Medical Research jobs in Cork, County Cork

Senior Medical Social Worker - Adult Safeguarding and Assisted Decision Making

Permanent Contract, Full Time Hours.

Purpose of the Post:

• Support and advise Mercy University Hospital (MUH) to build an effective adult safeguarding delivery system.
• Support MUH in promoting a strong adult safeguarding working culture and work closely with the national safeguarding office in the roll out of the new policy and the development of guidance and promotion of adult safeguarding in a wider context.
• Take a lead on education and training developments in the area of adult safeguarding and Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (ADMCA) in MUH and in the context of the implementation of an education programme for the existing safeguarding practice and structures and any revised HSE adult safeguarding policy.
• Take a lead role on quality and practice matters and other related service developments/initiatives in the area of adult safeguarding and assisted decision making.
• Develop guidance, support materials, and support the roll out of guidance developed by National Safeguarding Office (NSO) about Adult Safeguarding and Assisted Decision making across MUH.
• Lead on building the support structure to effectively implement the revised National Policy Framework for Adult Safeguarding across MUH in the Health and Social Care Sector.
• Offer support, guidance and advice on social work practice matters and wider safeguarding issues to a range of relevant stakeholders and services across MUH and build effective relationships with existing social work staff in MUH and national safeguarding Office.
• Support the development and implementation of the Hospital's Assisted Decision-Making implementation plan in conjunction with the national implementation plan.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Professional / Clinical:

• Support MUH to build an effective adult safeguarding culture to support the delivery system.
• Manage a complex clinical caseload including adult safeguarding and assisted decision-making complexities.
• Provide clinical and professional leadership within MUH to support the development and delivery of a high-quality adult safeguarding service.
• Advise stakeholders and external organisations as required on adult safeguarding with MUH in line with legal and policy frameworks.
• Advise managers and health care professionals on the appropriate assessment and coordination responses following the raising of adult safeguarding concerns.
• Advise managers and health care professionals on Assisted Decision Making, Advanced Healthcare Directives and HSE National Consent Policy.
• Contribute to policy and practice developments for adult safeguarding with MUH and as required in Acute Operations and across the HSE.
• Ensure the promotion and implementation of the National Policy Framework for Adult Safeguarding and Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (ADMCA).
• Work closely with Hospital Social Work Teams and Community Healthcare Safeguarding Teams on the operation of adult safeguarding.
• Develop strong collaborative relationships with relevant Community Health Services.
• Provide leadership through guidance, education, support and information giving which promotes a working culture based on a strong person-centred and human rights approach.
• Support the implementation and coordination of the Group and services implementation plan following the enactment of the ADMCA.
• Develop strong working relationships and collaboration links across MUH with relevant professionals, Heads of Services, Clinical Teams and managers, to provide effective adult safeguarding.
• Advise on the management, supervision and performance of social work activity in keeping with good professional practice and subject to agreed policy directives and priorities.
• Ensure staff are fully briefed on the Assisted Decision-Making Act 2015 and on its relevance to Clinical practise.
• Champion quality initiatives and service improvement programmes in the area of adult safeguarding.
• Develop and promote integrated and person-centred models of service delivery with relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure the implementation of current and proposed legislation, policies and procedures, guidelines and protocols.
• Ensure anti-discriminatory practice and cultural competence, at individual and service levels.
• Seek the development of fair and equitable social policy in the area of adult safeguarding.
• Contribute to development of adult safeguarding services to meet current and emerging trends and unmet needs.
• Facilitate clear channels of communication to relevant management structures in relation to adult safeguarding service and allied issues.
• Ensure that social work and adult safeguarding services value diversity and respect in the workplace.
• Ensure the provision of appropriate supervision to staff as required.
• Avail of appropriate supervision to ensure own ongoing competency to supervise other staff as well as advancing own professional development.
• Contribute as a team member to a range of activities undertaken by MUH.
• Ensure compliance with a high standard of documentation and file management in accordance with local guidelines and relevant legislation (i.e. FOI, Data Protection, Parliamentary Data/Reports).
• Participate in the development and review of strategic and operational plans within MUH.
• Provide data/reports on adult safeguarding and related topics in a consistent and high-quality format.

Education & Training:

• Maintain standards of practice and levels of professional knowledge by participating in continuous professional development initiatives and attendance at courses as appropriate.
• Act as a resource by participating in the education and training of colleagues and other health care professionals as required.
• Oversee the provision of an education framework for the promotion of staff development and training in adult safeguarding and assisted decision making.
• Contribute to recommendations regarding the ongoing education, mentoring, training and in-service needs of health and social care staff across MUH.
• Build and communicate an understanding of the role of adult safeguarding within MUH.

Management:

• Report and advise on resource requirements for their area of responsibility.
• Actively contribute to the implementation of the revised National Policy Framework for Adult Safeguarding and ADMCA.
• Keep updated on current and impending legislation and the perceived impact on practice.
• Keep up to date on developments in national policies, practices and strategies and international best practice.
• Keep up to date with national and organisational developments within the Irish Health Service.
• Ensure service delivery corresponds to best national and international practice.
• Contribute to the development of policies, procedures and guidelines in relation to the social work service, engaging staff as appropriate.
• Participate in and contribute to service planning and development.
• Contribute to MUH service delivery reports as required, e.g. service plan and annual report.
• Ensure that there are appropriate systems in place to gather relevant information.
• Oversee service user and data confidentiality. Collaborate with MUH management in developing the role of the Senior Medical Social Worker through planning, audit, production of standards, continuing education, quality improvement initiatives and research.
• Contribute to efficient and effective use of developments in IT.

Eligibility Criteria - Professional Qualifications and/or Experience. Candidates must have at the latest date of application:

• Be registered on the Social Workers Register maintained by the Social Workers Registration Board at CORU. Practitioners must maintain Annual Registration on the Social Workers Register maintained by the Social Workers Registration Board at CORU. Annual Registration with CORU to the HSE must be confirmed by way of the annual Patient Safety Assurance Certificate (PSAC).
• Have 3 years' relevant post-qualification experience.
• Have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability, professional and managerial ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.

Full Job Spec is available on request.

Closing Date: 1pm on Wednesday, 21st October 2026.

MUH reserves the right to create a panel for this post from which permanent, fixed term and specified purpose vacancies of a full or part time duration may be filled.

Please note: This position may, in the future, require employees to work a 5-over-7 Roster, including weekends, with a shift scheduled form 8.00am to 8.00pm, subject to operational requirements.

Mercy University Hospital (MUH)

MUH is a growing voluntary hospital in the heart of Cork City. We have over 1,800 staff providing complex diagnostic, medical and surgical care through our inpatient, day patient, outpatient and emergency services.

We are a teaching hospital, a centre of national and international excellence, and are renowned for our research and tertiary services.

Providing 24/7 acute surgical, acute medical and critical care, MUH now has multiple sites across the city and continues to expand. We recently opened our Blarney Rehabilitation Unit, a post-acute care specialist rehabilitation unit with 50 beds in Blarney, County Cork.

We support staff development with approx. 100 promotions annually. We prioritise work life balance with 28% of our team working part time hours. We offer nationally agreed enhanced Salary Scales, Pension Scheme, excellent holidays, canteen, and Study Leave and Assistance.

From Cardiac Care to Intensive Care, our varied specialist services offer real career choice to our team.

We live by our Core Values of Compassion, Excellence, Justice, Respect and Team Spirit.