Social Worker - Newcastle - £31ph

mbi Medical are pleased to be working with Newcastle Hospice in sourcing a Social Worker to join their team.

Job Purpose

To deliver a comprehensive social work and bereavement service in all areas of the hospice, including the community if appropriate.  To work as a flexible and responsive member of the multi disciplinary team advocating on patients and family’s behalf. To be accountable for ensuring own practice meets minimum national standards and is compliant with the social work Code of Conduct.

The Role

To undertake continuing holistic assessment of patients’ needs.

Review the initial assessment on a regular basis (while the patient is an inpatient) to ensure our services are responsive to changing needs.

In partnership with the patient identify and agree desired outcomes and agree how these will be achieved.

Provide psychological and emotional support to patients, identifying when the level of support may be beyond the scope of an individual social worker and that other professional support may be needed.

Where applicable liaise with external agencies to ensure the patients’ needs can be met on discharge from the hospice

Identify any needs the carer may have and where appropriate refer to specialist agencies that can provide support.

Actively participate in multi disciplinary team meetings and update appropriately and accurately the team on any issues that may be relevant to the patients discharge or care.

Act as an advocate for patients and where conflict arises with family members sign post families to external advocacy agencies.

Provide benefits advice as and when required.

Provide contemporaneous and accurate record- keeping of all interventions with patients and families

Assess the need for bereavement intervention by participating and contributing in multidisciplinary meetings.

Ensure that social work practice meets the standards set out in the Bereavement Policy

Ensure that families with complex emotional needs are referred to appropriate agencies for specialist intervention.

Ensure the system for user feedback is implemented effectively and that user feedback is evaluated to improve the service.

Provide specialist support to patients, carers, children and significant others using individual, group and family techniques.

Keep up to date with training and personal development to ensure professional registration with the relevant care council can be maintained.

Take responsibility for ensuring professional practice is delivered within the boundaries of the professional Code of Conduct for social work.

Keep up to date with relevant legislation or changes in social policy that could impact on social work practice.

Provide learning opportunities and act as an on site practice teacher for student social workers.

Where required contribute to the Charity’s National Clinical Audit Programme.

Participate in education and training both within and outside of the hospice.

Adopt a reflective approach from personal practice and learn from experience

Develop and maintain robust systems to ensure effective communication between patients, carers, nursing staff, allied health professionals, volunteers, the wider multi-professional team, community and hospital teams and other primary care services.

In co-operation with the Hospice Manager and/or other colleagues, develop systems to support user feedback.

Ensure effective record keeping and documentation.

Promote an open and honest culture