Senior Social Work Practitioner

Job Title: Senior Social Work Practitioner

Reference No: 06\.030 (2026\)

Department / Directorate: Social Work Department, COO Directorate

Reports to: Manager of Social Work or Deputy

Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) is a model 4, voluntary, academic teaching hospital partnered with Trinity College and situated in south west Dublin. With a staff of over 4,000 people from 63 different countries, it provides both acute and tertiary care to an increasing population of circa 800,000 people and is a provider of local, regional and national specialties. It is also a National Urology Centre, the second largest provider of dialysis services in the country, Pelvic and Acetabulum National Centre and a designated Trauma Unit.

The Hospital is part of the newly established HSE Dublin \& Midlands Region, which serves a population of over 1\.2 million across seven counties, and operates under the governance of an independent Board of Directors who give their time on a voluntary basis. TUH is also supported by the Adelaide Health Foundation, the Meath Foundation and Tallaght University Hospital Foundation.

TUH recognises the role it plays in our community both as an employer and provider of healthcare and is committed to building a sustainable future for our region both now and into the future with a focus on patient outcomes.

The Hospital is ambitious, recognising that healthcare delivery is undergoing seismic change and will be different now and into the future, largely due to digital and technological advances along with research continuing to discover and test new treatment options. TUH wants to be a leader in determining that future. It is a *“Hospital without Walls”* always looking to optimise care both within and beyond in line with the Sláintecare vision of providing the right care, in the right place, at the right time whilst empowering our patients and staff.

TUH Vision and Values

The vision of the Hospital is “*People Caring for People to Live Better Lives”* through excellent health outcomes supported by evidenced based practice, positive patient and staff experience in an empowering and caring environment. A culture of innovation and quality improvement in everything we do.

Our TUH CARE values – for patients, their families, our community and staff are:* Collaborate – together and with our academic and care partners

• Achieve – our goals, positive outcomes and wellbeing


• Respect – for patients, each other and our environment


• Equity – for patients and staff

At TUH we view our staff as our most valuable asset and every member of the Team is valued equally. We recognise that a skilled, satisfied and motivated workforce is a prerequisite to high quality care.

A full overview of TUH is available on www.tuh.ie/about us

purpose of the role:

The Senior Social Work Practitioner will work as part of the Medical and Surgical teams to help patients and their families with any psychological, emotional, social or practical difficulties during their hospital stay. In addition to performing the full range of operational level duties, the Senior Social Work Practitioner will also be responsible for mentoring Professionally Qualified Social Workers/student social workers and participate in their continuing professional training and development.

Senior Social Work Practitioners working in TUH can be assigned to work in any area across the hospital, including offsite facilities.

overview of role:

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Service* Staff are assigned to Specialist Teams within Adult Services in TUH. These specialist attachments can be subject to review by the Social Work Manager according to the needs of the service

• The remit of the SSWP includes a key role in developing and enhancing clinical practice in the Social Work Department

Professional Duties and Responsibilities:* Carry a caseload and take responsibility for service delivery to patients of the area that they are assigned to, commensurate with duties as a Senior Practitioner

• Have knowledge of the needs of the above patients in terms of the psychosocial impact of the presenting illness; provide counselling and support to patients and their families/carers in this context


• Demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively with clients of the service and their families


• Demonstrate an ability to work effectively with people at all levels in the organisation and from other agencies


• Attend as appropriate at clinics, ward rounds, multidisciplinary meetings etc. to discuss care planning for patients


• Initiate and support the development of a multidisciplinary approach to patient care, which includes holding Care Planning Meetings/Case Conferences as required in planning patient care


• Have experience of managing a busy caseload and dealing with complex cases


• Report to and consult with Social Work Team Leaders/Social Work Manager on casework practice, particularly in relation to critical cases, as outlined in departmental policy


• Maintain high standards in social work practice


• Engage in professional supervision, in accordance with policy of the social work department


• Perform other duties that may be assigned by the Social Work Manager

Education and Training:* Participate in opportunities for professional development in compliance with the required standards as set out by CORU

• Have knowledge of legislation pertaining to social work practice in Ireland, and keep up to date with changes in legislation


• Undertake and initiate projects related to the development of high standards in clinical practice, as deemed appropriate by the Social Work Manager


• Contribute to induction and training programmes for newly qualified Social Workers and for Social Workers new to the hospital


• Offer a mentoring role for newly qualified Social Workers and those new to the hospital


• Has knowledge of and experience in Practice Teaching; will take an active role in co\-ordinating student placements and support colleagues in the supervision of students


• Take responsibility for the dissemination of knowledge/information to the Social Work Department, looking at its impact on clinical practice


• Play an active role in the provision of in\-service training e.g. Coordination of the CPD Forum in the Social Work Department


• Provide teaching and participate in Social Work training programmes for other health professionals as required

Research:* Promote clinical research, particularly in the specialist area attached to the post

• Participate in multidisciplinary research projects and/or initiate new projects to further clinical Social Work practice

Team Work* Participate as an active member of the Social Work Department

• Attend Social Work Department meetings as required


• Participate in the formulation/up\-dating of policies and procedures for the Social Work Department


• Co\-operate with other Social Work Team members in planning service delivery

Administration* Ensure that clear, concise, social work records are maintained in a professional manner in keeping with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act/ Social Work Department policy

• Provide information on activity levels, statistics etc. as may be required by the Social Work Manager

Qualifications \& Experience required

Must have:* Be registered as a Social Worker with CORU, the professional body for regulating Health \& Social Care Professionals\-Social Work Registration number to be included on CV

And* Maintain live annual registration on the Social Work Register maintained by CORU

And* Have a minimum of 3 years full time (or equivalent) relevant post qualification experience

And* Must have requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and professional ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office

Desirable:* Have relevant experience of social work in health care setting

• Have experience working with clients that have chronic illnesses


• Have practice teaching experience

Reward \& Recognition* Remuneration is in accordance with the Department of Health Consolidated Salary Scales, grade code 3614\.

*These particulars are subject to change in line with overall public pay policy. Point on scale allocated is based on relevant HSE Circulars.** The initial appointment is the initial appointment is full time, permanent and pensionable. A *panel maybe formed for future permanent and temporary vacancies that may arise in the future.*

• The annual leave entitlement is 29 working days per year. The leave year runs from 1st April to the 31st of March each year.


• Normal working hours are 35 worked over 5 days. Your contracted hours of work are liable to change between the hours of 8 am to 8 pm over 7 days to meet the requirements for extended day services in accordance with the terms of the Framework Agreement.

Application process

Applications can be submitted ‘on\-line’ at www.tuh.ie/careers by completing the application form and attaching your CV. Candidates should be aware that, when applying for a post through the 'On\-Line' Application System (Candidate Manager) they will receive an automated replying acknowledging receipt of their application. Should you for any reason, not receive this automated acknowledgement, you should notify the Human Resources Department, before the closing date, otherwise your application will not be considered.

All candidates should note that, in order to maintain a timely process, the closing date and time for receipt of applications will be strictly adhered to.

TUH is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to promoting an environment free from discrimination in accordance with the Employment Equality Acts 1998 and 2004\. The Hospital values diversity and recognises the benefits of havi

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