Job Description - Senior Medical Social Worker

at  St Francis Hospice Dublin

TRAINING AND EDUCATION

• To participate in the design and development of teaching and training programmes for staff inside
  and outside of the Hospice as requested. To participate in the teaching and in service training

programmes for staff of the Hospice.

• To undergo such training or instruction as may be required from time to time.
• To present at seminars and conferences as negotiated.
• To keep up to date with all mandatory training required.

To demonstrate a commitment and attend to continuing professional development.

GENERAL

• Comply with the Mission Statement, Ethos and Values of St. Francis Hospice Dublin.
• Ensuring compliance with Health and Safety procedures in relation to all Hospice activities.
• Contribute to and comply fully with the St. Francis Hospice Dublin Safety Statement including safe

working practice as laid down by the Health & Safety Act.

• Comply with the St. Francis Hospice Dublin policies relating to confidentiality and ensure

confidentiality in all matters of information obtained during the course of employment.

• Adhere to the Policies & Procedures of St. Francis Hospice Dublin at all times.
• Enable compliance of charities regulations, data protection, governance, transparency and best

practice.

• Actively engage in continuous personal development and learning.
• Present and act in a professional manner at all the times.

Carrying out any other reasonable duties, appropriate to the office that may be required from time to
time.
The successful candidate will be required to update their knowledge and skills to fit the changing
requirements of the post. Therefore, this Job Description is an outline of the current broad areas of
responsibility and accountability and should not be regarded as a comprehensive listing. It will be
reviewed and updated in line with future needs.
The successful candidate will be required to maintain, enhance and develop their knowledge, skills
and attitudes necessary to respond to a changing situation.

requirements.

• To contribute to developments of both the social work role and the social work team within SFHD.
• To assist the Co-ordinator of Social Work & Bereavement Services with the development o

1. JOB PURPOSE

The purpose of this post is to provide psychosocial support to patients and their families within a multi-
disciplinary team. services.

2. ACCOUNTABILITY

The position reports to and is accountable to the Coordinator of Social Work and Bereavement
Services or other designated officer in all matters relating to the job.

7. OUTLINE OF JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Senior Medical Social Worker is an experienced and competent professional with sound
psychosocial skills and academic ability along with good organisational skills.
The role of the Senior Medical Social Worker includes but is not limited to:

SOCIAL WORK DUTIES

• To work directly with patients, families or significant others using individual, group or family

therapy techniques, as appropriate.

• To assess risk for patients and families, both pre death and in bereavement, including addressing

safeguarding concerns in line with SFHD policies.

• Direct work with children is an important part of the social work role and SFHD policies and

procedures must be adhered to at all times.

• To engage with relevant community based or external services as they relate to the care of

patients, their family or significant others.

• To maintain appropriate records and produce social work reports in line with SFHD and

departmental policy.

• To maintain confidentiality of patients and their families and attend to data protection

requirements.

• To contribute to developments of both the social work role and the social work team within SFHD.
• To assist the Co-ordinator of Social Work & Bereavement Services with the development of

policies and procedures that reflect the needs of patients and families and good practice in social

work.

• To provide cover for other members of the department as required and be part of an emergency

cover rota during the working week.

• To provide a Social Work service for patients and their families under the care of St. Francis

Hospice Dublin, as directed by the Co-ordinator of Social Work and Bereavement Services.

• To work as a member of the multi-disciplinary team of St. Francis Hospice Dublin providing a

comprehensive social work service and an understanding of the psychological, emotional and
social difficulties of individuals and families in crisis, of the dying and their families, and the

bereaved.

• To act as a resource person for all members of the Multidisciplinary team in relation to

psychosocial aspects of patient and family care.

• To assess the concerns and resources of the patient, their family or significant others and to

formulate care plans in conjunction with the multi-disciplinary team, patient and family.

• To facilitate family meetings with members of other disciplines.
• To assess the particular needs of in-patients pre discharge and in conjunction with the multi-

disciplinary teamwork towards accessing appropriate services and supports to meet those needs,
ensuring effective working relationships with Primary Health Care Teams, Hospital Social Work
Teams, state agencies and Voluntary Organisations.

OTHER DUTIES

• To attend and participate in such meetings and events as may be required from time to time.
• To ensure that up to date and detailed administrative records and statistics are maintained for all

clients.

• To ensure a safe working environment for patients, families and staff at all times adhering to all

SFHD policies and reporting any incidents immediately.

• To carry out such duties appropriate to the office as may be assigned by the Coordinator of Social

Work and Bereavement Services or Hospice Management.

Key relationships that will influence the success of the role:

• Social Work Team
• Members of multi-disciplinary team
• Bereavement Support Volunteer