general social work
Employment Type: Temporary Part Time until September 2026
Position Classification: Social Worker Level 1/2
Remuneration: $40.05 - $57.14 Per Hour + Super
Hours Per Week: 20
Requisition ID: REQ699441
Location: Armidale Hospital
Closing Date: Sunday 08 November 2026
Make a meaningful difference. Grow your social work career.
Are you a compassionate and motivated Social Worker looking to make a real difference in the lives of patients and their families? Join the supportive Social Work team at Armidale Hospital, where you can develop your clinical skills, build your confidence and help people navigate challenging times.
About the team
You’ll join a friendly, experienced and well-respected Social Work team working alongside fellow Social Workers and Aboriginal Health Workers to support patients across Armidale Hospital.
Working primarily across the Medical and Surgical wards, you’ll collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to provide person-centred care, advocate for patients and facilitate safe, timely hospital discharge.
This is a part-time opportunity shared with another Social Worker, with both positions working together to provide full-time coverage across the wards.
About the role
As a Generalist Social Worker (Level 1/2), you’ll have the opportunity to apply and develop your social work skills across a diverse range of clinical presentations. You’ll play an important role in helping patients and families navigate complex health and community systems, access essential supports and achieve positive outcomes.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Conducting psychosocial assessments and identifying patients’ support needs.
- Supporting safe and timely discharge planning and care coordination.
- Advocating for patients and liaising with external services, including the NDIS, aged care and guardianship services.
- Collaborating with medical, nursing, allied health and Aboriginal Health colleagues to deliver holistic, person-centred care.
- Supporting patients and families to navigate complex circumstances and connect with appropriate community resources.
- Contributing to clinical problem-solving and risk management.
You must be able to work Monday, Tuesday and a half day on Wednesday or be able to have flexible hours on those days.
This role offers excellent variety and the opportunity to gain valuable experience across acute hospital social work, while building your knowledge of discharge planning, clinical risk assessment and community referral pathways.
About you
We’re looking for a compassionate and adaptable Social Worker who is passionate about supporting patients and families during challenging times.
You’ll bring:
- A person-centred approach, with empathy and respect for the individual needs of patients and families.
- Strong communication, interpersonal and advocacy skills.
- Effective organisational skills, including the ability to prioritise competing demands.
- A proactive approach to problem-solving and a willingness to learn.
- The ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- An understanding of social work values and ethical practice, with a commitment to reflective practice, supervision and ongoing professional development.
- Hold a cureent NSW Driver's License
Previous acute hospital social work experience is not essential. If you’re keen to learn, develop your clinical skills and broaden your understanding of health and community services, you’ll be supported to grow in the role.
Essential Criteria
- Must hold as a minimum a bachelor degree in social work which provides eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers, or other qualification deemed equivalent by the employer
How you’ll be supported
You’ll be joining a stable and supportive team that values collaboration, learning and professional growth. This is an excellent opportunity for new graduates and Level 1/2 Social Workers to develop their skills while gaining exposure to a broad range of referrals and clinical presentations.
You’ll benefit from:
- Day-to-day guidance and support from experienced Social Work colleagues.
- Mandatory professional supervision to support your clinical practice and development.
- Opportunities to broaden your experience across different hospital areas as required.
- Support to build your knowledge of hospital processes, discharge planning, NDIS and aged care systems, and community referral pathways.
- A collaborative team environment where you can ask questions, share knowledge and continue building your confidence.
What we Offer
Professional development opportunities
Work hours flexibility discussions
A team of social workers to mentor you
Supervision regularly formally and informally Dailey
Employment opportunities such as salary sacrifice available
How to apply:
Click apply online, submit your information and resume, and address the criteria listed below providing examples that demonstrate your ability.
Demonstrated effective verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to effectively manage time and set priorities.
Demonstrated commitment to professional development, evidence based practice and continuous improvement.
Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a multidisciplinary team
Why join Hunter New England Health?
- Be part of one of the largest and most diverse Local Health Districts in NSW
- Influence digital solutions that directly support patient care and clinical outcomes
- Salary packaging options
- Work collaboratively with passionate clinicians and digital health professionals
- Enjoy career development opportunities within NSW Health
- Make a real difference across a large, complex health service
- Fitness Passport for you and your family
What you'll be doing
Provide a high quality clinical service to patients and their families/carers, to ensure the provision of optimal health outcomes for patients of the service.
Need more information?
1) Click here for the Position Description
2) Find out more about applying for this position
For role related queries or questions contact Fiona Ord on Fiona.Ord@health.nsw.gov.au
Information for Applicants:
Applicants will be assessed against the essential requirements and selection criteria contained within the position description (link below). For assistance addressing selection criteria visit: https://bit.ly/3vL5fq2
Stepping Up Website is a resource designed to help indigenous job applicants apply for positions in NSW Health. For more information, please visit: https://bit.ly/HNEHealthSteppingUp
This is a Category A position. Recommended applicants will be reviewed for compliance with NSW Health policy directive PD2024_015: Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination against Specified Infectious Diseases for Category A positions prior to offer. All new employees must agree to comply with the requirements outlined in the policy.
Salary Packaging: is beneficial to most Hunter New England Health employees and may increase your take-home pay! Salary package a range of personal expenses including novated motor vehicle leases, relocation expenses, and HECS/HELP debt. Find out more by contacting SalaryPackagingPLUS! via nswhealth@salarypackagingplus.com.au or 1300 40 25 23.
To be eligible for permanent employment in this position you must be an Australian Citizen, or a permanent resident of Australia, or a New Zealand citizen with a current New Zealand Passport. Employment of a temporary visa holder may only occur if no suitable local candidate is identified for the position; in this instance, you may only be offered employment in line with the conditions and expiry date of your visa.
We are unable to accommodate visa sponsorship for applicants requiring a visa for this position.
At Hunter New England Local Health District, we are an inclusive employer dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace. Our commitment to a workforce that reflects the community we care for is essential for delivering the highest quality healthcare to our community. We encourage people with diverse lived experiences to apply. If you require any accommodations or adjustments to the recruitment process please let us know when you apply or at any stage of the process. We will work with you to meet your needs and create the best possible experience. Please contact hnelhd-diversity@health.nsw.gov.au for confidential support to ensure an equitable, barrier-free application process.
Hunter New England Health employees may be eligible for a range of benefits such as allocated days off (ADO) for full time employees, long service leave, paid maternity leave, and salary packaging options including meal expenses.
Hunter New England Health is dedicated to fostering a child-safe environment that respects and upholds the rights of children and young people, aligned with NSW Health’s commitment to implementing the Child Safe Standards. We aim to ensure that children and young people feel safe, supported, and included in their care. All current and prospective staff are expected to prioritise the safety, welfare, and well-being of children and young people, actively working to protect them from harm and abuse.
An eligibility list will be created for future temporary part time vacancies.
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