Principal Medical Social Worker

Position: Principal Medical Social Worker

Department: Medical Social Work

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Job Description:

The Principal Medical Social Worker delivers advanced psychiatric social work services and provides clinical, supervisory, programme, and service leadership in a complex healthcare environment. The role enhances service excellence through education, interprofessional training, and research, driving knowledge translation to improve practice and address system needs. It also leads the development and delivery of safe, effective, and innovative services, oversees designated clinical operations, and supports institutional and cluster priorities in service development and performance.

Job Responsibilities:

Clinical Leadership & Service Excellence

• Manage a clinical caseload comprising inpatient and outpatient cases, providing assessment, intervention, care coordination, and discharge planning for patients and families.
• Provide expert consultation and clinical leadership for complex, high-risk, and specialised cases.
• Drive quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient care outcomes, service standards, and operational effectiveness.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver safe, person-centred, and evidence-based care.

Team Leadership & Staff Development

• Lead, supervise, and support a team of Medical Social Workers and Social Work Assistants/Associates.
• Oversee staff onboarding, orientation, supervision, and professional development.
• Conduct performance appraisals and provide coaching to strengthen clinical competencies and service delivery.
• Ensure effective deployment of resources and appropriate service coverage across the team.

Programme & Service Management

• Lead the planning, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of social work programmes and services.
• Oversee key service areas such as caregiver support programmes, group interventions, staff development initiatives, and service innovation projects.
• Monitor programme outcomes and recommend enhancements to meet evolving patient and organisational needs.
• Contribute to departmental, divisional, and organisational strategic objectives.

Education & Capability Building

• Develop and deliver training programmes, workshops, and educational sessions for healthcare professionals and social work practitioners.
• Mentor and support staff, students, and clinical educators to strengthen professional practice.
• Review and enhance training curricula, competency frameworks, and assessment processes to ensure workforce readiness.

Research, Innovation & Practice Development

• Initiate, lead, or participate in research, service evaluation, and innovation projects.
• Translate research findings into practice improvements, care models, and service enhancements.
• Support staff involvement in research activities and promote evidence-based practice.
• Present and share professional knowledge through publications, conferences, and professional forums.

Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration

• Build strong partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to improve service delivery and patient outcomes.
• Lead inter-professional and cross-departmental initiatives to address emerging healthcare and social care needs.
• Provide expert advice on complex psychosocial, ethical, and service-related issues.

Strategic & Organisational Leadership

• Contribute to service planning, policy development, and organisational transformation initiatives.
• Support the Head of Department in operational and strategic responsibilities, including deputising when required.
• Participate in organisational committees, taskforces, emergency preparedness activities, and other strategic projects as assigned

Requirements:

Competency

• Strong leadership and change management skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities
• Financial management and budget oversight experience
• Quality improvement and project management expertise
• Proficiency in information technology and data management systems

Educational and Professional Requirements

1. Degree or postgraduate qualifications in social work, recognized by appropriate professional bodies
2. Minimum 10 to 15 years of progressive clinical experience with demonstrated leadership capabilities
3. Administrative and managerial competency with proven track record in team leadership
4. Clinical and supervisory competency with current knowledge of best practices
5. Maintenance of continuing professional development requirements
6. Demonstrated commitment to professional standards and ethical practice

Appointment to the Head role may be offered to incumbents who have been formally assessed and deemed capable of fulfilling the responsibilities and expectations of the position.

About IMH: 

The Institute of Mental Health (IMH) in Singapore, established in 1928, is a premier 2,000-bed psychiatric hospital nestled in Buangkok Green Medical Park, providing comprehensive mental health services across 50 inpatient wards and 7 outpatient clinics, while also playing a pivotal role in training the next generation of mental health professionals through the NHG-AHPL Residency Programme and collaborations with local academic institutions.