Generalist Senior Social Worker

Employment Type: Permanent Part Time
Position Classification: Social Worker Level 3
Remuneration: $61.31 - $63.30 Per Hour + Super 
Hours Per Week: 19
Requisition ID: REQ697514
Location: The Maitland Hospital
Closing Date: Sunday 08 November 2026
 

Lead with purpose. Empower others. Change lives

Take your social work career to the next level at Maitland Hospital, where you’ll tackle complex cases, mentor fellow clinicians and make a real difference in the lives of patients and families. Join a supportive team where your expertise, leadership and compassion can truly shine!

About the Team 

This position is based at Maitland Hospital, a modern healthcare facility located in the beautiful Lower Hunter region of New South Wales. Maitland offers the benefits of a growing regional city, with easy access to Newcastle, the Hunter Valley and surrounding communities.

The successful applicant will join the Maitland Hospital Social Work Service, a supportive and experienced team that delivers a diverse range of social work services across multiple clinical areas, including the Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Surgical Wards, Medical Wards, Maternity Services, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and Paediatrics.

This role works as part of a dynamic multidisciplinary team, collaborating closely with medical, nursing and allied health colleagues to provide holistic, patient-centred care. The position also maintains strong links with the broader Lower Hunter Social Work Services, working collaboratively with social work teams across Cessnock, Kurri Kurri and Community Health services to support continuity of care and positive outcomes for patients and their families.

About the Role

This is an exciting and varied senior social work position based within the Maitland Hospital Social Work Service. The role combines a clinical caseload with opportunities to provide mentoring, support and education to new staff members and clinicians who are developing their social work practice.

The successful applicant will:

• Work with patients across a range of inpatient areas, including those identified as long-stay patients who may require complex discharge planning, guardianship or financial management applications through NCAT, and coordination of supports through the NDIS.

• Work collaboratively with patients, families, multidisciplinary teams and external service providers, the role plays a key part in facilitating safe and effective transitions of care.

• Manage complex clinical presentations, the successful candidate will have opportunities to further develop their skills, knowledge and experience across a range of specialty areas, including the Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and other clinical services within the hospital.

As a senior clinician, the role contributes to service development, supports quality patient outcomes and promotes excellence in social work practice through leadership, consultation and professional support to colleagues.

The position reports to the Site Senior Social Worker and works closely with social work colleagues across Maitland Hospital and the broader Lower Hunter network. At times, the role may also provide backfill support for the weekend social work roster, contributing to the continuity of social work services across the facility.

This role is well suited to a motivated and adaptable social worker who enjoys balancing complex clinical work with leadership, mentoring and service development responsibilities.

About You 

The ideal candidate is an experienced and adaptable social worker who is passionate about delivering high-quality patient care and supporting the development of others. They will be a confident clinician who enjoys working in a fast-paced hospital environment and is able to balance complex clinical work with leadership, mentoring and service improvement responsibilities.

You will have: 

• Minimum of three years' postgraduate social work experience, preferably within a hospital, health or complex care setting.

• Demonstrated ability to manage a clinical caseload and work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.

• Excellent communication, assessment and care coordination skills.

• Current driver's licence and the ability to travel across service locations if required.

Essential Criteria 

• Must hold 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 will be Supported

The successful candidate will be well supported through a structured orientation, supervision and professional development framework designed to promote both clinical excellence and career growth.

Upon commencement, the successful applicant will participate in orientation to Maitland Hospital, including introduction to key clinical areas, ward-based processes and local service networks. This will assist them to confidently integrate into the hospital and social work team.

Ongoing support will be provided through:

• Professional supervision in accordance with the Hunter New England Local Health District Supervision Policy.

• Monthly line management meetings with the Site Senior Social Worker.

• Access to mandatory and professional development training through My Health Learning.

• Opportunities to participate in health service-led education programs, workshops and multidisciplinary learning activities.

• Support to attend conferences and external professional development opportunities relevant to the clinician's workload and areas of practice.

• Access to peer support and collaboration within the Maitland Hospital Social Work team and the broader Lower Hunter Social Work network.

This role offers a supportive learning environment where clinicians are encouraged to continually develop their skills, knowledge and expertise across a variety of hospital settings, while being supported by experienced social work leaders and colleagues.

What we can Offer

Maitland Hospital Social Work Service offers a supportive and flexible workplace that values staff.

Some of the benefits of joining our team include:

• Flexible work arrangements where operationally appropriate, supporting work-life balance

• A modern workplace within the recently redeveloped Maitland Hospital, providing contemporary facilities and workspaces.

• A strong and supportive team culture, with opportunities to participate in team events, celebrations and initiatives, including World Social Work Day activities and other professional and social events.Study leave and professional development support for education and training relevant to your clinical practice and service needs.

This role offers the opportunity to work in a dynamic and rewarding healthcare environment where no two days are the same. You will be part of a collaborative team committed to delivering high-quality patient care while supporting staff to develop their skills, expertise and career pathways within NSW Health

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

How to apply: 

Click apply online, submit your information and resume, and address the criteria listed below providing examples that demonstrate your ability.

• Demonstrated high level verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to adapt communication style to suit different audiences.

• Demonstrated ability to independently problem-solve and apply professional and ethical boundaries when working with complex situations as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

• Demonstrated ability to lead planning and evaluation of team activities.

• Demonstrated ability to meet the supervision needs of students and/or less experienced staff

What you'll be doing

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 permanent part time and temporary part time vacancies.

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