Social Worker Level 3 - SMART

Southern NSW Local Health District; Sydney; On-site; AUD 44,000 - 46,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development

Job summary

Westmead Hospital in Sydney’s Western Sydney region is seeking a Social Worker to deliver high‑level psychosocial care within the SMART inpatient rehabilitation team. You will provide senior clinical expertise, lead education initiatives and contribute to service improvement across complex rehabilitation pathways.

You will support patients and families with multifaceted psychosocial needs, advocate for care plans and participate in after-hours on-call and supervision activities within a

Qualifications

• Degree in Social Work required with eligibility for AASW membership.
• Strong skills in psychosocial assessment, counselling and crisis intervention.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-level clinical support to patients and families across the Cancer and Chronic Care Team.
• Complete complex psychosocial assessments and provide counselling, advocacy, crisis intervention and bereavement support.
• Coordinate care with medical, nursing and allied health teams to manage risk and ensure patient safety.
• Provide clinical education, consultation and supervision to Social Work staff and students.

Skills

psychosocial assessment

counselling

crisis intervention

advocacy

Education

Degree in Social Work

AASW eligibility

Job description

Deliver high-level psychosocial care in a specialist rehabilitation setting.

Join a collaborative multidisciplinary team at Westmead Hospital.

Lead clinical practice, education and service improvement initiatives.

Use your expertise to support complex patients and families while shaping high-quality rehabilitation care.

Employment Type:TemporaryPart Time (up to 8 January 2027)
Position Classification:Social Worker Level 3
Remuneration:$61.31 - $63.29 per hour
Hours Per Week:14
Location: Westmead Hospital

Where you'll be working

The SMART Social Work position provides high-quality care to patients and families across Western Sydney Local Health District. You will join a supportive department with a positive team culture that values professional, personal and career development.

The Specialist Management Acute Rehabilitation Treatment (SMART) inpatient team at Westmead Hospital works closely with medical, nursing and allied health professionals to provide person-centred care to patients with complex rehabilitation needs. This role offers the opportunity to use your senior clinical expertise in a collaborative environment where advocacy and professional judgement make a real difference.

Work within a specialist inpatient rehabilitation service supporting patients and families with complex needs.

Work collaboratively with medical, nursing and allied health teams to provide safe, coordinated and high-quality patient care.

Provide senior clinical consultation on complex psychosocial, clinical and medico-legal matters.

Support learning through supervision, education, evidence-based practice and professional development.

Contribute to quality improvement, program development, policies and clinical initiatives.

Located minutes from Parramatta CBD, Westmead offers heritage sites, beautiful parks and waterways. Westmead Hospital is currently part of a $1.1 billion redevelopment program and, together with its partners, will form one of Australia's largest health, education, research and training precincts.

What you'll be doing

As a Social Worker, you will provide high-level clinical support to patients, families and carers across the Cancer and Chronic Care Team at Westmead. You will use your clinical expertise, professional judgement and evidence-based practice to manage complex psychosocial needs and provide person-centred care.

The team provides Social Work services across Oncology, Palliative Care, Haematology, Bone Marrow Transplant, T-Cell Therapy, Youth Cancer Services, Cardiology, Respiratory, Cystic Fibrosis, Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases and General Mixed Medical Wards. Team coverage and After Hours Crisis On Call provide opportunities to broaden your clinical skills and experience.

Complete complex psychosocial assessments and provide counselling, advocacy, crisis intervention, bereavement support and referrals.

Support patients and families experiencing complex issues including elder abuse, guardianship, domestic and family violence, child protection, sudden loss and deterioration.

Work closely with medical, nursing and allied health teams to coordinate care, manage risk and support patient safety.

Provide clinical education, consultation and supervision to Social Work staff and students, supporting professional development.

Contribute to service development, quality improvement, research, education, evaluation and evidence-based practice.

What WSLHD Allied Health will offer you

You will join a supportive, inclusive and caring team with strong opportunities for professional and career development.

Regular clinical supervision, monthly staff development sessions and access to external education and training.

Opportunities to lead and participate in research through established university partnerships and support from a WSLHD Professor of Allied Health.

Access to WSLHD-funded professional development programs, including FLASH Allied Health Leadership, Accelerated Implementation Methodology (AIM) for project and change management, and sparQ for safety, quality and leadership development.

Make a difference with NSW Health

Bring your experience, compassion and clinical expertise to a role where your work can make a lasting difference to patients, families and the wider multidisciplinary team. Join NSW Health and be part of a supportive environment that values professional growth, collaboration, innovation and delivering better outcomes for the community.

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

Selection Criteria

Demonstrated understanding of psychosocial issues associated with acute and chronic illness in rehabilitation medicine and demonstrated high level knowledge and skills in social work assessment, crisis intervention including trauma, counselling, case management for patients/families with illness adjustment, domestic violence, child protection, end of life care and bereavement support.

Demonstrated experience in staff and student supervision.

Experience in developing and implementing policies and procedures for service improvement and skills in providing training and education.

Well-developed time management skills with excellent written and verbal communication, including report writing skills and high level computer literacy.

Demonstrated excellent negotiation, decision making and advocacy skills including the ability to interact constructively and collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders, throughout all organisational levels

Demonstrated ability to initiate, lead, complete and implement quality improvement initiatives and service evaluation processes and lead ongoing quality improvement activities with other staff.

Demonstrated understanding of issues associated with working with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse client groups.

Participation in the After Hours Crisis On-Call Social Work Service.

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

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: In accordance with NSW Health policy, priority will be given to Australian citizens and permanent residents. A person who is not an Australian citizen or permanent resident is only eligible for temporary employment for a period not longer than the duration of their current visa or the advertised position.

NSW Health acknowledges the people of the many traditional countries and language groups of New South Wales. It acknowledges the wisdom of Elders past and present, and pays respect to all Aboriginal communities of today.