The Social Worker Level 3 position within the Social Work Department at John Hunter Hospital (JHH) and John Hunter Children’s Hospital (JHCH) is crucial for delivering effective crisis response services. Targeted primarily toward Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicants, this role emphasizes the importance of cultural competency and community representation in healthcare.
As part of the crisis response team, the social worker will engage with individuals facing critical situations, such as trauma from accidents, unexpected deaths, child protection issues and mental health challenges among adolescents. The position requires a strong ability to work independently during afternoon shifts, as well as effective collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive care and support for patients and their families.
The job offers a unique opportunity to work in a dynamic and challenging environment, fostering professional growth through supervision and training tailored to individual needs. Benefits such as competitive remuneration, salary packaging and access to an Employee Assistance Program underline the organization’s commitment to employee well-being.
Position Title: Social Worker Level 3
Employment Type: Permanent Part-Time (targeted)
Salary Range: $108,595 – $112,114 plus Superannuation and Salary Packaging
Hours Per Week: 9 hours
Requisition ID: REQ526335
Closing Date: November 3rd
Work Environment
In this role, you will address referrals for both John Hunter Hospital (JHH) and John Hunter Children’s Hospital (JHCH) as part of the Social Work Department’s crisis response team. You will work independently in the Critical Care Social Work team at JHH, specifically during after-hours shifts. Your primary duties will include receiving handovers from the daytime staff, managing any crisis situations that emerge during your shift and transferring cases to the on-call service or the next day’s team. Although the role requires independent functioning, you will receive ongoing support from your broader team and department.
Shift Details
Your work schedule will consist of an afternoon shift from 4:00 PM to 10:30 PM on Fridays and every alternate Saturday. Ideally, the same individual would cover both shifts, with opportunities to take on extra shifts or weekend work to accommodate colleagues’ planned or unplanned absences. Employees are expected to coordinate Saturday shifts with weekday work to maintain their connection to the department, access necessary supervision, participate in mandatory training and receive essential support. Working only on alternate Saturdays without accompanying weekday shifts is discouraged, as it can lead to feelings of isolation and a lack of adequate support.
Role Responsibilities
As a Social Worker, you will deliver crisis interventions in various critical situations, which may include:
- Trauma cases (e.g., motor vehicle accidents, assaults, non-fatal suicide attempts)
- Unexpected fatalities within wards
- Child protection issues
- Homelessness
- Mental health or behavioral issues among adolescents
Ideal Candidate Profile
The preferred candidate will be proficient in working independently and will possess robust skills in prioritization, crisis response and trauma-informed care. Prior to undertaking shifts alone, you will have the chance to complete buddy shifts with an experienced afternoon shift colleague to familiarize yourself with the operations of JHH, JHCH and relevant procedures. A genuine interest in working within a multidisciplinary team, alongside strong organizational skills, is essential.
You will receive supervision from the Team Leader of the Critical Care Team, the Service Manager or a seasoned clinician in the department. Furthermore, you will have access to training opportunities tailored to your professional development needs as identified in conjunction with your supervisor.
Benefits Offered
- Commitment to sustainable healthcare with a focus on achieving zero harm.
- Convenient location near shopping and essential services.
- Accrued Accrued Days Off (ADOs) for full-time employees each month.
- Four weeks of annual leave (pro-rata for part-time employees).
- Superannuation contributions.
- Salary packaging options available.
- Access to a Fitness Passport.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) available for staff and their family members.
- Opportunities to collaborate with a diverse range of clinical and non-clinical professionals.
Application Process
Click on Apply Now to get started.
For role-related inquiries or questions, contact Fran Hodgson at Fran.Hodgson@health.nsw.gov.au.
Information for Applicants
Candidates will be evaluated based on the essential requirements and selection criteria specified in the position description (link above). For assistance with addressing the selection criteria, visit this link.
The Stepping Up Website is a dedicated resource designed to support Indigenous job seekers applying for positions within NSW Health. For further information, please visit Stepping Up.
This is classified as a Category A position. Recommended applicants will undergo a review for compliance with the NSW Health policy directive PD2024_015: Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination against Specified Infectious Diseases for Category A roles before an offer is made. All new employees must agree to adhere to the stipulations outlined in the policy.
In summary, this Social Worker Level 3 position offers a unique opportunity to engage in meaningful crisis intervention work within a supportive environment, providing critical social work services to patients in need. The role emphasizes the importance of collaboration, training and ongoing professional development, making it an excellent opportunity for individuals passionate about making a difference in their community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this position open to all applicants?
While the position is open to all individuals, it specifically targets Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people in accordance with Section 21 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977. Indigenous candidates are encouraged to apply.
What are the expected working hours?
The role involves part-time work, specifically from 4:00 PM to 10:30 PM on Fridays and every second Saturday, with the possibility of additional weekday shifts to ensure continuity and support.
What kind of support will I receive in this role?
You will receive supervision from the Team Leader of the Critical Care Team, the Service Manager or an experienced clinician in the department. Additionally, there will be opportunities for training and professional development.
What types of situations will I be dealing with?
As a social worker in this position, you will handle crisis situations involving trauma, unexpected deaths, child protection concerns, homelessness and mental health issues among adolescents.
Are there opportunities for professional development?
Yes, the role offers access to training that aligns with your professional development needs, as identified by you and your supervisor.
What benefits are included with this position?
The benefits include a competitive salary, superannuation contributions, salary packaging options, four weeks of annual leave (pro-rata for part-time employees) and access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Will I be required to work independently?
Yes, the role requires you to work independently during your shifts, but you will have support from the broader team and department.
