Duties and Responsibilities 1.1 Patient Care Take referrals from other professionals, patients and those close to them. Prioritise appropriately. Manage a case load within the specialty whilst working as part of the multidisciplinary team. Attend and actively contribute to multidisciplinary team meetings, ensure that social care needs are addressed Undertake assessments to determine the social care needs of patients and those close to them. Assess and manage the social care needs of homeless patients and those with no recourse to public funds. Contribute to capacity assessments when required. Ensure patients are referred appropriately to other hospital services such as occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychology. Ensure that those patients requiring ongoing long-term support in the community are referred to the appropriate external agencies, in particular local social services. Assess and evaluate risk for vulnerable patients and families and plan to manage this risk as appropriate liaising with the multidisciplinary team, refer to safeguarding teams when appropriate. This may include child protection. Ensure patients with complex social care needs are referred appropriately within the hospital and externally. Work with the hospital discharge team to facilitate safe and timely discharge from hospital to community providing ongoing social care packages as required. Communicate social care needs (long-term and short-term) to relevant agencies to enable patients and their families to maximise their independence and minimise risk. Communicate complex, sensitive information, including relevant legislation to vulnerable patients and their families. Manage difficult and emotional communications; this may include disclosure of abuse. Take appropriate action. Be actively involved in direct intervention, e.g. individual, family meetings. Organise case conferences when appropriate Offer ongoing support to patients, this may be individual case work or in conjunction with other members of the multidisciplinary team. Support and enable patients and carers to make informed decisions relating to their care and management Act as an advocate for patients within the service, to ensure a patient orientated approach to the delivery of care and to meet standards within the NHS Plan and other relevant guidelines. Ensure that patients receive high quality care and a good patient experience, having regard for their customs, religious beliefs and doctrines. Assess social care information needs for patients and families and ensure needs are met. Provide accurate advice and information on welfare benefits and signpost as appropriate. Advise patients on debt management. Support patients to apply for financial aid from national kidney charities such as BKPA. Process applications according to charity guidelines. Contribute to patient information and staff education programmes as appropriate. Support staff to manage patients with challenging behaviours including verbal and physical aggression Carry out regular visits to offsite Kidney Treatment Centres to ensure all patients can access the Renal Social Worker. Undertake home visits if required. 2.2 Quality Work within national legislation, statutory guidelines and local protocols. Is wholly accountable for their practice in line with the HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics (2012) and takes every reasonable opportunity to sustain and improve their knowledge and professional competence. Participate in key developments relating to the specialty so that high quality patient focused services are promoted. Utilise information systems to aid regular audit of the service and to contribute to an annual activity report Take an active role in risk assessment, supporting implementation of strategies to minimise risk. Ensuring incidents and near misses are reported, through promoting a no blame culture. Act in accordance with Local, Hospital and Statutory Guidelines & Policies including Health and Safety initiatives. Be familiar with the Trusts fire, manual handling and C.O.S.H.H. policies to minimise risks to patients and staff. Be conversant with the trust major incident plan, and understand the procedure. Take all possible precautions to safeguard the welfare and safety of staff, service users, visitors and the public, by implementing all policies related to health, safety, security and risk. Be responsible for maintaining a safe environment for patients, visitors and other staff. Identify where circumstances contribute to an unsafe environment for patients and staff. Bring instances to the attention of the Nurse in Charge or Matron for the area Be familiar with the Health and Safety at Works Act, and be aware of its implications and ensure that local unit and departmental policies are followed. Maintain accurate records of the service ensuring that confidentiality of information is adhered to. Ensure that sensitive patient records are stored appropriately. Develop the role according to patients changing needs, within the resources available. Work in accordance with corporate and directorate objectives. Enhance the interface between staff, patients, community staff and visitors Create an environment that fosters good communication between patient and health care professionals that meets individuals needs. Be an effective communicator and be a role model in liaising with the community and other members of the health care team. Facilitate a high quality, cost effective social work service Foster strong links with local and national kidney patient groups and charities as appropriate 1.3 Professional and Educational Attend regular reflective practice supervision sessions to discuss practice-based issues. Discuss complex cases with Specialist Renal Social worker / professional supervisor to obtain support and guidance. Attend relevant meetings and training to ensure continual professional requirements and competencies are maintained. Attend and participate in national meetings and conferences on the psychosocial needs of renal patients, their families and carers Participate in relevant renal and social work meetings e.g. the Renal Social Workers Special Interest Group. Identify professional / developmental learning needs to ensure practice remains up to date. Keep abreast of latest social work legislation. Deputise for the Specialist Renal Social Worker in their absence Mentor social work students or new entrants if required 1.4 Communication To create an environment that fosters good communication between patient and health care professionals, that meets individuals needs. Be an effective communicator and be a role model in liaising with the community and other members of the health care team. Provide support mechanisms for sharing good practice within the Wards/Departments and Trust wide.