Social Worker

St Vincent's Health Australia; Sydney; On-site; AUD 79,000 - 113,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Not-for-profit salary packaging

World-class precinct

Birth/medical support programs

Study leave

Health & wellbeing benefits

Job summary

St Vincent’s Public Hospital in Sydney seeks a Social Worker (Level 1-2) on a max-term contract until June 2027. You will join a multidisciplinary team delivering person-centred end-of-life care and provide on-call crisis support beyond regular hours.

Requirements include a Social Work degree, AASW eligibility, and a Full Class C Driver's Licence. Healthcare experience with palliative care is preferred, with a strong emphasis on compassionate communication and advocacy.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in Social Work and eligibility for AASW membership.
• Full Class C Driver's Licence.
• Healthcare experience, preferably in palliative care or end-of-life settings.

Responsibilities

• Provide social work interventions within a multidisciplinary team delivering person-centred, holistic end-of-life care.
• Participate in 24-hour on-call social work crisis service outside regular hours.
• Undertake psychosocial and risk assessments addressing emotional, spiritual, social, and practical needs.
• Collaborate with medical and allied health staff to support care coordination and planning.
• Provide counselling and advocacy for patients, families and carers experiencing grief or distress.
• Engage in professional development and quality improvement initiatives.

Skills

Psychosocial assessment

Counselling

Communication

Teamwork

On-call crisis support

Education

Social Work degree

Job description

Job Description: Role title: Social Worker (Level 1-2) Role type: Max term contract, full time (Until June 2027) Shift details: Monday to Friday Position Department and location: Social Work, St Vincent’s Public Hospital, Sydney Salary: $79,419.00 to $113,301.00 + Super + Salary Packaging

About the role

• Provide social work interventions as part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary team committed to delivering person-centred, holistic end-of-life care
• Participate in the 24-hour on-call social work crisis service, offering timely emotional and practical support to patients and their families during critical situations outside of regular hours
• Undertake psychosocial and risk assessments to support and address the emotional, spiritual, social, and practical needs of patients and their families
• Work closely with medical, nursing, and allied health staff to support care coordination and end-of-life planning such as providing information and access to relevant government and non-government services.
• Provide therapeutic counselling, advocacy, and support to patients, families, and carers experiencing grief, loss, or distress
• Engage in professional development activities, contribute to team learning, and participate in quality improvement initiatives aligned with best practices in palliative care and the mission of St Vincent’s Hospital

About you

• Tertiary qualifications in Social Work, eligibility for membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) and a Full Class C Drivers License
• Experience working in healthcare or related settings, ideally with exposure to palliative care, end-of-life, or chronic illness.
• Understanding of the emotional, social, and spiritual challenges faced by patients and families in these contexts
• Demonstrated skills in psychosocial assessment, casework, counselling, and facilitating practical support and advocacy for individuals with complex needs
• Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams, contribute to shared care planning, and communicate sensitively and professionally with patients, families, and health professionals
• Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills, with a commitment to ongoing learning, reflective practice, and ethical, person-centred care
• Willingness to participate in the on-call crisis roster and support patients and families in times of acute need

What we can offer you

• Exceptional Rewards: Competitive pay and not-for-profit salary packaging to maximise your income
• World-Class: Be part of a renowned precinct alongside the Garvan & Victor Chang institutes
• Excellence: Premier heart/lung transplant program, advanced robotics, & pioneering HIV/AIDS initiatives
• Cutting-Edge Oncology: Deliver advanced cancer care and trials at the renowned Kinghorn Cancer Centre
• Community: Support vital programs for First Nations, homelessness, mental health, & drug and alcohol care
• Professional Advancement: Accelerate your career with study leave and Curran Foundation scholarships
• Health & Wellbeing: Fitness Passport, discounted private health, & cultural recognitions and celebrations
• Coming from NSW Health?: Smooth transfer of your qualifying service and leave entitlements
• Sponsorship / work rights for Australia Please note, visa sponsorship is not available for this position. For this role you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or have an Australia visa that grants you the work rights necessary for the role.

Equal opportunity

We celebrate diversity & inclusion and are committed to equal employment opportunity for everyone. As part of our commitment to reconciliation, we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to apply and join us in delivering care that heals body, mind, spirit and community.

Reconciliation Action Plan:

At St Vincent's we acknowledge the importance of creating a work environment that is welcoming, safe, equitable and inclusive for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Employees. As part of our Commitment to Reconciliation and Closing the Gap in employment related outcomes, we encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. For further information, visit https://www.svha.org.au/about-us/reconciliation or get in contact at [e-mail]

St Vincent’s Health Australia has been serving Australians with compassionate health and aged care since our first hospital was established in Sydney in 1857. Founded by the Sisters of Charity more than 180 years ago, St Vincent’s is a clinical, research and education leader delivering private hospital, public hospital and aged care services across NSW, VIC and QLD. Our founder, Mary Aikenhead’s vision, commitment and inspiration lives on in us and the work we do. From modest beginnings, St Vincent’s Health Australia is today the nation’s largest not-for-profit health and aged care provider, offering services in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, including public and private hospitals and aged care facilities. The St Vincent’s family comprises 22,000 outstanding nurses, researchers, cooks, doctors, executives, administrators, cleaners, volunteers and more.