Renal Social Support Worker | North Bristol NHS Trust

We have an exciting opportunity for a Social Support Worker to join the Renal & Transplant department based at Southmead Hospital. The postholder will work with kidney patients under the care of the Renal & Transplant department in a temporary role for a minimum of 18 months, with the option for temporary extension depending on approval at time of request.

This role aims to employ someone with an undergraduate degree in Social Work to undertake person-centred work with individuals and families focussing on their strengths to reduce the psychological impact of living with chronic kidney disease. The postholder will provide a social support worker service including assessment and intervention with renal patients and their families.

The Renal & Transplant department covers a large geographical area in addition to a designated renal ward, outpatient clinics, transplant clinics and dialysis units. This role will scope the need for and design of a social support worker role to reduce the psychological impact of renal treatments, to promote adjustment and engagement with medical treatments recommended by the renal medical team.

The postholder will act as an advocate and source of support for renal patients under the care of the North Bristol NHS Trust Renal & Transplant department. Applicants will need to meet the Education requirements of this role in order to be considered including a degree in Social Work or relevant undergraduate degree, DipSW SQSW, CSS or equivalent. Applicants with experience working in acute health settings will meet desirable criteria.

To be a champion of social care with understanding of legislation and statutory guidance. To offer professional advice and guidance within the adult renal community. To contribute to complex assessments and review, for patients who might be high risk. To contribute to such reviews as part of an integrated assessment of patient’s health and social care needs particularly those with significant interpersonal, social, legal and/or environmental complexities.

To highlight the need for commissioned services to allow choice to service users and carers, and focus on people living in the community with appropriate support and access to universal services. To contribute to risk assessments and ensure that vulnerable people are kept safe. To promote safeguarding practice in line with policy and in collaboration with the relevant safeguarding teams.

To advise colleagues about best practice when undertaking assessments of carers needs, including identifying contingency plans, and provision of support if appropriate. To be skilled in partnership working and identify relevant recovery focused community services and ensure that colleagues within the region are aware of best practice. Provide advice to colleagues in complex crisis situations as requested by medical staff and the multidisciplinary team.

To be responsible for scoping the benefits of a dedicated renal social worker for the adult nephrology department under supervision and in liaison with senior staff.

North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff providing healthcare to the residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset from our award-winning hospital building at Southmead. We are the regional Major Trauma Centre, and an internationally recognised centre of excellence in a range of services and major specialities. Our vision is that by enabling our teams to be the best that they can be, we will provide exceptional healthcare, personally delivered.

North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups.

The postholder will be Managed by Lead Clinical Psychologist who is accountable to the Renal Services Manager. The postholder will receive clinical supervision from an experienced paediatric renal social worker based at the Bristol Royal Infirmary.

See Job Description document for further details of main responsibilities.