• Casual roles for Flexible, experienced healthcare Social Workers
• Palliative Care, Rehab and Older Persons Mental Health areas
• HammondCare is a NSW Health affiliated organisation with continuity of NSW Health entitlements

About HammondCare

HammondCare is an independent Christian charity that exists to improve the quality of life for people with complex health or aged care needs, regardless of their circumstances. We specialise in palliative care, rehabilitation, older persons' mental health, aged and dementia care, and other related health and aged care services. HammondCare’s sub-acute hospitals are located at Prairiewood, Greenwich and Wahroonga, with our community palliative care services stretching across Northern Sydney LHD and South-Western Sydney LHD.  Hammond Care is a NSW Health Affiliated Health Organisation (AHO) providing recognition and continuity of transferable NSW Health staff entitlements.

HammondCare seeks to embed evidence-based best practices in its services, which are provided through home care, sub-acute hospitals, community health and residential aged care. HammondCare works to provide its staff with support, education, responsibility and recognition, work / life balance, and satisfying roles.

About the role

We are seeking flexible, skilled and energetic Casual Social Workers to continue our high quality, comprehensive social work services, during periods of planned or unplanned staff leave. Locations range across Northern Sydney LHD (Greenwich, Wahroonga and Mona Vale) and Braeside Hospital (Prairiewood and SWSLHD) – preference for north or south regions can be expressed in your application.

Our clinical specialties are palliative care (inpatient and community), older persons mental health (inpatient), and rehabilitation (inpatient and outpatient / ambulatory care). This role requires the ability to work flexibly with different multi-disciplinary teams from different specialties, and quickly learn new systems and procedures. Hospital experience is highly valued, as is familiarity with the NSW Health EMR system. Travel to and across the regions are essential, and home visits using work vehicles are necessary in community roles. Availability is required for a minimum of 3 days weekly up to full-time, and school holiday availability is preferred. Fluency in languages other than English is an advantage. This role can work well for those studying part-time or wanting to balance between planned blocks of work and periods of not working.    

The role of the Level 1-2 Casual Social Worker is to work within the Mission in Action of HammondCare to ensure a high standard of Social Work service is provided to the clients of the Hospitals and community palliative care services, along with appropriate support to their carers, family, or support persons. The Social Worker will participate as a member of the multi-disciplinary team to ensure a client centred, evidence based, continuous quality improvement work environment, that is consistent with the values and ethics of HammondCare and the AASW.

The essence of this role

• To provide a holistic psychosocial perspective of the individual, supporting and facilitating the client and their carer/s to identify issues, adapt, plan, problem solve and manage through the course of a medical event or accident, mental health episode, hospital admission, new diagnosis or change in prognosis, terminal illness or end of life care.
• To provide skilled, effective and timely social work interventions, information, planning, advocacy and services to our clients and their carer/s, with a focus on quality of life and client self-determination.
• To participate as an effective member of the multi-disciplinary team in assessing the clients’ and carers’ goals and needs, and collaborating and planning to address these needs, including complex discharge planning, care support at home, and end of life decision making. 
• To ensure all documentation, communication and policy requirements are met, including maintenance of electronic handover systems and individual Electronic Medical Records.
• To maintain strong links with relevant staff from health and community services including  Community Palliative Care teams, Community Mental Health teams, nursing services and other service providers, to facilitate the seamless transfer of clients between services, the interchange of relevant information, and working relationships that best support the clients’ needs and goals.
• To actively engage with the Social Work Manager and team in communication, supervision, peer support, team and professional development, and quality improvement activities as required. 
• To participate as a member of the HammondCare team in the application of the organisation’s mission and values, in all interactions with clients, their support people, staff, volunteers and external stakeholders.  To work consistently within the values and ethics of HammondCare and the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).

About you  

Please briefly answer each criteria below under headings in your application.

Essential Criteria:

• Recognised tertiary Social Work qualification and eligibility for AASW membership. Qualifications obtained overseas must provide AASW Overseas Assessment number.
• Current working rights in Australia ie citizenship, permanent residency or appropriate working visa.
• Commitment to engage and align with HammondCare’s Mission in Action.
• Experience in providing Social Work Services in a hospital or community health setting - preferred palliative care / life limiting illness, mental health, and/or rehabilitation experience.
• Knowledge and experience in providing a range of social work interventions including comprehensive psychosocial assessment, counselling / emotional support, advocacy and service liaison, psychoeducation, complex discharge planning etc.
• Knowledge of relevant community services and referral systems including MAC, NDIS, ACAS etc.
• Demonstrated effective, concise communication and strong interpersonal skills (written, verbal and digital).
• Demonstrated self-motivation, organisation and time management skills.
• Flexibility and adaptability within different working environments and teams. Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Current unencumbered Drivers License and safe driving record, with the ability to travel across HammondCare sites. Capacity to attend clients at home if required.
• Can commit to blocks of casual work with a minimum 3 days weekly, preferably with availability during school holidays.

Desirable criteria:

• 3 years post graduate social work experience.   
• Desirable experience in using NSW Health EMR - electronic medical record program.

HammondCare is a NSW Health affiliated organisation, all NSW Health transferrable entitlements will be recognised.

Ready to make a change? Apply Now!

All applications must address the selection criteria (under headings) in addition to the CV.

For any specific queries please contact Lynn Shaw at lshaw@hammond.com.au

Free independent, confidential counselling services, wellbeing resources and webinars available through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for you and your family. HammondCare is committed to creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity and inclusion. We thrive on creating an equal employment environment where everyone from any background can be themselves.

All short-listed applicants for these positions will be asked to consent to a criminal record check, immunisation staff screening & vaccination compliance checks.