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.

Position Overview

• Permanent, part time 64 hours per fortnight

This role will work 2 days per week in the complex care program. Complex Care is a model of care to support our chronic and most complex medical patients.

There will also be the opportunity to work 2 days per week in other programs across the Social Work department as required (admitted and non-admitted).

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
• 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
• All candidates require Australian working rights.

• Australian Drivers Licence

What we offer

You will enjoy benefits such as:

• Excellent salary packaging options including meals & entertainment, novated leasing and additional superannuation contributions.
• Internal and external professional development opportunities.
• 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.
• 5 weeks annual leave
• Annual skills incentive bonus of up to $1000
• Dedicated Allied Health Assistants for the Social Work and Counselling team
• Excellent terms and conditions of employment.

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. Learn more about SWH here.

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.

SWH is the major specialist referral centre for the Barwon South West sub-region, and provides a comprehensive range of acute, sub-acute, specialist, community, mental health and aged services.

With a population of 39,000 and a catchment of 100,000 Warrnambool is the regional centre to Victoria’s Great South Coast.

To learn about the vibrant town and region please visit: http://www.warrnambool.com/

How to apply

Submit your application by selecting the Apply button below and include a cover letter and resume by Sunday 17 December 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 of [email protected] 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

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