Social Worker 1/2-Acute Geriatrics Wards

Western Sydney Local Health District; Sydney; On-site; AUD 79,000 - 113,000; Full time

Job summary

Westmead Hospital, part of Western Sydney Local Health District, is seeking a Level 1/2 Social Worker to support older patients, families and carers in the Geriatric Medicine Department. You will apply assessment, counselling and advocacy skills to address complex psychosocial needs and help with care planning and referrals.

This role offers opportunities across inpatient, outpatient and community settings, with clinical supervision and ongoing education to strengthen your practice.

Qualifications

• Degree in Social Work with eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Work (AASW).
• Unrestricted NSW Driver’s Licence is desirable for after-hours crisis responses.
• Experience or understanding of ageing, end-of-life care, guardianship and complex family dynamics.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments and deliver counselling, crisis intervention, advocacy and referrals to community supports.
• Support patients and families facing complex challenges, including elder abuse and guardianship matters.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to support coordinated care and discharge planning.
• Maintain accurate clinical records and participate in quality improvement initiatives.
• Provide education to healthcare colleagues and support social work students on placement.

Skills

Assessment

Counselling

Advocacy

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Education

Bachelor of Social Work

Job description

Highlights

• Make a meaningful difference in the lives of older people and their families
• Deliver person-centred care within a multidisciplinary healthcare team
• Grow your expertise in hospital and community-based social work

Employment Type

Permanent Full Time

Position Classification

Social Worker Level 1 / Level 2

Remuneration

$79,419 - $113,301 per annum

Hours Per Week

38

Location

Westmead Hospital

Where you'll be working

Join Westmead Hospital, part of Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD), and contribute to care that makes a genuine difference to older people, their families and carers. Working within the Geriatric Medicine Department, you'll collaborate with healthcare professionals to address complex social and emotional needs, promote wellbeing and support safe, informed care planning.

• Meaningful impact: Help older people and their families navigate challenging health and life transitions with dignity and compassion.
• Collaborative care: Work alongside medical, nursing and allied health professionals to deliver coordinated, person-centred care.
• Diverse clinical experience: Contribute across inpatient, outpatient and community settings, responding to a broad range of psychosocial needs.
• Professional growth: Access clinical supervision, ongoing education and evidence-based practice opportunities to strengthen your skills and clinical judgement.
• Quality and innovation: Participate in service improvement, departmental initiatives and the development of effective clinical practices.

What You'll Be Doing

As a Level 1/2 Social Worker, you'll provide professional social work services to older patients, their families and carers under the care of the Geriatric Medicine Department. You'll use your assessment, counselling and advocacy skills to address complex psychosocial challenges, support care planning and connect people with appropriate services and resources.

• Conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments and deliver counselling, crisis intervention, advocacy and referrals to community supports.
• Support patients and families experiencing complex challenges, including elder abuse, guardianship matters, sudden loss, deteriorating health and other sensitive family circumstances.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams through ward rounds, case conferences and patient care meetings to support coordinated care and discharge planning.
• Maintain accurate clinical documentation and activity records, contribute to quality improvement initiatives, and provide education to healthcare colleagues as required.
• Invest in your professional development through clinical supervision and evidence-based practice, with opportunities to support social work students on placement as required.

Essential Criteria

• Degree in Social Work with eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Work (AASW).
• Qualification: Bachelor of Social Work

Selection Criteria

• Demonstrated understanding of issues associated with ageing, age related illnesses, rehabilitation, accommodation placements, guardianship and end of life care.
• Unrestricted NSW Driver’s Licence and ability to participate in the After Hours Crisis On-Call Social Work Service.
• A good knowledge of community resources and experience liaising with community organisations
• Demonstrated clinical experience or understanding of grief and loss counselling, crisis intervention, discharge planning and working with complex family dynamics.
• Demonstrated understanding of issues associated with working with culturally and Linguistically Diverse client group.
• Demonstrated well-developed time management skills with excellent written and verbal communication, including report writing skills and high level computer literacy.
• Demonstrated ability to work with minimal supervision and as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Commitment to quality improvement and evidence based practice and a commitment to ongoing clinical and professional learning

Applications Close: 09 November 2026

Need more information?

• Find out more about applying for this position.
• Review the detailed Position Descriptionfor insights into role requirements and criteria.
• Explore theselection process,employment checks,outcomes and notifications.
• For inquiries about the role, contact Gayatri Noor at [e-mail]

People with disabilities who meet the selection criteria are encouraged to apply; and where required, WSLHD will implement reasonable adjustment consistent with industry standard.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply. Stepping Up aims to assist Aboriginal job applicants by providing information about applying for role in NSW Health organisations. For more information, please visit https://www.steppingup.health.nsw.gov.au/ .

Westmead hospital car parking allocation model is changing. There is a waitlist for parking for new staff commencing at Westmead Hospital. This does not apply for staff with disability.

Please note: To be eligible for permanent appointment to a position in NSW Health, you must have an Australian citizenship or permanent Australian residency.