Medical Social Worker
Job Description
Job summary
Expected Shortlisting Date
17/04/2025
Planned Interview Date
24/04/2025
We are looking for a Registered Social Worker to work within Renal Services based at St Jamess Hospital although there are dialysis units across West Yorkshire. The post-holder will be responsible for carrying out assessments of social care needs, to support the wider multi-disciplinary team. This will include being an integral part supporting the renal population and will work with the renal transplant coordinators, clinical nurse specialists and the multi-disciplinary team to provide a comprehensive Social Work service to renal patients, their families and carers.
Main duties of the job
The jobholder will work within the renal service and will be responsible for undertaking comprehensive patient assessments to support the multi-disciplinary team. The jobholder will work with renal transplant coordinators, clinical nurse specialists and the multi-disciplinary team to a to provide a comprehensive social work service to patient, their families and carers and provide support to our transplant welfare officers.
The Jobholder will be responsible for the management of a defined caseload of patients with continuing responsibility for their assessment of social needs and the development of plans to support patients who have renal related disorders (pre and post-transplant , dialysis, general nephrology, plus joint services (Obstetrics, Diabetes, Rheumatology and the transition from Paediatrics).
About us
The Leeds Teaching Hospitals is one of the biggest NHS Trusts in the country, offering a range of both general and specialist hospital services with excellent clinical outcomes for patients. We have an international reputation for excellence in specialist care, research and academic training.
Our vision as a Trust is to be the best for specialist and integrated care. This is underpinned by our values - The Leeds Way. The Leeds Way defines who we are, what we believe and how we will work together to deliver the best outcomes for our patients.
AMS is the largest CSU at Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, and we aim to deliver the highest quality service for our patients. Leeds has a reputation for clinical excellence as the largest teaching hospital in Europe. We are committed to working in line with the values described in The Leeds Way to make work rewarding as well as challenging.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.
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
