Social Worker

Job Description

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Doctors with Africa CUAMM operates in Sierra Leone since 2012, its mission is to enhance access to quality primary and secondary health care with a specific attention to maternal and child health care by using the network of CHWs as well, nutrition, communicable and non-communicable diseases’ prevention, diagnostic and treatment services.

Doctors with Africa CUAMM works to save lives by combating hunger and diseases that threaten the lives of vulnerable communities, through nutrition, food security, water and sanitation, health and advocacy.

Job title: Social Worker (1)

Duty Station: Pujehun NCD Clinic- Pujehun.

Department: program

Reporting to: Clinic Coordinator / Project Manager

Contract type: Fixed-term contract (6 months), with 3 months’ probation period, with possibility of renewal based on available funds and performance.

Summary of the Position:

The Social Worker at the NCD Clinic is central to patient-centred care, addressing the social and economic needs of patients with non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This role is part of the new PEN-Plus cycle, emphasizing patient-centred care to improve treatment adherence, reduce missed appointments, and ensure continuity of care. The Social Worker will track and address social determinants of health, provide economic support to vulnerable patients, and enhance retention in care through comprehensive support services.

The main responsibilities are:

1. Patient-Centered Care and Social Protection

• Develop and implement criteria for social protection and retention measures, focusing on minimizing out-of-pocket costs.
• Oversee and coordinate social support services, including peer support, to facilitate patient access to care.
• Collaborate with Partners in Health (PIH) to develop a standardized tool for screening patients for socioeconomic vulnerability.
• Use this tool to determine support packages and stages based on patient needs, disease type, district, and age.
• Manage requests for additional economic support by coordinating with the Clinic Coordinator and other departments (e.g., Maternity ward, blood bank) when necessary.

2. Patient Retention and Follow-Up

• Implement a robust system to track missed appointments and follow up promptly to ensure patients return to care, in coordination with the M&E Coordinator and clinical team.
• Conduct home visits for the most vulnerable patients, especially those facing barriers to accessing the clinic, focusing initially on Pujehun town, with potential for expansion if funding permits.
• Address issues related to missed school or workdays due to patient health, working with patients, families, and employers/schools to find solutions that promote adherence.

3. Collaboration and Coordination with Peer Support Initiatives

• Serve as the coordinator for patient peer supporters, ensuring patients have access to community-based networks that encourage treatment adherence and mutual aid.
• Collaborate with Community Health Workers (CHWs) to link specific patients (particularly those with Pen Plus conditions) to designated CHWs, facilitating follow-up care within the community and enabling timely treatment feedback from patients in the communities.
• Actively engage with peer support groups to align their activities with the clinic’s patient-centred goals.

4. Comprehensive Case Management for Social Needs

• Provide case management plans for complex social cases, including patients with severe NCDs who may lack food, housing, or other essentials.
• Work with clinicians and team members to meet patient social needs alongside medical treatment.
• Assist patients in obtaining prescribed medications, facilitating prescriptions as needed, and liaising with pharmacies or support services to ensure affordability.

5. Collaboration with Other Projects and Funding Partners

• Identify opportunities to collaborate with other projects (e.g. Malnutrition, PMB etc., ) to leverage resources for patient support.
• Engage in inter-program coordination to optimize available support services and strengthen patient-centred care in the clinic.

General Duties

• Work closely with clinicians and healthcare staff to understand and address the comprehensive needs of patients.
• Maintain up-to-date records of patient interactions, economic support provided, and retention outcomes.
• Participate in regular training, coordination meetings, and discussions to align with project objectives and provide insights for patient-centred improvements.
• To take up any other responsibilities as assigned by the management.

Qualification as Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Sociology, Public Health, or a related field.
• Proven experience working in a healthcare setting, ideally with a focus on vulnerable or NCD patient populations.
• Strong interpersonal skills, empathy, and cultural sensitivity.
• Ability to work collaboratively with clinical teams, administrative staff, and community organizations.
• Proficiency in data management for tracking and reporting patient outcomes.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.

• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, verbal and written communication skills.
• Fluency in English.
• Flexible, and have the ability to cope with stressful situations.
• Experience in working with computerized systems, standard spreadsheet and database programs.
• Ability to read, analyse, and interpret technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Previous work with INGOs is considered a preferable asset.

Having clinical background is an asset

How to apply 

• Interested candidates should apply by email attaching CV + cover letter ONLY (preferably as a single attachment) to sierraleonehr@cuamm.org, not later than  15 November, 2024 at , 5:00pm.
  The subject of the email should be APPLICATION FOR  SOCIAL WORKER -Pujehun  and the attachments should be saved with the applicant’s full name.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for a written test and an interview at the CUAMM head office. 
• Female applicants are encouraged to apply.