Social Worker - HammondCare
About HammondCare
Make a difference every day to the lives of older Australians in need by joining the team at HammondCare. We provide expert aged care, home care, dementia care and palliative care for older people, regardless of circumstances, beliefs, background or financial situation, led by our not-for-profit, Christian foundations and backed by research and clinical expertise.
We've been caring for people for over 90 years, recruiting and developing passionate team members who can support older people through some of life's most difficult circumstances. Whether it's in our innovative residences, our hospitals, or at home, from the most complex situations to just offering a little help, we bring the same skill, experience and compassion to all we do. It's not just care, it's HammondCare.
About the role
We are urgently seeking flexible and energetic social workers, preferably with experience in palliative care and/or mental health, to work across our health care services both on the ward and in the community. This Casual Level 1-2 role is for immediate start at Neringah Hospital (Wahroonga) on a part-time basis until the end of August 2026, with additional work later in the year across our locations in Northern Sydney.
This immediate role will be part-time casual at 1-3 days weekly and must be available to work on Fridays. There is an option for a fixed term 1 day contract (until end August) with additional casual days if this is preferred. There is no closing date and phone enquiry from interested applicants is welcomed. Interviews will commence as soon as suitable applications are received. This role could suit transition back to the workforce or someone wanting to decrease their regular hours to intermittent work.
The casual role of the Level 1/2 Social Worker is to work within the Mission in Action of HammondCare to ensure a high standard of comprehensive Social Work service is provided to the complex clients of our services, along with appropriate support to their carers and families. This position will be working across our health care sites in Northern Sydney LHD, including Wahroonga (Neringah Hospital), St Leonards (Pacific Centre), Mona Vale (Community Cottage Mona Vale Hospital) and North Ryde (Macquarie Hospital), and will cover periods of staff leave or service demand. The role will operate within our integrated specialist Multi-Disciplinary Teams in Palliative Care (inpatient and community) and Older Persons Mental Health (inpatient only). You will also participate as a member of the HammondCare Social Work team.
The role will be embedded within our integrated multi-disciplinary teams and includes clinical and professional social work supervision. It requires the ability to effectively manage a fast paced, broad social work service, to ensure timely assessment and interventions, provision of counselling, support and information, as well as problem solving and managing complex discharges. Empathy and understanding of the unique needs of our client groups is essential. Suitable applicants will be excellent communicators who are able to quickly learn and adapt to new systems and teams. Health care and hospital experience are highly valued, as is familiarity with NSW Health EMR. Fluency in languages other than English is an advantage.
HammondCare is a NSW Health-affiliated organisation all NSW Health transferrable entitlements will be recognised.
The essence of this role:
- To provide a holistic psychosocial perspective of the individual, facilitating the client and their carer to identify issues, plan, adapt and manage through the course of a life-limiting illness, mental health episode or hospitalisation.
- To provide skilled, effective and timely social work interventions and services to our clients and their carer/s, with a focus on client centred, evidence based responses that maximise the client's quality of life and autonomy.
- To participate as an effective member of the Multi-Disciplinary Team in comprehensively assessing needs, setting collaborative goals with the client and carers, and contributing towards meeting these needs and goals.
- To ensure all documentation, communication and policy requirements are effectively met, including maintenance of handover systems and patient Electronic Medical Records.
- To maintain knowledge and links with relevant health and community services, to facilitate the seamless transfer of clients between services, the interchange of relevant information, appropriate discharge planning, and working relationships that best support the clients' needs and goals.
- To participate as a member of the HammondCare team in the application of the organisation's Mission and Values, in all interactions with clients, internal and external stakeholders, within a continuous quality improvement environment. To work consistently within the values and ethics of HammondCare and the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
About you
Please briefly address the individual criteria below under headings, in your application.
Essential Criteria
- Recognised tertiary qualification in Social Work and eligibility for AASW membership. Qualifications obtained overseas must provide AASW Overseas Assessment number.
- Current working rights in Australia ie citizenship, permanent residency or appropriate working visa.
- Commitment to engage and align with HammondCare's Mission in Action.
- Knowledge, skills and experience in providing a broad range of social work interventions including psychosocial assessment, counselling, advocacy and service liaison, problem solving, complex discharge planning etc.
- Experience providing a comprehensive range of Social Work Services in a community health or hospital setting - preference for palliative care / life limiting illness, and/or mental health services.
- Knowledge of relevant community services / supports and referral systems including MAC, NDIS, ACAS etc.
- Demonstrated effective interpersonal and communication skills, including clear, concise communication using a variety of media (written, verbal and digital).
- Demonstrated self-motivation and skills in effective time management, prioritising competing work commitments, and managing and responding to demanding situations.
- Flexibility, empathy and adaptability.
- Ability to interact constructively and collaboratively with the internal multidisciplinary team and external service providers. Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Commitment to ongoing professional development, learning opportunities and professional supervision.
- Willingness to travel and work between HammondCare's sites and services as required.
Desirable Criteria
- Current unencumbered Drivers Licence and safe driving record.
- Previous experience within the NSW Health system, including the use of NSW Health Electronic Medical Record (EMR).
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience in a palliative care context.
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience in older persons mental health.
Benefits - What are we offering
- Market-leading remuneration
- Additional training & career development opportunities
- Reward and Recognition Program
- Fitness Passports: Full facility access can include gyms, group classes and pools for yourself and your family.
- Exclusive discounts at MyCar; Servicing, Brakes, Repairs
- Exclusive commercial discounts for JB HI-FI, The Good Guys, Optus, Dell and Samsung
Ready to make a change? Apply Now by clicking this link: https://hammondcare.wd105.myworkdayjobs.com/External_Careers/job/Wahroonga/Social-Worker_REQ3031
For further information please contact Lynn Shaw at lshaw@hammond.com.au or 0418 988 374 (Monday - Thursday)
HammondCare is committed to creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity and inclusion. We thrive on creating an 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 & vaccination compliance checks.
