MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKER

Highway Hospice; Durban; On-site; ZAR 180,000 - 300,000; Part time

Job summary

Highway Hospice in Durban invites a compassionate Medical Social Worker for part-time or full-time work within our Psychosocial Services Team. You will provide professional social work services, palliative care counselling, grief and bereavement support, and family guidance.

The role requires a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), SACSSP registration, 2–3 years post-qualification experience, police clearance, a valid driver’s license, and fluency in English and isiZulu.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree.
• SACSSP registration with current year proof.
• 2–3 years post-qualification experience in community/health/NGO/palliative/HIV/TB sector.
• Valid police clearance and driver’s license required for home visits.
• Fluent in spoken/written English and isiZulu.
• Proficient report-writing and case documentation.

Responsibilities

• Conduct psychosocial assessments for palliative patients and families.
• Provide grief and bereavement support through sessions and groups.
• Engage in community outreach and networking with local services.
• Maintain confidential case notes, registers, and monthly reports.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and capacity-building training.

Skills

Counselling

Psychosocial assessment

Report writing

English & isiZulu language

Computer literacy

Independent working style

Batho Pele principles

Palliative care values

Education

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Job description

Medical Social Worker (Part Time and Full Time)

About Highway Hospice

Highway Hospice is a registered non-profit organisation that has served Durban for over forty years, providing compassionate palliative and end-of-life care to patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families. Our Psychosocial Services Department works as part of an interdisciplinary team to ensure holistic physical, emotional, social, and spiritual support for both adults and children.

The Role/Key Responsibilities

We are seeking a compassionate, qualified, and experienced Medical Social Worker to join our Psychosocial Services Team. The successful candidate will provide professional social work services, palliative care counselling, grief and bereavement support, and family guidance.

• Medical Social Work & Palliative Care: Conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments for palliative patients and families; provide counselling on disclosure, stigma, and treatment adherence; facilitate family conference, difficult conversations, and end-of-life care planning; ensure child safety by identifying and referring abused children.
• Grief & Bereavement Support: Provide structured grief and bereavement support to adults and children through in-person sessions, support groups, and telephonic counselling.
• Community Outreach & Networking: Participate in community outreach, health education, and awareness campaigns; identify vulnerable households and refer them to SASSA, clinics, and the Department of Social Development (DSD); build strong collaborative relationships with Ward Councillors and local NGOs.
• Administration & Case Management: Maintain precise professional process notes, registers, and client files adhering to confidentiality guidelines under the SACSSP Code of Ethics; compile accurate monthly management, monitoring, and evaluation reports; ensure compliance with all Hospice policies.
• Interdisciplinary Teamwork: Actively participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, case discussions, debriefing sessions, and ongoing capacity-building training while maintaining an agreed work plan with the Manager.

Requirements & Qualifications

To be considered for this role, you must meet the following criteria:

• Qualification: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree.
• Professional Registration: Compulsory registration as a Social Worker with the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP), including valid proof of payment/receipt for the current year.
• Experience: Minimum of 2-3 years post-qualification experience in a community, health, NGO, palliative care, or HIV/TB sector setting.
• Clearances & Licensing: Valid police clearance and a valid driver’s license (compulsory for conducting home visits and community outreach).
• Skills & Capabilities: Excellent counselling, psychosocial assessment, and report-writing skills; fluent in spoken and written English and isiZulu; computer literate; physically fit to perform community work and home visits; sound understanding of Batho Pele principles and palliative care values.
• Personal Attributes: High emotional resilience and maturity to manage death, dying, and grief; strong professional boundaries combined with deep compassion; respect for culture, spirituality, and diversity; high ethical standards and confidentiality; ability to work independently while remaining an effective team player.

Conditions

• Remuneration market-related

Highway Hospice is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to the Employment Equity Act. Preference may be given to candidates from designated groups. People with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Highway Hospice will process your personal information in line with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). By applying, you consent to our collecting and processing your personal information for recruitment purposes.