maintains accurate clinical and other records using the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trusts documentation.

- Support patients and their families communicating sensitive condition related information and ensuring they receive required information to enable them to participate in their care delivery

- Liaise with Community Services (as appropriate) to ensure seamless provision of care delivery

Education and Training

- Provide training and education of learners and other junior staff

- Actively participate in the development of own personal development plan and performance review

- Keep up to date with developments, advances within the specialty

Leadership and management

- Investigate and respond to accidents, complaints, untoward incidents and other significant events

- Supports the development business plans within the CSU.

- Engages users and carers views on service delivery and development

- Implement policy and practice guidelines specific to the clinical specialty, proposing changes where appropriate

- Contribute to policy and protocol development for speciality area

- Exercises a personal duty of care in relation to equipment, resource and stock control utilising equipment and supplies appropriately.

Research and Audit

- Contribute to the research agenda

- Undertake audit programmes specific to client group, treatments and developments.

THE LEEDS WAY VALUES

Our values are part of what make us different from other trusts, so we see this as a strength, as well as a responsibility. They have been developed by our staff and set out what they see as important to how we work. Our five values are:

Patient Centered

Collaborative

Fair

Accountable

Empowered

All our actions and endeavours will be guided and evaluated through these values

Additionally, the following are core values which relate specifically to this post:

Commitment to delivering high quality evidence based care

Commitment to working in a multi-disciplinary team

Commitment to the specialty area, valuing the contribution of all team members, encouraging a positive and creative working environment

Commitment to own personal and professional development and to the development of others within the team.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Appropriate professional qualification (Degree, DipSW, CQSW or equivalent)
• Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and maintain yearly registration.
• Practice Educator Level 1 qualification.

Experience

Essential

• Post registration experience

Desirable

• Experience and knowledge of specialty

Skills & behaviours

Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills Communication skills

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Address

St. James's University Hospital

Beckett Street

Leeds

LS9 7TF

Employer's website

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