Senior Principal Medical Social Worker at Kenyatta National Hospital

REF. NUMBER, KNH/EX/SPMSW/10/32 (1 POST)
Job Purpose

• An officer at this level will be responsible to the Director, Medical Services in the provision of Medical Social Work Services in the Hospital.

Duties & Responsibilities.

• Oversee Development, implementation and review of Medical Social work policies, guidelines, standards and procedures;
• Lead in conducting research and disseminating findings on medical social work and planning to the Hospital and the stakeholders;
• Provide leadership and mentorship to Medical social workers in the hospital and interns
• Overs direct Supervision, control, training and development of staff;
• Oversee the overall coordination of social work services in the hospital;
• Design programs and guidelines to address client’s psychosocial problems;
• Organize, plan and coordinate training of staff and students deployed in the ;
• Plan and budget for social work activities;
• Oversee performance management activities;
• Create linkages and networking with related agencies and develop partnerships, collaborations and Memorandum of understanding (MOU’s) with partnering and potential institutions in liaison with the hospital management;
• Liaising with stakeholders in creating awareness of patient’s psychosocial needs and soliciting for relevant support;
• Assign duties to staff in the unit;;
• Implementing Policies on rehabilitation and treatment of patients;
• Participate in staff, recruitment and performance management;
• Participate in hospital committee meetings as appropriate;
• Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual departmental reports;
• Participate in development of the Departmental Annual Work plan;
• Negotiate and sign personnel performance contract and develop suitable targets;
• Convene departmental monthly meetings with staff and ensure implementation of its recommendations;
• Assess and make decisions on complicated cases;
• Carry out continuous review of documented policies and ensure they are up to date with hospital and national standards;
• Develop project proposals and source for funds to support the department functions in meeting the patient’s needs.

Qualification & Experience

• Bachelors’ degree in any of the following disciplines; Sociology, Social Work, Psychology, Mental Health, Counselling, Anthropology or its equivalent qualification from a recognized institution;
• Master’s degree in any of the following disciplines; Social Work, Sociology, Social
• Psychology, Mental Health, Counselling, Anthropology or its equivalent qualification from a recognized institution;
• Minimum eight (8) years relevant experience with at least three (3) years’ experience in a supervisory capacity;
• Registration with Kenya Medical Social Workers Association;
• Certificate in Leadership/Management course lasting not less than four (4) weeks from a recognized institution;
• Valid practicing certificate from the professional body; and
•  Proficiency in computer applications.