Social Worker - Infected Blood Psychological Service

All our hospitals have their own unique identities while sharing the same standards and values. You can shape your story with us. Whether you’re looking to gain experience in a large, fast-paced hospital or get out into the community, we have a range of opportunities that allows you to build your entire career in one trust. For us, every day is different. We provide care to a diverse population of 2.5 million across east London – that’s 6,000 people every day, speaking over 60 different languages. Our patients are at the heart of everything we do, and we are committed to ensuring that people living in east London live healthy lives.

We are excited to advertise this new social worker post, with the aim to develop, manage and deliver a high-quality service to adults with inherited bleeding disorders, including haemophilias, von Willebrand disease, platelet defects, and factor deficiencies. We are looking for an experienced Social Worker to join the Haemophilia Comprehensive Care Centre (HCCC) at the Royal London Hospital. The key focus for the post holder will be to provide input to those people who were infected with Blood Borne Viruses (BBV) through the receipt of contaminated blood and blood products, as well as those affected, such as members of their immediate family. Ideally, the successful candidate will be able to work on a Monday afternoon, which is when the Haemophilia Centre multidisciplinary meeting takes place.

Main duties of the job: The aim of the role is to provide and promote a specialist, comprehensive and evidence-based social work service for patients assessed and cared for by the Infected Blood Psychological Service within The Royal London Hospital and across other Trust sites as required. The post is based within Barts Health’s Infected Blood Psychological Service (IBPS) hosted by the Trust’s Haemophilia Centre. The service provides multidisciplinary care for those infected and affected by the contaminated blood products by conducting outreach and psychosocial assessments led by a navigator; and providing psychological therapies by a team of psychological professionals. The post holder will provide a high-quality navigation/care support service, which includes psychosocial assessments and interventions to beneficiaries of the Infected Blood Psychological Service (IBPS). The post holder will also lead on outreach programmes and support the overall development of the newly founded service.

Person specification:

• Qualifications: Certificate/Diploma/Equivalent in Social Work. Registration of Social Care professional body plus evidence of indentured/supported practice (when social work professional postholder required). Interest in working towards further education in Social Work/Policy.
• Experience and skills: Experience of working within health care setting. Work independently. Evaluate complex psychosocial needs of IBPS patients & those close to them. Carry their own caseload. Be a member of APCSW. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Evidence of continuing professional/personal development. Able to prioritise and meet deadlines. Interpersonal skills. Teaching skills. Able to manage complex situations. Time management. Able to use initiative. Confidentiality in the workplace.
• Knowledge: Training and Experience in Health Care. Working knowledge of current social policy/legislation. Experience of clinical supervision. Experience of working in a clinical setting. Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team. Able to demonstrate specialist knowledge of adults and children with complex needs and chronic conditions. Knowledge of research and audit. Understanding of safeguarding. Training and Experience in Bleeding Disorder Care.

As an Equal Opportunities Employer we actively support applications from individuals who apply under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme and will process your application as appropriate. This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

You’ll have access to a range of benefits including one of the best pension schemes in the UK, leisure and entertainment discounts and parental leave and childcare support schemes we’re really proud of. We're also committed to ensuring that you are supported in gaining and developing the skills and knowledge needed to carry out your work safely and effectively, and to achieve your full potential.