Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced and enthusiastic Social Worker to join the new regional Infected Blood Psychological Service (IBPS). The post holder will form part of a brand new service to support people across the South West impacted by the Infected Blood Inquiry. They will be closely supported by colleagues, including Psychologists and Social Workers within an established and highly valued and supportive psychological health service.
The new service will provide multidisciplinary care for those infected and affected by contaminated blood products by:
a) conducting outreach and psychosocial assessments led by the Social Worker/ Navigator in the advertised role
b) providing psychological therapies by practitioner psychologists in the service.
There are excellent facilities to support this role, with dedicated administrative support and dedicated clinical space within Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre and Weston General Hospital. We offer a very supportive Psychological Health Services (PHS) group across the Trust, with strong links to regional and national networks. There are other Social Workers employed in the wider PHS that will provide opportunities for peer supervision and professional development.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will provide a high-quality navigation/ care support service, which includes:
Psychosocial assessments and interventions for people accessing the Infected Blood Psychological Service (IBPS).
Leading on outreach to people infected and affected across the South West region of England. Stigma around mental health remains a concern across the population. For that reason, outreach will be a specific part of the model, primarily led by the Social Worker Regional Navigators. Outreach activity should take account of the need to engage specifically with those with protected characteristics that can be associated with lower levels of access to psychological services, especially ethnic minorities, disabled people and men.
The post holder will work closely with all haemophilia Comprehensive Care Centres (CCCs) in the region to ensure that psychological support and other aspects of the service are co-ordinated effectively across the region to make best use of resources and to support access to all beneficiaries.
About us
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of over 13,000 staff and over 100 different clinical services across 10 different sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England. UHBW has been rated by the CQC as 'Good' overall and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston and beyond. As a forward- thinking multi-award winning Trust and a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care, our world-leading research and innovations are having a positive local and global impact. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone's throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we're meeting our pledge.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For a more detailed job description and main responsibilities, please refer to the job description and person specification document attached to this vacancy.
Responsible for planning, coordinating and evaluating the navigator service provided to individuals accessing the IBPS across the region.
Assess and evaluate service users emotional, social, practical, and financial needs in collaboration with the specialist multi-disciplinary team, and support or signpost accordingly, advising on housing, finances, and benefits problems at work.
Respond independently to crises in conjunction with medical staff, IBPS psychological professionals, and the multi-disciplinary team.
Person Specification
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
1. Significant experience of working with adults and children
2. Able to demonstrate specialist knowledge and experience of working with adults and children with complex needs and/or chronic conditions
3. Knowledge of research and audit
4. Willingness to travel across the regional geographical area when necessary, and in a timely manner
5. Understanding of safeguarding
6. Able to demonstrate specialist knowledge of people with complex needs
Desirable
7. Experience of working within healthcare environment
Skills and Abilities
Essential
8. Excellent written and verbal communication skills
9. Evidence of continuing professional/personal development
10. Able to prioritise and meet deadlines
11. Interpersonal skills
12. Teaching skills
13. IT skills
14. Able to manage complex situations
15. Time management
16. Able to use initiative
17. Confidentiality in the workplace
18. Able to demonstrate application of expanded roles/skills within clinical settings
Qualifications and Training
Essential
19. Degree in Social Work (or equivalent)
20. Registration plus evidence of indentured/supported practice
Aptitudes
Essential
21. Ability to work within a team and independently
22. Flexible approach to work and able to work under pressure
23. Effective communication and empathy for others
24. Aware of own emotional wellbeing