POSITION DESCRIPTION Social Worker Adult Treatment and Rehabilitation This position is not considered a children s worker under the Vulnerable Children Act 2014 Position Holder's Name:... Position Holder's Signature:... Manager/Supervisor's Name:... Manager/Supervisor's Signature:... Document ID: Obtain from Objective Version: 1.0 Department: ARHOP Last Updated: May 2011 Document Owner: Social Work Next Review Date: May 2016 Approved by: Name of Approval Group/Committee Date First Issued: August 2008 Counties Manukau Health
Position description: Counties Manukau Health 2
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION This position is to provide a comprehensive social work service within the context of the interdisciplinary team, for clients and their families, whaanau who are under the care of the Adult Rehabilitation and Health of Older People Services of Counties Manukau District Health Board. PLACE IN THE ORGANISATION Service Manager Director of Allied Health Operations Manager Professional Leader Social Work Section Head Social Work AT&R Social Worker Position description: Counties Manukau Health 3
NATURE AND SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES Key Accountability Standards / Achievements Provides client focused care by: Consulting with clients to establish mutually agreed goals and priorities for outcomes of care Promoting the concept of self-care and inclusion of family/ whaanau in provision of care Communicating clearly and effectively with client, family/ whaanau and the interdisciplinary team To undertake psychosocial assessments for clients and their family / whaanau Working in partnership with clients/family/other health care providers to assess, plan, deliver and evaluate outcomes of care Providing counselling, advocacy, education and information to clients / families / whaanau and community in a way that is understood Promotes culturally competent care to clients by: Commitment to the principles of Treaty of Waitangi Honouring Cultural Diversity Promoting the development and delivery of a service which is anti-discriminatory and which reflects a bicultural perspective Demonstrating in practice the principals of the Treaty of Waitangi of partnership, participation and protection Respect, sensitivity, cultural awareness is evident in interpersonal relationships. Demonstrating a commitment to culturally safe practice with all peoples Our cultural differences are acknowledged by respecting and valuing diversity of spiritual beliefs, cultural practices and lifestyle choices Position description: Counties Manukau Health 4
Key Accountability Works to the highest quality standards of practice by: Contributes to the achievement of Counties Manukau District Health Board Vision and Values by: Standards / Achievements Following ethical guidelines, the Aotearoa NZ Association of Social Workers (ANZASW) Code of Ethics and Conduct and the standards of practice for the profession Providing care that is based on best practice and working towards evidence based practice Delivering care that meets the priorities of the service Ensuring relevant resources are used effectively Contributing to professional development practices and activities Participating in credentialing, peer review, supervision and preceptoring of new staff / students Taking responsibility for clear, effective documentation that is in keeping with organisational policy Using effective time management & prioritisation strategies to manage workload Working to improve our service to our patients and community by delivering high quality, cost effective health care Treating others with respect and dignity Valuing difference and cultural diversity Acting with integrity and valuing others contribution Always seeking and striving for new ideas and solutions Developing our capabilities to achieve results Being accountable for individual and collective actions Position description: Counties Manukau Health 5
Key Accountability Demonstrates individual responsibility and accountability for professional development of self and others by: Contributes to the achievement of the goals of the multidisciplinary team by: To meet organisational and legislative requirements by adhering to: HEALTH & SAFETY Recognises individual responsibility for workplace Health & Safety under the Health and Safety Act 1992 Standards / Achievements Attending clinical supervision regularly Participating in the processes of performance development, supervision and peer review, credentialing and audit Identifying own learning needs, setting objectives and developing strategies to meet these Participating in and contributing to continuing education activities internally and externally to the organisation Acting an educational resource for other disciplines Contributing to the clinical training of students Being an active member of both your profession and your multidisciplinary team Observing the agreed ground rules of the team Appreciating and respecting the contribution of self and others within the team Contributing to and promoting the maintenance of a safe and healthy working environment Participating in both team and profession-based meetings The Counties Manukau District Health Board code of conduct The Code of Health and Disability Consumers Rights The Privacy Act The Accident Rehabilitation and Compensation Act The Health Information Privacy Code Non-Disclosure of Information of Counties Manukau District Health Board Legislation and regulation relevant to your own profession Counties Manukau DHB Health and Safety policies are read and understood and relevant procedures applied to own work activities Workplace hazards are identified and reported including self-management of hazards where appropriate Can identify Health and Safety representative Position description: Counties Manukau Health 6
for area Use discretion when working with patients in their homes. Personal safety must not be compromised. Utilise Information Technology Demonstrate ability to access and use available clinical information systems Be conversant with applications required for specific discipline/role, eg PIMS, Concerto, Outlook, etc. Maintains own professional development by attending relevant IT educational programmes Position description: Counties Manukau Health 7
COMMUNICATION AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS Will be required to interact on a regular basis with a range of Counties Manukau Health staff members including: Operations Manager Service Manager Social Work Professional Leader Other Social Workers Nursing and Medical staff Allied Health Team members Needs Assessment and Service Co-ordination team Cultural Services Palliative Care Externally there will be contact with: Clients Families/Whaanau Health Providers outside CMDHB Work and Income Housing NZ Taikura Trust Police and other Statutory Agencies Child, Youth and Family Services Community and Voluntary Agencies Situations may often call for tact, diplomacy and will require information to be handled in a discreet and sensitive manner. In conflict situations will be required to exercise sound judgement, negotiation and persuasiveness skills, toward facilitating a workable outcome. PROBLEM COMPLEXITY The Social Worker will be regularly challenged by problems of a varied nature on a day to day basis in the area of clinical practice. There will be a requirement to be able to prioritise issues and negotiate time frames, while still providing a quality customer service. Failure to do so could impact on the organisation in terms of client safety. Position description: Counties Manukau Health 8
The range of problems will be diverse and require solutions customised to meet the circumstances of the client. Therefore opportunities will arise to provide innovative options to the client based on proven outcomes. Situations may often call for tact, diplomacy and will require information to be handled in a discreet and sensitive manner. In conflict situations will be required to exercise sound judgement, negotiation and persuasiveness skills, toward facilitating a workable outcome. Will refer to Section Head, supervisor or manager for advice or second opinion. SCOPE FOR ACTION The Social Worker is empowered to make decisions or recommendations relating to patient care and is encouraged to use initiative and problem solving skills to develop innovative approaches to issues. Discretion is required to be exercised in releasing confidential information to the appropriate parties. DIMENSION OF THE POSITION The Social Worker will be responsible to the Social Worker Section Head for the achievement of agreed objectives and operates within the confines of Counties Manukau District Health Board. The Social Worker will work as part of a multidisciplinary team within their area of practice. POSITIONS REPORTING IN THIS ROLE (numbers) Directly (numbers): Section Head and Operations Manager Indirectly (numbers): Professional Leader Position description: Counties Manukau Health 9
PERSON SPECIFICATIONS (requirements for the role) Minimum Preferred Qualification Social work degree Relevant post qualification training in social work Social Work registration and Annual Practising Certificate Experience Post qualification social work experience Knowledge of relevant health care and social legislation Understanding of health, disability and illness issues and the services available Understanding of the nature of working in a multiprofessional interdisciplinary environment Social work experience in a health environment Experience of developing policies and procedures Skills/Knowledge/ Behaviour Personal Qualities Ability to work in a complex and changing environment High level of verbal and written interpersonal skills Ability to counsel patient with adjustment and grief and loss issues Time management skills Drivers licence Team and client focused Ability to prioritise a busy caseload Good listener Objectivity Conceptual thinker Ability to work independently Good interpersonal skills Commitment to culturally safe practice Knowledge of community agencies and networks Computer skills in a Windows environment Ability to deliver training to others Position description: Counties Manukau Health 10
HEALTH AND SAFETY ACCOUNTABILITIES (Management roles) Health and Safety (H&S) is a key accountability of all Counties Manukau Health (CM Health) staff. All CM Health Managers are responsible to: Zero harm Engage in safe workplace practices and manage the health and safety of your employees and other people in the workplace Engage in safe work practices Ensure all Incidents involving staff are reported, investigated and any corrective actions are completed and closed off when completed in the Incident reporting system in line with CM Health Policies and Procedures Ensure all corrective activities are completed and controls are reviewed after incidents Ensure all staff are Inducted/Oriented to the division/service/work area and recorded in the OneStaff database and participate in Occupational Health and Safety matters Risk management Safety Management System Requirements Work safely Manage all hazards, risks and incidents in the workplace by identifying, evaluating, reporting and controlling them effectively by maintaining a Hazard and Risk Register that is reviewed and kept up to date on an ongoing basis Stop work where there is an immediate risk of serious harm and escalate to the appropriate manager Maintain Occupational Health of employees due to workplace hazardous exposures Ensure you and the employees understand and follow CM Health s Occupational Health and Safety policies and Health and Safety regulations, what your responsibilities are under the policies and implement these requirements effectively into your work area Manage the work area s risk profile and how these relate to the corporate risk profile and implement and resource mitigation controls Engage your employees to participate in Occupational Health and Safety matter. Report for duty in a fit state, free from the influence of alcohol or other drugs Provide and wear the necessary Personal Protective Equipment for yourself and your staff when undertaking specific activities, or when in nominated areas Ensure procedures are in place for clinical and plant equipment to be operated safely Participate in relevant safety training, manage and maintain safety related competencies for yourself and your employees Be in possession of required and current Certificates of Competency (If relevant to your position) Position description: Counties Manukau Health 11
HEALTH AND SAFETY ACCOUNTABILITIES (non-management roles) Health and Safety (H&S) is a key accountability of all Counties Manukau Health (CM Health) staff. All CM Health Employees are responsible to: Zero Harm Engage in safe workplace practices and take care of the health and safety of themselves, other employees and people in the workplace Risk Management Safety Management System Requirements Work Safely Identify, evaluate and report all hazards and incidents they are aware of in the workplace Adhere to apply risk controls, identified in risk assessments, such as Safe Operating Procedures Follow safety instructions Stop work when there is an immediate risk of serious harm and notify the appropriate manager Ensure nothing they do or don t do will cause harm to themselves or others Understand and follow CM Health s Occupational Health and Safety policies, Health and Safety regulations, and personal responsibilities as outlined by these policies Follow all Occupational Health and Safety policies and procedures Report for duty in a fit state, free from the influence of alcohol or other drugs Participate in consultation activities regarding matters affecting your health, safety and wellbeing Wear the required Personal Protective Equipment when undertaking specific activities, or when in nominated areas Operate clinical or plant equipment safely Participate in relevant safety training, and maintain safety related competencies If relevant to your position, be in possession of required and current Certificates of Competency Position description: Counties Manukau Health 12