JOB DESCRIPTION. Job Title: Macmillan Integrated Palliative Social Worker. Day Therapy department, Outpatient Service & Community

Transcription

1 JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: Macmillan Integrated Palliative Social Worker Reports to: Day Unit Therapy Lead Location: Salary: Hours of work Annual Leave: Day Therapy department, Outpatient Service & Community NHS Band 6 equivalent, 37.5 hours per week 9-5 Mon-Fri 25 days and Public Holidays Job Purpose: To provide a specialist social work service provision for people who have palliative care needs and their families to enable them to make informed choices, maximise their independence and well-being and support those entering the end of life receive appropriate care as soon as possible. This post will be based in the Norfolk Hospice Tapping House Palliative Care Hub, taking referrals from integrated palliative care and community teams. The post holder will also work in collaboration with the Macmillan Integrated Palliative Care Social Worker based within the Acute Trust ensuring excellent communication and triaging of caseloads to ensure prioritisation of need To offer advice to both social work and health colleagues to assist them to achieve the best outcomes for individuals who have palliative care needs. Main Duties: Working as a member of the specialist palliative care multi-disciplinary team, providing specialist palliative care social work and family support to patients and families facing life-limiting illness. Assessing the needs of patients and their families and identify appropriate solutions to problems Ensuring that carers needs are assessed and steps taken to meet those needs. Anticipating and identify the bereavement needs of families and carers. Participating in bereavement follow-up, in liaison with other team members as appropriate 1

2 Acting as a role model demonstrating high standards of holistic care and provide specialist social work knowledge in specialist palliative care. Contributing to the work of the multidisciplinary team to achieve the highest standards of care to benefit the maximum number of patients. Participating with the Specialist Palliative Care Team and Social Services in reviewing current practice and outcomes of care in accordance with relevant policies and in the light of clinical audit. Promoting positive relationships and effective communication between the Specialist Palliative Care Team and Social Services. To enhance the role and status of both services. Developing and maintain good communication links between the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Social Care Team, End of Life Facilitator and Discharge Liaison Nurse, Community Health services, Social Services and the voluntary sector. Taking an active role in developing and maintaining relationships and services across settings in order to achieve Social Care recommendations as set out in NICE Guidance on Improving Supportive and Palliative Care for Adults with Cancer 2004 and the National Quality Standards for Specialist Palliative Care. Maintaining appropriate records of all patients and ensure that all relevant information is documented according to the SPCT / Social Services requirements. Attending appropriate meetings as an advocate for social work and palliative care issues and ensure other Team members are conversant with relevant information relating to social work best practice. Contributing to the ongoing development of the palliative care service by the participation in regular SPCT and Social Work Team Meetings, including the SPCT MDT Evaluating service delivery and identify areas for improvement and initiate change. Utilising available resources, creatively and efficiently, to meet service objectives. Promoting good communication and provide expertise across multiprofessional and agency boundaries, when challenging and solving complex palliative care issues maintaining a patient focused approach. Act as the Link professional for maintaining the competence of NHTH staff on Safeguarding issues, representing the teams at Local Safeguarding updates. 2

3 Sharing specialist knowledge with social services and health staff to improve knowledge and understanding to improve outcomes for individuals with palliative care needs. Offering opportunities for student learning, if appropriate. Liaise with Queen Elizabeth Hospital Macmillan Social Worker to develop both roles in liaison with line managers to support the integrated working of all palliative care teams within West Norfolk. The post holder will be expected to cover a limited prioritised case load of the hospital team during sick leave, annual leave and training absence Education and Development To use and instruct others (such as health and social care professionals, or carers) to use moving and handling techniques as required by the individual and their environment, To take responsibility for own continued personal and professional development through participation in individual development review, clinical supervision, and other educational activities, To keep up-to-date with local and national developments in palliative care, To be involved in the delivery of formal teaching for hospice and community staff and care related volunteers through planned education programmes. To contribute to the orientation, development and support of other staff and students working in other clinical areas; acting as mentor to students and supervisor to less experienced staff, Physical, Mental and Emotional Effort Required To be able to cope with change and organisational developments. To be able to cope emotionally with difficult and complex communication issues, demonstrate resilience and coping strategies, and to support team members at difficult times. Management To meet regularly on a one to one basis with the Director of Care. Contribute monitor and review the development of service objectives, protocols and policies under the leadership of the Director of Care To be involved in and lead on pertinent audit. General 3

4 In addition to the specific duties and responsibilities outlined in this job description, all Hospice employees should be aware of their specific responsibilities towards the following: During the course of your employment you may have access to, see or hear information of a confidential nature and you are required not to disclose such information, particularly that relating to patients and staff. In order to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 you must not at any time use personal data held by the Hospice for any unauthorised purpose or disclose such as data to a third party. You must not make any disclosure to any unauthorised person or use any confidential information relating to the business affairs of the Hospice, unless expressly authorised to do so by the Hospice. The Norfolk Hospice, Tapping House is committed to encouraging volunteering throughout the organisation and as such the post holder will be expected to support and respect volunteers, and may be asked to work alongside or supervise a volunteer as part of their role whilst working at The Norfolk Hospice, Tapping House. The Norfolk Hospice, Tapping House operates a no-smoking policy. The post holder should either be a non-smoker or be prepared not to smoke in any Hospice premises, grounds or vehicles or when on The Norfolk Hospice, Tapping House business outside the office. Adhere to all health and safety and fire regulations and to co-operate with the Hospice in maintaining good standards of health and safety. Adhere to all The Norfolk Hospice, Tapping House policies and procedures at all times Actively promote and support the safeguarding of vulnerable adults, young people and children, observing and adhering to The Norfolk Hospice, Tapping House policies on safeguarding Uphold ethical and professional standards and not behave in a manner that is likely to bring the Hospice into disrepute. Promote and sustain a responsible attitude towards equal opportunities and diversity within the Hospice. Make a positive contribution to fundraising and raising the profile of the Hospice Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing registration requirements or any national professional or occupational standards associated with the role. Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing learning and development and to participate in any training relevant to the role. 4

5 For designated roles, the post holder will be responsible for health & safety, business continuity planning and/or risk management. (These responsibilities will be notified on appointment). This job description is not exhaustive. It merely acts as a guide and may be amended to meet the changing requirements of the Hospice at any time after discussion with the post holder. 5

6 Person Specification Macmillan Integrated Social Worker Attributes Essential Desirable Qualifications & Training Degree or diploma in Social Work, or CSS, or CQSW To be a registered Social Worker with the HCPC Commitment to registering for a Post Qualifying/Practice Educators award at the appropriate level Post qualifying award. Practice Teacher Knowledge & Experience Experience of working with individuals who have palliative care needs. Experience of multi-disciplinary working. Knowledge and understanding of relevant Health and Social Care legislation and policy Knowledge of current policy and practice within Health and Social Care A commitment, knowledge and understanding of Equal Opportunities policy and antidiscriminatory practice Knowledge of electronic case management systems Commitment to evidencing the appropriate social work induction standards and completion of ASYE framework (level 1 social workers) Knowledge of policy and practice relating to the care of people who have a palliative diagnosis 6

7 Attributes Essential Desirable Skills & Personal Qualities Good communication skills. Ability to work therapeutically with individuals and families. Ability to work in partnership with other professionals. Ability to undertake social care assessments, plan packages of care and monitor and review their effectiveness within the selfdirected support framework Be able to demonstrate good keyboard skills with a view to using various computerised and electronic case management systems An ability to develop and change in light of the changing health and social care policy environment Able to provide direct emotional and psychological support Able to plan, manage, prioritise workloads, demonstrating good time management skills Able to prepare and present reports and other documents; contribute to teaching and to deliver presentations Able to work effectively under pressure within departmental procedures and respond effectively in a crisis Ability to assess risk and take appropriate action 7