Social Work Team Leader

Job Title: Medical Social Work Team Leader\-Adult Medicine

Reference No: 06\.031 (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 Medical Social Work Team Leader 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 Medical Social Work Team Leader will also be responsible for supervising Basic Grade / Student Social Workers and participate in their continuing professional training and development.

overview of role:

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Team Work* Participate as an active member of the Social Work Team, contributing to the objectives of the team. Tasks assigned within the team may vary on a day to day basis

• Liaise closely with members of the social work and multidisciplinary teams to highlight complex cases and assist where possible


• Act as a link person in retrieving information from the relevant discipline to facilitate patient discharge


• Link with community services regarding accessing services to facilitate discharge


• Co\-operate with other social work team members in planning service delivery


• Promote multidisciplinary team working, which includes Health and Social Care Professionals, Nursing and Medical staff


• Attend Social Work Department meetings/Social Work Team Leader meetings as required


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

Professional Responsibilities* Carry a clinical caseload in designated area

• Provide counselling, information and support to patients and their families in the context of a holistic approach to health care


• Carry out psychosocial assessments where social issues are a factor in illness management and advise the multidisciplinary team on the outcome


• Formulate care plans for patients together with the multidisciplinary team, which includes holding Care Planning Meetings/Case Conferences as required in meeting patients’ care needs


• Work closely with community and other health care services to ensure patients and their families have an appropriate level of support to meet their care needs


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


• Keep accurate contemporaneous records of social work assessments and interventions.


• Have knowledge of legislation pertaining to social work practice in Ireland


• Implement and maintain high standards in social work practice

Managerial Responsibilities* Take responsibility for overseeing the social work input to the xx Team, under the direction of the Social Work Manager

• Provide a high standard of supervision to other members of the Social Work Team


• Support the staff of the Social Work Department in carrying out their duties and responsibilities


• Participate as required in resolving complex cases, promoting good practice in care planning and working proactively to facilitate a patient’s discharge from hospital


• Act for the Social Work Manager, other Social Work Team Leaders and Social Workers as and when required


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


• Collate data \& reports as required within the remit of the Social Work Team Leader role

Education Training and Research* Participate in opportunities for professional development

• Promote Continuous Professional Development for all staff in the Department


• Participate in the training and development of staff in other Departments


• Promote clinical research to further clinical social work practice


• Participate in multidisciplinary research projects


• Keep up to date with developments in social work and with changes in legislation, which impact on social work practice


• Any other duties assigned by the Social Work Manager

Qualifications \& Experience required

Must have:* Be registered in the Social Work Register maintained by the Social Work Registration board at CORU

• Maintain live annual registration on the Social Work Register maintained by the Social Workers Registration Board at CORU


• Have a minimum of 3 years full time (or equivalent) post qualifying professional social work experience


• Must have the 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 practice experience in acute health care setting

Reward \& Recognition* Remuneration is in accordance with the Department of Health Consolidated Salary Scales, grade code 3902\. €71,690 \- €82,693\.

• The 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 30 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 having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. We are committed to equality of access to positions within the Hospital. All recruitment activity and documentation will encourage applications from all potential candidates without discrimination.

Informal Enquiries to: Janice Hanlon, Principal Social Worker, Social Work Department \- Telephone (01\) 414 2462 or email Janice.hanlon@tuh.ie

Closing Date: Before close of business on: 13th July 2026

TUH Core Competencies:Core Area Competency Level

Managing the service Quality \& Safety of Service 3

Managing the service Delivery of Results 4

Managing Change Problem Solving \& Decision Making 4

Managing Change Communications \& Influencing 4

Managing Yourself Team player 4

Managing Yourself Planning and Organising 4

Managing People People Management 4

Managing People Leadership 3

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