Description
and Critical Job Demands Checklist:
SENIOR SOCIAL WORKER: LEVEL 3
ST VINCENT’S HOSPITAL SYDNEY
POSITION DESCRIPTION
POSITION TITLE:
Senior Social Worker: Level 3
DEPARTMENT:
Social Work
AGREEMENT:
as amended or in force from time to time.
CLASSIFICATION:
Social Worker Level 3: SW301- SW302
CAPABILITY LEVEL:
Level 2
REPORTS TO:
Social Work Manager
STATUS:
Maximum Term
Part Time
Shift work required On Call SW
HOURS:
24 hours per week
EMPLOYMENT SCREENING
NATIONAL CRIMINAL RECORD CHECK:
Yes
WORKING WITH CHILDREN BACKGROUND CHECK:
Yes
WORKING WITH AGED CARE CHECK:
No
VACCINATION CATEGORY
A
DIRECT REPORTS:
Nil
KEY RELATIONSHIPS (INTERNAL):
1. Executive Director Allied Health
2. Social Work Team Leaders
3. Deputy Social Work Manager and Professional Educator
4. Social Work colleagues across campus
5. SVHS Clinical Stream Director/s and Managers
6. Rehabilitation Head of Department
7. Sub-Acute Stream Manager
8. Geriatric Medicine Head of Department
9. Nursing, Medical and Allied Health Professionals
10. Administrative and Support staff
11. After Hours Nurse Managers
12. Aboriginal Health Service
KEY RELATIONSHIPS (EXTERNAL):
13. State, Federal and Local Government agencies and departments
14. NGOs, other health and service providers including Waverley ACAT and other ACATs
15. Professional bodies, relevant AASW special interest groups.
16. Residential Aged Care Facilities, Aged Care Service Providers
17. Professional Networks across other LHDs
18. Universities
19. Patients and Consumers
20. NSW Ministry of Health and Pillars
My Aged Care
KEY RESPONSIBILTY:
21. Within the framework of the Mission, Vision, Values and Philosophy as well as the policies of St. Vincent’s Hospital, the Aged Care Social Worker Level 3 is responsible for the provision of a comprehensive interprofessional social work services to patients, families and carers within the domains of Rehabilitation and the Acute Geriatric Medicine team.
LOCATION:
Sydney (Darlinghurst) and at all such other locations that SVHS may reasonably require from time to time.
POSITION PURPOSE
The Senior Social Worker is responsible for the provision of comprehensive psychosocial services to the areas of allocation predominantly: Rehabilitation and the Acute Geriatric Medicine team. This role shall provide a timely and comprehensive social work service to the patients, clients, their families and carers in these clinical areas and be strongly engaged in interprofessional practice. The Senior Social Worker will be working within with allocated specialties and for relevant Rehabilitation patients will also provide service in Department. This senior role shall provide a consultancy service within the Aged Care/ Rehabilitation/ Medical and Surgical Specialties and in their area of expertise for Social Work, for other health care professionals within St Vincent’s Hospital and with external agencies. This senior role shall assist with the development of policies, procedures and services in the Social Work Department and the Hospital.
This senior clinical social work position is involved in working with the Social Work team leaders and colleagues for the planning, implementation, evaluation and reporting on Aged Care/ Rehabilitation/ Medical and Surgical and other social work services across the St Vincent’s network as required by the Manager of Social Work. The Senior Social Worker shall be expected to provide supervision to staff and students as required, conduct education sessions for staff of all disciplines, provide training and support excellence in clinical practice founded in current evidence. Other duties may be assigned as required by the Social Work Manager or the Director of Allied Health.
Participation in the Social Work On call Service is required and training shall be provided.
This Social Work level 3 role is part time and available till January 2026 with the possibility of extension based on parental leave backfill.
ST VINCENT’S HEALTH AUSTRALIA: IDENTITY
Our organisational values are relevant to all positions. All employees are required to consistently demonstrate behaviours that support the Mission, Vision and Values of St Vincent’s Health Australia and promote an ethical environment in accordance with the St Vincent’s Health Australia Code of Conduct.
OUR MISSION
As a Catholic health and aged care service provider, our mission is to bring God’s love to those in need through the healing ministry of Jesus. We are especially committed to people who are poor and vulnerable.
We draw on the talents of our people and collaborate with others who share our vision and values to continue the pioneering spirit of Mary Aikenhead and the Sisters of Charity. We are committed to providing compassionate and innovative care, enabling hope for those we serve.
OUR VISION
To lead transformation in health care inspired by the healing ministry of Jesus.
OUR VALUES
Our values, based on the Gospels, reflect the healing ministry of Jesus, and act as a point of reference for our decision making which is fundamental to our catholic identity. Our values provide direction as to the type of organisation we aspire to be and the kind of behaviours we regard as appropriate to help achieve our aspirations. Our values underpin all that we do and are demonstrated through our everyday actions, giving our mission and vision life.
Compassion: Caring for others with an openness that affirms life and healing
Justice: Acting with courage and fairness in pursuit of what is right and just
Integrity: Ensuring our actions and decisions are grounded in our values, reflecting both honesty and authenticity
Excellence: Demonstrating a passionate commitment to continuous improvement and innovation
OUR CARE
Our Care is:
22. Provided in an environment underpinned by our mission and values
23. Holistic and centred on the needs of each patient and resident
24. High quality, safe, and continuously improved to ensure best practice
25. Innovative and informed by current research using contemporary techniques and technology
26. Delivered by a team of dedicated, appropriately qualified people who are supported in a continuing development of their skills and knowledge
27. Committed to a respect for life in accordance with the Gospels
MISSION AND CATHOLIC IDENTITY
28. Promote the mission, vision and values of St Vincent’s Health Australia, the St Vincent’s Health Australia Code of Conduct, and ensure these principles are effectively integrated in all areas of responsibility
29. Actively contribute to the development of a positive organisational culture, aligned to the mission and values of St Vincent’s Health Australia.
30. Participate in in formation programs to ensure a clear understanding of the ministry and how the changing needs and environment of the Healthcare sector may impact on the delivery of the St Vincent’s Health Australia Mission.
POSITION DUTIES
CLINICAL CARE AND PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP
31. Responsible for the high quality delivery of social work services in designated area/s of clinical practice.
32. Network with other social work providers in clinical area across the metropolitan area.
33. Provision of social work student placements.
34. Maintaining standards of AASW professional code of ethics, practice and supervision.
35. Act as a resource for other professionals involved in psychosocial care of patients in the area of clinical practice.
36. Representing the social work department and the hospital as appropriate on internal and external committees.
37. Providing comprehensive bio psychosocial assessments for patients in the area /s of allocation.
38. Conduct and understand risk assessment as related to capacity, and self-determination in aged care.
39. Facilitates through individual and family counselling, adaptation to the medical condition and lifestyle changes.
40. Participate in care and discharge planning, including referral to community services and facilitation of respite and long term accommodation of patients.
41. Assess matters of risk with particular skill and knowledge with respect to potential issues of Domestic and Family Violence and Elder Abuse.
42. Facilitates meaningful conversations regarding Advance Care Planning, substitute decision-making and goals of care where appropriate.
43. Advocates for patients and carers both inside and outside the hospital as appropriate, including where required referral for My Aged Care and application to the NDIS, NCAT: Guardianship division.
44. Initiates family conferences to facilitate information exchange between the multidisciplinary team and patients/family and carers.
45. Conduct all work with appreciation of diversity, cultural and religious sensitivity.
46. Liaise with relevant external organisations and agencies to facilitate provision of the social work service in area of practice.
47. Provides clear clinical handovers: ISBAR.
48. Participate in the Social Work After Hours On call social work service post relevant training and development of competencies.
COMPLIANCE
49. All conduct accords with the AASW Code of Ethics, AASW Professional Practice Standards and Supervision and the SVHA Code of Conduct.
50. Ensure compliance across all relevant standards of accreditation and legislative requirements within areas of responsibility or as delegated by the CEO, St Vincent’s Health Network Sydney.
51. Ensure facilities operate at all times in compliance with the Catholic Health Australia Code of Ethical Standards for Catholic Health and Aged Care Services in Australia and relevant legislation.
52. Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, standards and industrial instruments.
53. Operate within the delegated responsibilities and authorities as set by St Vincent’s Health Australia
54. Ensure relevant personal qualification, registrations and memberships are maintained at the required level.
55. Ensure that employees are compliant with mandatory training requirements.
56. Current immunity status that complies with the Assessment, Screening& Vaccination against Specified Infectious Diseases - Policy Directive Immunisation history complies with NSW Health Policy Directive PD2011_005
WORK, HEALTH & SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES
Workers must cooperate with efforts to provide a safe and healthy workplace:
57. Take reasonable care of own health and safety and that of others
58. Comply with policies, procedures, safe work practices and reasonable instruction designed to keep people healthy and safe.
59. Participate in training related to safety and emergency preparation and become familiar with the policies and procedures. Ask for assistance if unsure.
60. Take immediate action, where safe to do so, to rectify any unsafe situations or acts
61. Report all hazards, incidents and injuries
62. Engage in consultation and participate in activities to identify, assess and control hazards
63. Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in accordance with information, training or reasonable instruction
INCUMBENT CAPABILITY REQUIREMENTS
The incumbent shall possess and demonstrate the following core capabilities:
CAPABILITY
DEMONSTRATED BEHAVIOUR
PERSONAL
Personal Effectiveness
Plans & Organises – Takes responsibility for accurate, timely work results
Learning Agility
Adaptability – Identifies personal development needs and seeks information from a range of sources
OUTCOMES
Patient/ Resident Centered
Patient Focused – Strives to meet and exceed expectations, demonstrating sound judgement
Innovation and Improvement
Identifies Issues – Contributes to improvement by reviewing strengths and weaknesses of current processes
STRATEGY
Driving Results
Delivers Results – Manages own work load to deliver results
Organisational Acumen
Understands Interdependencies – Understands the interdependencies between departments
PEOPLE
Working With and Managing Others
Monitors Others – Takes responsibility for ensuring productive, efficient teamwork
Collaboration
Collaborates – Works collaboratively within and outside the team
SELECTION CRITERIA
64. Personal integrity and demonstrated commitment to the Philosophy, Mission and Values of Mary Aikenhead Ministries and St Vincent’s Health Australia.
65. Bachelor of Social Work or equivalent tertiary qualification creating eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) with demonstrated experience in clinical health social work settings with high level skills in aged care social work service.
66. Demonstrated competencies in relevant social work practice frameworks including: human rights, social justice, crisis intervention, adjustment to illness and disability, short-term solution focused intervention, grief and loss, complex assessment, advocacy, care and discharge planning.
67. High-level understanding and experience of the complex social issues for patients, families and carers in regard to aged care services, rehabilitation, disability and residential care.
68. Demonstrated commitment to and experience in inclusive collaboration and multidisciplinary teamwork in high demand environment including time management, negotiation, written, oral and computer skills.
69. Demonstrated competencies and experience in the provision of clinical supervision of staff/students.
70. Sound knowledge of legislative requirements and the social work role in regard to domestic violence, elder abuse, child protection, guardianship, sudden death and victims of crime.
71. Ability to undertake and lead clinical planning, research, quality and education projects within social work services.
EMPLOYEE DECLARATION
I have read this position description, I understand the position requirements and position demands checklist and agree that I can fulfill these requirements to the standards outlined. I am not aware of any reason, which might interfere with my ability to perform the inherent position requirements and position demands of this position.
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Employee Name
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Employee Signature
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Date
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Manager’s Name
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Department
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Date
Contact Details:
Scarlett Sevastopoulos, A/ Manager Social Work, Ph: 0499 333 714
Alternate Contact:
Mali Newman- Plant SW Rehabilitation Team Leader Ph: 0436 806373
Closing Date:
6 August 2024 11:59pm
Reconciliation Action Plan:
Code of Conduct: