Social Worker - Hospital (Acute/Subacute)

Located on the beautiful Great South Coast, South West Healthcare offers a comprehensive range of medical, surgical and psychiatric services. The organisation serves a catchment in excess of 110,000 and comprises of a total of 282 beds and an extensive range of primary and community services. Warrnambool boasts excellent sporting, education (pre-school to university), social and cultural facilities. The city’s award winning foreshore promenade is a 5.7km path that stretches from the breakwater along the coastline to the Hopkins River mouth.
Job Details
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Department: South West Healthcare
Work Type: Ongoing - full time
Job Function: Health and Allied Health
Classification: As per award
Work Location: Warrnambool
Reference: VG/1723192
Closing Date: 12-Jun-2023
Salary Range: As per award
Job Duration: N/A
Attachments: Position Description - Social Worker Grade 1.pdf (PDF, 490KB)


Position Description - Social Worker Grade 2.pdf (PDF, 705KB)


Contact: Natalie Jeremias (Manager)
njeremias@swh.net.au

Position Details

 About the role

We are looking for a Social Worker who is seeking an excellent work life balance in the beautiful region of Warrnambool. South West Healthcare's Social Work and Counselling team provides Social Work services to clients (including outpatients, acute and subacute inpatients) and their families, to assist them to cope with the effects of illness, grief and loss, trauma and difficult life events.

You will be part of a friendly multi-disciplinary team and provide ongoing clinical assessments and targeted interventions including risk assessments, grief and loss counselling, adjustment to illness and coping skills, referrals and collaboration with internal and external services. You will be working with both children and adults depending on the identified need.

This role will work across the acute and subacute wards at Warrnambool Base Hospital with the opportunity to have a rotation into community rehabilitation programs as required.

Both part-time and full-time applications are encouraged.

Scope of Social Work practice includes:

  • Assessments – psycho-social assessments, risk assessments around family violence, elder abuse and exploitation
  • Counselling, mediation and therapeutic interventions including supporting patients and their families to adjust to diagnosis, trauma and emotional responses to illness and treatment.
  • Support children who are experiencing chronic and/or severe medical conditions and help families understand their child's diagnosis and possible reaction
  • Grief, loss and bereavement support
  • Mediation and conflict resolution and advocating for individuals and their families/carers
  • Referrals and collaboration with internal and external services to meet patients and family's needs

What you bring

  • An Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) accredited Bachelor Degree or entry level Master's Degree of Social Work that provides eligibility for membership of the AASW.
  • Excellent communication skills, exhibit ethical and professional responsibility, have a high level of clinical assessment and intervention skills preferably within the public health sector 
  • Skills in psycho-social assessments, problem solving, communication as well as counselling interventions.
  • Candidates with experience in health sector preferred
  • All candidates require Australian working rights.
  • Demonstrate a proven ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team
  • Commitment to Professional Development - Education, quality improvement and evidence based practices will be your key drivers.
  • Working with children's check
  • Australian Drivers Licence

What we offer

You will enjoy benefits such as:

  • Salary between $32 - $48 per hour depending on qualifications and experience (excluding superannuation)
  • Excellent salary packaging options including meals & entertainment, novated leasing and additional superannuation contributions;
  • Internal and external professional development opportunities;
  • 5 weeks annual leave
  • Ongoing clinical supervision including group supervision and reflective practice;
  • A range of internal development opportunities focusing on personal development such as resilience and mentoring workshops and comprehensive leadership programs;
  • Excellent terms and conditions of employment;
  • Annual skills incentive bonus of up to $1000
  • Dedicated Allied Health Assistants for the Social Work and Counselling team

Who we are

As an organisation SWH prides themselves on their values; Care, Respect, Excellence, Integrity and Leadership and their overall dedication to the local community.

SWH respects all individuals and promote equity and inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people of all genders, sexual orientations, abilities, ages, racial, cultural and religious backgrounds and socio- economic status.

How to apply

Submit your application by selecting the Apply button and include a cover letter and resume by Monday 12 June 2023. Please ensure you address the selection criteria as outlined in the position description.

If you would like any further information or to discuss the role please contact Natalie Jeremias – Social Work and Counselling Manager on njeremias@swh.net.au or 03 5563 4358.

Employment Terms and Conditions will be in line with the Allied Health Professionals (Victorian Public Sector) (Single Interest Employers) Enterprise Agreement 2021 - 2026, with the appropriate classification Social Worker Grade 1/2.

The successful applicant will be required to be eligible for and undergo the following:

  • Police Record Check
  • Employee Working with Children's Check
  • Current Immunisation status

Note: If you experience any difficulties with this website, please email: humanresources@swh.net.au


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