• Hospital and Palliative Care Social Worker- HP Level 2
• Calvary Public Hospital Bruce, ACT
• Permanent Full Time
• Salary Range: $79,233- $95,736 (Plus Super) 

About the Role

Social Workers at Calvary Public Hospital are employed under generalist positions and are supported to develop expertise with a robust program of professional development, group and external individual supervision and rotations to areas of interest in the hospital and at Clare Holland House.

HP2 Social Workers are given the opportunity to rotate twice a year to assist them to develop skills and experience in the complex and fast paced hospital environment. This new opportunity to rotate to Clare Holland House is due to expansion funding.

Areas of social work service include:

• Medical and Complex Care
• Stroke 
• Palliative Care (Acute hospital, Clare Holland House and Home Based Palliative Care)
• Critical Care (ICU, CCU and ED)
• Maternity and Special Care Nursery
• Hospital in the Home
• Surgical
• Mental Health (adult inpatient and older persons inpatient units)

In this role you will apply your knowledge, skills, professional judgement and initiative in the delivery of Social Work services in a busy clinical setting under the direct supervision of HP3 Senior Social Workers and the Social Work Team Leader. You will play a key role in the support of colleagues including members of the multidisciplinary team.

Currently the Department is comprised of a Social Work Team Leader, HP3 Senior Social Workers and Psychologists, HP1/2 Junior Social Workers and Psychologist and Aboriginal Liaison Officers under the management of the Director of Social Work and Psychology. 

All staff have access to external professional supervision paid for by the Department, peer supervision and education through fortnightly skills workshops, 1: 1 mentoring with a Senior Clinician and regular internal and external professional development opportunities.  All social workers in the Department attend the Donate Life Introductory Donation Awareness Training (IDAT) Workshop, Palliative Care Education through PEPA and External Domestic and Family Violence Training as part of their orientation to hospital social work.  We are committed to ensuring our staff receive the support they need to become confident and capable practitioners.

What you bring  

• A solutions focused approach 
• A commitment to 'Being for Others' including colleagues 
• Highly developed time management skills
• Demonstrated commitment to build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders to promote and protect the care of patients
• Postgraduate experience working with people in crisis. This may be in a hospital, health or community settings
• A commitment to ongoing learning and development
• Demonstrated ability to bring together compassionate care with effective, evidence based social work practice
• A desire to join a team committed to the care of others in a mission based organisation

 How to apply

Applicants are expected to respond in writing and include the following:

• Current Resume that includes contact details for at least 2 professional referees
• A personal pitch cover letter responding to the following three questions: (a response to selection criteria is NOT required and will not be considered as part of your application)

1. Describe a difficult clinical decision you have had to make that was for the best interest of your client/ patient. (Maximum 250 words)

• In your answer, please ensure you address the following
  • What was the situation and what was your role?
  • What was your decision making process?
  • How did you overcome any difficulties or challenges?
  • With the benefit of hindsight, would you have anything differently?  If yes, what?

2. Describe the steps you have taken so far to develop your cultural competence to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and your plan for ongoing development (maximum 500 words)

• What formal learning opportunities have you engaged with?
• How do you apply your knowledge of the impact of colonisation and the ongoing oppression and intergenerational trauma suffered by First Nations people in your practice?
• How do you evaluate the effectiveness of your practice?
• What opportunities for improvement have you identified and what is your plan to address these? 

 3. Working in the Helping Professions can have an impact on us personally and professionally. Please answer the below questions that relate to how a manager or colleagues can best support you in this work (maximum 250 words)

• How would your manager or colleagues know that you are needing additional support?
• What would you like them to do/ not do?
• What is your approach to self-care to prevent burnout and compassion fatigue? 

Applications must be submitted online.

Note the outcome of this recruitment may be used to appoint to temporary, full-time and part-time positions within 12 months.

About Calvary

We are a leading provider of quality, integrated care that puts our patients, residents and clients at the centre of everything we do. Calvary offers flexible careers in clinical, allied health, hospitality, ICT and health administration, mission, leadership, management and more. Founded in Australia in 1885, we’re one of the largest providers of health, aged and community care with over 18,000 staff and volunteers, 14 Public and Private Hospitals, 72 Residential Care and Retirement Communities and 19 Community Care Centres.

As an equal opportunity employer, we value diversity and are committed to fostering a workplace that is respectful, welcoming and inclusive where people are supported to draw strengths from their identity, culture and community. We value the integral dignity of each person and we encourage applications from First Nations peoples, people living with a disability, LGBTIQ+ people, people who have come to Australia as migrants or refugees and veterans.

Why work for Calvary?

Joining us is your opportunity to learn with purpose and drive positive impact to our community in a stimulating work environment. We offer paid parental leave, salary packaging, career progression, flexible working hours and training and skills development. Calvary is also proud to be recognised as a leader in gender equality.  Further details are available here: https://www.calvarycare.org.au/careers/benefits/

If you are looking for a rewarding career in an organisation that supports the community, apply now!

Please note the following:

• Only applicants with a valid right to work in Australia will be considered.
• As part of the application process, you may be required to participate in a health evaluation, which could include face to face assessment and drug and alcohol testing, to ensure your suitability for the role.
• Calvary has a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirement for all workers. You will also be required to provide evidence of other immunisation as required for your role

Please note we are unable to accept emailed applications or resumes and phone calls from recruitment agencies

Contact Officer for further information:

Karen Dell

Director Social Work and Psychology

Phone: 02 6201 6314

Email: [email protected] using the subject line: Health Professionals enquiry via EthicalJobs.