Forensic Medicine Social Worker
Employment Type: Temporary Part Time up to June 2026, with potential availability of ongoing employment
Position Classification: Social Worker Level 3
Remuneration: $56.68 - $58.52 per hour plus superannuation
Hours Per Week: 15.2
Requisition ID: REQ611953
Location: Wollongong Hospital
Applications Close: 27 October 2025 - 11:59pm
About the Opportunity
Future vacancies may arise across NSW Health Pathology
Are you a compassionate and skilled social worker looking to make a meaningful impact in the lives of families experiencing bereavement?
NSW Health Pathology is seeking a dedicated Forensic Social Worker to join our Excellence in Service Delivery award-winning team in Wollongong.
In this unique and rewarding role, you will support families following a referral to the NSW State Coroner. You will provide psychosocial support, facilitate viewings, assist with memory collation and visual identification, and offer follow-up care.
This position operates within a tri-agency model involving NSW Health, the Department of Communities and Justice, and NSW Police, requiring strong collaboration, communication, and trauma-informed practice.
What we can offer you
Generous salary packaging options and other fringe benefits
Corporate wellbeing programs, including the Fitness Passport
Learning and development opportunities, including in-house training with RTO My Health Learning
What you'll be doing
Provide a professional evidence based information and support service associated with the Forensic Medicine Social Work role outlined in the Model of Care document.
Interested in joining Australia’s largest public pathology service? Apply now by addressing the following questions:
- 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.
- Minimum 3 years clinical experience with extensive specialist knowledge in crisis intervention, clinical assessment/case management, including the ability to facilitate and support relatives/friends in viewing the body of the deceased.
- Extensive knowledge and recent, preferably hospital based experience in the provision of embedded / situational counselling and support in grief, loss and trauma
- Ability to exercise independent professional judgement and advocate for the client in situations of a complex or critical nature, whilst working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Demonstrated high level oral and written communication, including an understanding of the importance to maintain current and accurate clinical notes.
- Recent experience working in a deceased environment and demonstrated experience facilitating viewings and providing support to relatives and friends in the immediate hours following death
- Willingness to participate in an on-call roster and occasional out of hours service, and travel in accordance with the demands of the role holding a current NSW drivers license.
- Demonstrated capacity to adopt and model the NSWHP RITE values of Respect, Integrity, Teamwork and Excellence.
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 Colleen Fitzpatrick on Colleen.Fitzpatrick@health.nsw.gov.au
Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination Against Specified Infectious Diseases
This is a Category A position. All Category A applicants must read and understands NSW Health Policy Directive PD2024_015 Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination Against Specified Infectious Diseases. All recruits must agree to comply with the requirements outlined in this policy. All recruits must provide evidence against specified diseases and comply with the requirements of this policy at their own cost prior to appointment.
The preferred candidate may be required to undergo a functional assessment prior to appointment.
New to NSW Health Pathology?
The preferred candidate may be required to undergo a functional assessment prior to appointment.
Talent Pool
If the selection panel identifies more than one suitable candidate for the role, an eligibility list will be created for future temporary and casual vacancies.
Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
NSW Health Pathology is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive workplace. We seek to recruit from diverse applicants and create teams with skills, perspectives and experiences that complement each other at work. We welcome suitably qualified applicants regardless of age, ethnicity, socio-cultural background, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity.
All staff employed by NSW FASS will be required to supply a reference buccal sample so that their DNA profile can be compared to other generated profiles to exclude the possibility of contamination.
