Social Worker

• Fixed term 14 weeks August – November at Braeside Hospital
• Full-time or part-time job share opportunity
• NSW Health Affiliated Health Organisation - continuity of NSW Health entitlements.

About HammondCare

HammondCare is an independent Christian charity that exists to improve the quality of life for people with complex health or aged care needs, regardless of their circumstances. We specialise in rehabilitation, palliative care, older persons' mental health, aged and dementia care, and other related services.  HammondCare’s sub-acute hospitals are located at Prairiewood, Greenwich and Wahroonga, with community palliative care services across SWSLHD and NSLHD.

Hammond Care is a NSW Health Affiliated Health Organisation (AHO) providing recognition and continuity of transferable NSW Health staff entitlements, as well as Not-For-Profit salary packaging advantages.  HammondCare seeks to embed evidence-based best practices in all its services. HammondCare works to provide its staff with support, education, responsibility and recognition, work / life balance, and satisfying roles.

About the role

This fixed term locum position is based at Braeside Hospital in Prairiewood, commencing from early August 2025 until mid-November 2025, with the possibility of extension depending on service needs. Full-time is available but part-time job share will also be considered. There is no closing date and interviews will commence as soon as possible.

This Level 1-2 Social Worker role will provide comprehensive Social Work services across the different areas of our hospital and health care services including rehabilitation, palliative care and older persons mental health.  Experience in a hospital or related health care environment is required, with preference for NSW Health experience.  Flexibility and excellent time management skills are essential. HammondCare is a NSW Health Affiliated Health Organisation so all NSW Health requirements for immunisation and vaccination clearance must be met for employment.    

The Braeside Hospital catchment supports clients from a highly diverse cultural and linguistic environment, with SWSLHD having more than 55% of people speaking languages other than English at home.  An aptitude for working with diverse complex client populations is essential. 

The role of the Level 1/ 2 Social Worker is to work within the Mission and Mission in Action of HammondCare to ensure a high standard of Social Work service is provided to patients of the Hospital and health care services, along with appropriate support to their carers. The Social Worker will participate as a member of the multi-disciplinary team to ensure a patient-centred, evidence-based, continuous quality improvement work environment that is consistent with the values and ethics of HammondCare and the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). HammondCare’s focus is on enhancing the quality of life of our clients, with a holistic approach that respects diversity, and embraces physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual and practical issues.

The essence of this role

• Provide skilled, effective and timely Social Work services and interventions to patients, including appropriate support and advice to their carer/s and family.
• Participate as a member of the multi-disciplinary team in assessing patients’ needs, setting collaborative care goals and providing appropriate and timely social work interventions.
• Co-ordinate complex discharge planning and collaborate with Multi-Disciplinary Team and other staff to facilitate timely discharge with appropriate supports. 
• Ensure clear, concise and timely documentation in the Electronic Medical Record and effective communication of information and plans to the Multi-Disciplinary Team. 
• Collaborate with the Social Work team to ensure triage, prioritisation and completion of Social Work referrals across the services, communicating timing to the referral source.
• Ensure compliance with patient privacy and confidentiality, Policies / Procedures / Guidelines and relevant legislation.   

About you

Please briefly address the individual criteria under headings, in your application.  

Essential Criteria

• Recognised tertiary qualification in Social Work with eligibility for AASW membership. Overseas qualifications must provide AASW Overseas Assessment number. Current working rights for Australia i.e. citizenship, permanent residency or working visa.
• Commitment to engage and align with HammondCare’s Mission in Action.
• Experience in a hospital or health care environment, preferably including rehabilitation, palliative care / life limiting illness or mental health services.
• Experience providing a wide range of Social Work interventions including psychosocial assessment, information provision, advocacy, supportive counselling, complex discharge planning etc.
• Ability and flexibility to work effectively within different multi-disciplinary team environments, within a small social work team, as well as independently as required. 
• Strong, clear, interpersonal and communication skills (verbal, written and digital) across a range of stakeholders, including patients, carers and staff, including culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
• Self-motivated and effective skills in time management, organisation, and managing competing demands in a busy environment.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience in the use of NSW Health Electronic Medical Record (EMR) or similar  
• Bilingual and / or experience working with culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
• Current NSW Health immunisation screening and vaccination clearance.

HammondCare is a NSW Health affiliated organisation, all NSW Health transferrable entitlements will be recognised.

Further information: Lynn Shaw (Manager Social Work Services) on lshaw@hammond.com.au

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All applications must address the selection criteria (under headings) in addition to the CV.

Free independent confidential counselling services, wellbeing resources and webinars available through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for you and your family. HammondCare is committed to providing an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity and inclusion. We thrive on creating and equal employment environment where everyone from any background can be themselves.

All short-listed applicants for these positions will be asked to consent to a criminal record check, immunisation staff screening and vaccination compliance checks.