How long have you been in current your role?
I've been in this role for four years.
Summarise your job scope in 1-2 sentences.
As Medical Social Workers, our role encompasses assisting patients and their families with psychosocial and discharge planning needs, facilitating timely assessments and interventions to help them cope with medical conditions and the resultant life changes, and ensuring a seamless transition from hospital to community.
We also conduct risk assessments and collaborate with patients and families on safety plans for issues like suicide attempts, self-harm, family violence, and abuse. Additionally, we assess and administer financial assistance for patients struggling to afford medical bills, aiming to ensure continuous access to healthcare, reduce admission rates, and support aging in the community.
Most importantly, we work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to provide holistic care.
What led you to choose a career in healthcare?
My passion for pursuing a career in healthcare was largely shaped by my family’s influence. Growing up surrounded by family members in healthcare professions, I recalled being intrigued by their stories of touching lives and making a difference for patients and their families. Those conversations ignite a desire in me to follow their footsteps.
What keeps you motivated at work?
What I find most rewarding about my role as a Medical Social Worker is the chance to forge genuine connections with patients and their families. It's a privilege to accompany them on their medical journey, sharing in their vulnerabilities, celebrating their triumphs, and affirming their strengths. Witnessing their resilience as they navigate their health conditions and the associated life changes is incredibly inspiring and keeps me motivated every day.
What aspect of your job do you think is often misunderstood?
One misconception is that social workers are often mistaken for volunteers. While volunteers play a valuable role, it's important to recognise that social workers are trained professionals with specific skills to assess and provide interventions for patients and their families.
Could you share a memorable moment from your time in healthcare?
During my time in healthcare, a particularly memorable moment occurred while working with the Medical Social Work team at the Covid Treatment Facility (CTF). We introduced a horticulture program aimed at supporting the psycho-emotional well-being of patients. One impactful aspect of this program was encouraging patients to write notes of encouragement for those who would arrive at the CTF after them. This simple activity served as a powerful reminder that patients can not only receive help but also offer support and comfort to others facing similar challenges.
What did you decide to join WH?
Although I was assigned to join WH through the MOHH scholarship programme, I find the integration of acute and community hospitals within the same building at WH to be particularly unique.
Having witnessed firsthand the challenges patients and their families face when transitioning between hospitals for necessary care and rehabilitation, as well as the distress often associated with hospital admissions, WH's holistic care approach strongly resonates with my belief in the importance of minimising stress in healthcare experiences and promoting continuity of care.
If you are interested in contributing to the healthcare sector, join us! View our openings and apply at
www.wh.com.sg/join-us. 
