Medical Social Worker - St Andrew's Nursing Home (Henderson)

Job Summary

To be the principal contact with patients and their families, offering counselling, social work support and practical assistance to their personal, social, emotional and financial problems that are related to their illness. in conjunction with other healthcare professionals, help them alleviate or resolve these problems.

Roles & Responsibilities

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

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

2. Joint consultation with medical staff, nurses, other healthcare professionals to discuss plans for total resident management. Participate in resident care conference and family conference.

3. Liaise with organisations that provide services (e.g. public assistance, home Rehabilitation care services) to meet the needs of the residents and their families.

4. Apply for Medifund Assistance and/or other financial assistance for cases that need such help.

5. Maintain computerised case records and statistics on residents. The records kept include individuals who have been rejected by family or burnt-out cases.

6. Field work involving visiting residents at wards, job placement work places, institutions, other social agencies to help residents alleviate or resolve their financial-social problems.

7. Prepare social and other related reports for management and other related institutions / agencies on request by the ED/Principal MSW.

8. 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.

9. Initiate new support services for ex-residents and/or caregivers.

Administrative Duties

• Assist with work distribution within the department.
• Supervise, coach and appraise the department Administrative Assistant.

Other Duties

• Participate in the training/orientation of new staff and volunteers.
• Participate in internal and/or external committee/workgroup activities as well as research work as directed by the Principal MSW or the ED.
• Cover the duties of the other staff (MSW, MSWA) in his/her absence.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Recognised Degree in Social Work / Post Graduate Diploma in Social Work
• Registered with Singapore Association of Social Workers.
• At least 3 years related work experience in medical social work, preferably in ILTC sector.