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Job Title: Medical Social Worker
Reference No: 07.021 (2025)
Department / Directorate: Social Work Department, COO Directorate
Reports to: Manager of Social Work or Deputy
Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) is a model 4, voluntary, academic teaching hospital partnered with Trinity College and situated in south west Dublin. With a staff of over 4,000 people from 63 different countries, it provides both acute and tertiary care to an increasing population of circa 800,000 people and is a provider of local, regional, and national specialties. It is also a National Urology Centre, the second largest provider of dialysis services in the country, Pelvic and Acetabulum National Centre, and a designated Trauma Unit.
The Hospital is part of the newly established HSE Dublin & Midlands Region, which serves a population of over 1.2 million across seven counties, and operates under the governance of an independent Board of Directors who give their time on a voluntary basis. TUH is also supported by the Adelaide Health Foundation, the Meath Foundation, and Tallaght University Hospital Foundation.
TUH recognises the role it plays in our community both as an employer and provider of healthcare and is committed to building a sustainable future for our region both now and into the future with a focus on patient outcomes.
The Hospital is ambitious, recognising that healthcare delivery is undergoing seismic change and will be different now and into the future, largely due to digital and technological advances along with research continuing to discover and test new treatment options. TUH wants to be a leader in determining that future. It is a “Hospital without Walls” always looking to optimise care both within and beyond in line with the Sláintecare vision of providing the right care, in the right place, at the right time whilst empowering our patients and staff.
TUH Vision and Values
The vision of the Hospital is “People Caring for People to Live Better Lives” through excellent health outcomes supported by evidenced based practice, positive patient and staff experience in an empowering and caring environment. A culture of innovation and quality improvement in everything we do.
Our TUH CARE values – for patients, their families, our community, and staff are:
* Collaborate – together and with our academic and care partners
* Achieve – our goals, positive outcomes, and wellbeing
* Respect – for patients, each other, and our environment
* Equity – for patients and staff
At TUH, we view our staff as our most valuable asset and every member of the team is valued equally. We recognise that a skilled, satisfied, and motivated workforce is a prerequisite to high-quality care.
Purpose of the Role
The Medical Social Worker will work as part of the Medical and Surgical teams to help patients and their families with any psychological, emotional, social, or practical difficulties during their hospital stay.
Overview of Role
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Service
* Carry a caseload, and take responsibility for service delivery to the area to which s/he is assigned
* Carry out psychosocial assessments where social issues are a factor in illness management and advise the multidisciplinary team of the outcome
* Formulate care plans for patients together with the multidisciplinary team, which includes holding Care Planning Meetings/Professionals Meetings as required in meeting patients' care needs
* Provide information, support, and counselling to patients and their families in the context of a holistic approach to healthcare
* Work closely with community and other healthcare services to ensure patients and their families have an appropriate level of support to meet their care needs
* Report to and consult with a Social Work Team Leader / Principal Social Worker on casework practice, particularly in relation to critical cases, as outlined in Departmental policy
* Carry out home visits as appropriate
* Keep accurate contemporaneous records of social work assessments and interventions
* Have knowledge of legislation pertaining to social work practice in Ireland, and keep up to date with changes in legislation
* Engage in professional supervision in accordance with the policy of the Social Work Department
* Implement and maintain high standards in social work practice
Team Work
* Participate as an active member of the Social Work Department
* Attend Social Work Department meetings as required
* Participate in the formulation/updating of policies and procedures for the Social Work Department
* Act for other Social Work staff as and when required
* Participate as an active member of the multidisciplinary team, including Health and Social Care, Nursing, and Medical staff
CPD, Education, and Training
* Participate in opportunities for professional development
* Keep up to date with developments in social work practice
* Participate in research in the context of working in a major Dublin Teaching Hospital
* Participate in the training and development of other staff and students, and participate in research
Administration
* Ensure that clear, concise social work records are maintained in a professional manner
* Provide information on activity levels, statistics, etc., as may be required by the Principal Social Worker
Qualifications & Experience Required
Must have:
* Be registered as a Social Worker with CORU, the professional body for regulating Health & Social Care Professionals - include CORU registration number on CV
* Maintain live annual registration on the Social Work Register maintained by CORU
* Must have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and professional ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office
Desirable:
* Have relevant experience of social work in similar healthcare settings
Reward & Recognition
* Remuneration is in accordance with the Department of Health Consolidated Salary Scales, grade code 3557.
* The appointment is full-time, permanent, and pensionable.
* A panel may be formed for future temporary and permanent posts.
* The annual leave entitlement is 27 working days per year. The leave year runs from 1st April to 31st March each year.
* Normal working hours are 35 hours over 5 days. Hours may vary between 8 am to 8 pm over 7 days to meet service requirements.
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