Palliative Care Social Worker

Make a difference supporting patients and families in their most important moments.

Employment Type: Temporary Part Time
Position Classification: Social Worker Level 3
Remuneration: $116,892 – $120,680 per annum (pro rata)
Hours Per Week: 20
Requisition ID: REQ652777
Location: Armidale Community Health Service
Application close date: Sunday 19th April 2026 

Social Worker Level 3 – Palliative Care, Tablelands
Join our dedicated Palliative Care team supporting the Tablelands community, where your expertise will make a real difference to patients and their families. You will work alongside a skilled, multidisciplinary team—including Clinical Nurse Consultants, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Occupational Therapists, and medical staff—providing specialist guidance and support to local palliative care teams and community nurses managing complex and diverse patient needs across the region.

What You’ll Be Doing
As a Level 3 Social Worker, you will provide high-quality clinical services to palliative care clients, their families, and carers to ensure optimal patient outcomes. You will work closely with the multidisciplinary team to support patients in the community, and occasionally within hospital settings, adapting care to meet the unique needs of each patient and family.
Key responsibilities include:

• Providing consultative palliative care support to district-wide clinicians to promote safe, patient-centred care
• Delivering advanced clinical social work services to clients with complex needs, operating independently with minimal supervision
• Exercising professional judgement in problem-solving and case management where principles and procedures require adaptation
• Planning, implementing, evaluating, and reporting on clinical service delivery to optimise effectiveness and efficiency
• Identifying opportunities for service improvement and leading initiatives to enhance clinical practice and patient outcomes
• Advocating for patients and families while ensuring culturally safe, trauma-informed care

About You
You are a qualified and experienced Social Worker with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work (or equivalent) that provides eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers. You have a proven ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team, providing advanced practice social work in palliative care.
You are confident supporting patients and families through complex situations, facilitating access to additional supports, and participating in difficult conversations. You demonstrate strong clinical judgement, excellent interpersonal skills, and a commitment to culturally appropriate, trauma-informed care.
You will be supported by a highly experienced hospital social work team, with professional guidance available from the Area Social Work Lead.

Selection Criteria

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or equivalent qualification providing eligibility for AASW membership
• Demonstrated experience providing high-level clinical social work in palliative care or related complex care settings
• Ability to exercise independent professional judgement and manage complex cases
• Proven ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team
• Experience leading, planning, and evaluating clinical service delivery
• Strong communication skills with patients, families, carers, and health professionals
• Commitment to culturally safe, trauma-informed, patient-centred care

What we can offer you:

• Monthly Allocated Days Off (for full-time employees) 
• Paid parental leave (for eligible employees) - giving you the opportunity for true Worklife balance 
• Salary packaging options - up to $11,600 plus novated leasing 
• Fitness Passport for health and well-being - discounted gym options for you and your family 
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for staff and family members 
• Opportunity to work and collaborate with a range of non-clinical and clinical professionals 

Need more information?
Click here for the Position Description
Find out more about applying for this position
For role related queries or questions contact Gemma Model on Gemma.Model@health.nsw.gov.au

Our Commitment
All staff are expected to act in accordance with NSW Health Core Values and the HNE Health Values Charter, demonstrating excellence, respect, and a commitment to patient safety and culturally appropriate care. Staff are required to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others, and to comply with workplace policies and procedures.

Additional Information

• An eligibility list will be created for future temporary part time vacancies. 
• To be eligible for permanent employment in this position, you must be an Australian Citizen, 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 where no suitable local candidate is identified and will be offered strictly in line with the conditions and expiry date of the visa. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

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.

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. 

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 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.