Associate Medical Social Worker / Medical Social Worker

Job Description & Requirements

The candidate will support / report to Senior Medical Social Worker / Lead of Psychosocial Spiritual Support.

• Interview and counsel patients and their families to help them alleviate or resolve their medico-social and financial issues by:

1. Screening the social background of all new applicants and identifying potential cases that need assistance (financial and/or social)
2. Liaising with government and voluntary agencies, churches (where appropriate) when there are areas of needs
3. Seeking financial support for patients who are unable to pay for nursing home stay

• Joint consultation with medical staff, nurses, other healthcare professionals to discuss plans for total patient management. Participate in patient care conference and family conference.
• Liaise with organizations that provide services (e.g. public assistance, home Rehabilitation care services) to meet the needs of the patients and their families.
• Apply for Medifund Assistance and/or other financial assistance for cases that need such help.
• Maintain computerised case records and statistics on patients. The records kept include individuals who have been rejected by family or burnt-out cases.
• Field work involving visiting patients at wards, job placement work places, institutions, other social agencies to help patients alleviate or resolve their financial-social problems.
• Prepare social and other related reports for management and other related institutions / agencies on request by the ED/Principal MSW.
• Undertake to be well informed on government guidelines on healthcare and social services available within community as well as the latest in the field of social work.
• Initiate new support services for ex-patients and/or caregivers
• Supporting Resident’s Engagement

• Initiate ACP awareness with residents and their NOKs
• Participate in internal and/or external committee/workgroup activities as well as research work as directed by Senior MSW/Lead of PSS Services
• Cover the duties of the other staff (MSW / Senior MSW) in his/her absence.

Job requirement:

• Degree /Diploma in Social Work or relevant formal qualifications from a recognized university.
• Preferably 2-3 years of relevant experience in a healthcare environment.
• Good Interpersonal and communication skills.
• Energetic, committed and enjoy working as a team.
• Has good experience in social work, including experience in counselling/Assessments
• Some knowledge of health care operations and service processes are essential, with experience in a non-profit healthcare institution being an advantage.
• Must have a clear vision and understanding of the direction that SANH is taking in response to the rapidly changing healthcare delivery models which MOH has for the lLTC - Mental Health sector to meet the changing needs in tandem with the demographic changes of the population.
• Able to work in collaboration with other professionals in the multi-disciplinary team