Social Worker (Health)

KEY OUTPUTS:

• Properly placed abandoned children in foster homes. 
• Properly placed physically and mentally handicapped, senior citizens, children and social destitutes who are discharged from the hospital. 

RANGE OF ACTIVITIES:

• Study and assess the social aspects of medical problems for Doctors use in diagnosing and treating patients. 
• Consult with administrative staff about the improvements in welfare services and routine welfare functions within the hospital. 
• Arrange transfers of patients between institutions; assist patients with any personal problems which may arise. 
• Consult with other welfare officers in the community, (both voluntary and statutory) and with other hospitals, institutions and Government Department, individual social problems. 
• Represent the hospital on welfare committees and projects in the community. 
• Administration and organisation of the day to day work involve:
  • Home visits
  • Visit to other hospitals, institutions, Government Departments, and voluntary organisations.
  • Attend meetings and conferences outside the hospital.
  • Placement of physically disabled senior citizens, social destitutes who are discharge, physically and mentally handicapped children.
  • Process applications for fostering abandoned children, interviewing and counselling prospective foster parents and visiting other homes. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE: 

• A Diploma in Social Work from a recognised University PLUS two (2) years experience in Social Work or Counselling. 

DECISION MAKING, PROBLEM SOLVING AND IMPACT ON RESULTS:

• The job holder is required to make complex and prompt decisions to solve problems to both in-patient and out-patients. 
• The job holder is required to make decisions on suitability of potential foster parents and who should be recommended to the Adoption Board to pursue Legal Adoption. 

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT:

• The incumbent supervises one (1) subordinate staff but has daily management of a clinic of which the average daily attendance is about twenty five (25) 
• He/she is not a budget holder but is responsible for equipment in the clinic to the value of ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) 

COMMUNICATIONS:

Apart from all levels of staff in the unit, the incumbent is require to communicate with the hospital Administrator and other Heads of Department about the quality of service offered to the public. The holder of the position also communicates with members of the public and other social service agencies. 

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The job holder spends about 75% of his/her time in the field and the other 25% in the office.