Social Work Assistant (Band 4)

Job description

Job responsibilities

To undertake patient and carer assessments of palliative care social work needs To work in partnership with patients and carers to identify their social work support needs To co-plan proportionate, person-centred, creative and outcome-based support interventions to patients and carers, reviewing for effectiveness 2 To work inclusively with adults from diverse backgrounds, including physical disabilities, mental health, substance use, learning disabilities, older adults, and carers To demonstrate a strong commitment to human rights, the social model of disability and reducing inequality experienced by marginalised groups within our communities To autonomously manage a caseload under line management supervision, joint working with a qualified social worker where appropriate To provide emotional support to patients and carers at the advanced stages of disease progression and post bereavement as appropriate To gain valid informed consent and have the ability to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment. To facilitate support groups and wellbeing sessions for patients and carers To work together with the hospice multi-disciplinary team and external organisations, ensuring that patients and carers can access the care and support they need for maximising their quality of life To work in accordance with the organisations clinical safeguarding policies To undertake administrative tasks related to the role when required To show an ability to manage competing priorities in consultation with line manager where necessary, so that the highest priority work is completed in a timely way To maintain accurate client records on the hospice electronic patient record system, in accordance with hospice policy To actively participate in team meetings and individual supervision for the development of individual knowledge and skills, team performance and service improvement To work adaptively in various community locations and forums across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, in accordance with local need and hospice strategic plan 3 To support internal and local strategic initiatives through promoting awareness and interest in work with internal and external colleagues, patients and carers To demonstrate values associated with social work and our hospice values in all you do Personal and People Development To show a commitment to continuing professional development and maintain evidence of this, participating actively in supervision sessions To be subject to regular annual staff performance and to actively participate in the process To attend appropriate meetings, both internal and external, positively representing the team and service To embrace new ways of working that may emerge as the hospice responds to the needs of our communities To proactively reflect on ones own practice or service for learning and development needs and service improvement Monitor and maintain health & safety and security of yourself and others To participate in the assessment of risk and thereby contribute towards clinical and corporate governance agenda as appropriate To familiarise yourself with matters relating to health and safety management as they affect you personally and/or the hospice, reporting any potential risks to life or property immediately in accordance with the hospices Health and Safety policy and procedures To refrain from smoking in any area of the Hospice premises To look for potential risks to yourself and others in work activities, environment and processes including issues around lone working To contribute to the management of safe lone working within the team, other internal teams and external colleagues To work in a way that shows understanding and complies with legislation and hospice policies 4 To report actual or potential problems that may put health, security or safety at risk, follow the strict guidelines around information governance To work within the guidance policy for the protection of children and adults at risk To know what to do in an emergency at work, knows how to get help and act immediately to get help To demonstrate a sound understanding of Clinical Governance and patient safety, including compliance with Health & Safety Policies such as annual training in Manual Handling, CPR, Fire Safety and Risk Management and apply your learning to the work situation. Adhere to all infection prevention and control guidance Communication To maintain a high standard of personal behaviour and ensure effective and professional and respectful communication with all members of the multidisciplinary team, external professionals, patients and carers. To communicate with patients and their carers in a sensitive, supportive, and caring manner, considering their individual personal beliefs and preferences. Recognising there may be a need to utilise alternative methods of communication. To ensure all documentation is completed accurately and legibly and in accordance with hospice policy and Information Governance requirements. To apply the principles of information governance and patient confidentiality to all aspect of your role. To accept and act on constructive feedback, for the identification of own and service development needs To know what to do in an emergency at work, knows how to get help and act immediately to get help

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Excellent standard of literacy and numeracy
• Computer literate and willingness to embrace new technology
• Level 3 Diploma or equivalent in Health and Social Care or agreement to complete on appointment

Desirable

• Additional relevant training in health and social care

Experience

Essential

• Recent, relevant work experience in a hospice, health or social care setting
• Evidence of working in a highly collaborative manner with other professionals, both in an internal multidisciplinary and external multi agency capacity
• Experience of working with people in emotional distress and presenting with social care needs.
• An understanding of the effects of illness on physical, psychological and social function, bereavement and loss
• Experience of delivering training and or willingness to assist with these activities, encouraging learning in our volunteers and community
• Experience of or willingness to develop skills in group facilitation
• Proven experience of working in diverse communities, understanding and overcoming the impact of discrimination

Desirable

• Experience of working in the field of palliative care and bereavement
• An up to date knowledge of welfare benefits
• Knowledge and experience of using psycho-social interventions

Additional Criteria

Essential

• Ability to work autonomously within boundaries of role
• Able to plan and maintain high level of organisation and manage competing priorities to ensure the most urgent work is completed in a timely way
• Highly developed communication skills to develop effective therapeutic relationships with clients and carers
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written

Additional Criteria

Essential

• Caring and compassionate attitude
• Ability to work well with others with professionalism
• Works flexibly to support other team members and service delivery
• Committed to personal and team development
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and ethical boundaries

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

St Peter’s Hospice

Address

St Peter's Hospice

Charlton Road

Bristol

Somerset

BS10 6NL

Employer's website

https://www.stpetershospice.org.uk (Opens in a new tab)