Role description Job ad reference Role title Status Unit/Branch/Division Hospital and Health Service GC146412 Social Worker - Senior Recurring vacancies may become available in other work units Permanent full time Please note, future vacancies of a temporary, full time and part time nature may also be filled through this recruitment process Social Work Department Cancer, Access and Support Services Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service Location Classification Salary Southport Please note, this position and appointments to future vacancies may be required to travel to and/or work from other locations within the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service HP4 $94 425 - $101 605 per annum Closing date Wednesday, 22 October 2014 Applications will remain current for 12 months Contact name Leigh Collier Contact number (07) 5687 3167 Online applications: www.health.qld.gov.au/workforus or www.smartjobs.qld.gov.au If you do not have access to the internet in order to apply online, please contact Recruitment Services on (07) 5537 0394. Purpose of the Role Provide advanced social work services. Clinical work undertaken will be of a complex and varied nature and duties will be performed with a high degree of independence. Contribute to discipline objectives which include ensuring appropriate standards of professional social work practice are maintained and innovation in service delivery to ensure safe, quality and sustainable consumer outcomes are provided. About Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service Gold Coast Health provides public health care services to more than 500,000 people living in one of Australia s most desired lifestyle destinations. With an annual budget exceeding $1 billion, the service oversees more than 800 beds across two hospitals, as well as a range of community facilities offering services in child, mental, oral and sexual health.
Gold Coast Health offers care for a growing city located in Queensland s famous south-east corner, with its world-class beaches and hinterland, emerging cultural scene, national sporting teams, several universities and family-friendly atmosphere. Our vision Gold Coast Health will use innovation and a patient centred approach to deliver world class care. Our purpose To provide safe, responsive and financially sustainable health services. Our values Integrity Accountability Serving our community Empowering people Working together Visit the Gold Coast Health website: http://www.health.qld.gov.au/goldcoasthealth/ About the Hospital and Health Service/Division/Service Line Social Work services are provided across all clinical divisions of the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service (GCHHS). Social Work roles in this work unit may be required to service any site of the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service according to organisational demand requirements. Visit the Area/Hospital and Health Service/Division website: http://www.health.qld.gov.au/goldcoasthealth/ Key Duties and Accountabilities Fulfil the responsibilities of this role in accordance with Queensland Public Service and the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service values. Utilise extensive clinical experience in a relevant area with high level of knowledge and clinical skills to; o Identify and assess biopsychosocial needs of patients/consumers families and carers, o Apply differential assessment methods to identify clinical risk appropriate to the client group, o Apply high level advocacy skills to address client need. Manage a complex caseload with limited access to direct clinical practice supervision and exercise independent professional judgement. Use available clinical evidence to inform practice and to implement quality improvement initiatives to improve clinical practice, adapting and modifying intervention strategies as required and contributing to the development of clinical practices, procedures and protocols. Utilise well developed communication, consultation and conflict resolution skills to work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team and promote the role of social work and to effect optimal health outcomes for patients/consumers. Provide specialist clinical advice to professional and operational supervisors, relevant service managers and other stakeholders regarding service delivery. Participate on relevant committees and contribute to service delivery improvement activities with the clinical division and the social work department including undertaking research. Provide Social Work leadership by acting as a role model for other staff by promoting professional standards, trust and open communication and by demonstrating self responsibility. Provide professional supervision for designated staff and ensure they practice in accordance with Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) professional standards and Code of Ethics. Assist the social work management team in activities to ensure the effective functioning of the service including provision of orientation to new staff; provide supervision, mentoring and support of less experienced staff. Actively participate in the service arrangements of the social work department including unit/department team meetings, on call services and data collection requirements. 2
Contribute to student education and training through provision of field placements. Assume extra responsibilities consistent with skill level and classification eg overseeing particular portfolio or project. Follow defined service quality standards, occupational health and safety policies and procedures relating to the work being undertaken in order to ensure high quality, safe services and workplaces. Take reasonable care for your own health and safety and take reasonable care to ensure that your acts or omissions do not adversely affect the health and safety of others. Implement and monitor the organisation s quality standards, occupational health and safety policies, procedures and programs and provide clinical governance in the relevant work area. Mandatory qualifications/professional registration/other requirements Appointment to this position requires proof of qualification and registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) or one of the following boards below. Certified copies of relevant qualification and registration must be provided to the appropriate supervisor/manager, prior to the commencement of clinical duties. It is a mandatory requirement for all social work positions that the candidate is eligible for membership to the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). Eligibility is dependent on the candidate having completed a university level Social Work degree accredited by the AASW, and that the candidate does not have any other outstanding professional competency or ethical issues or complaints known to the AASW which may preclude membership to the association. Certified copies of relevant qualification must be provided to the appropriate supervisor/manager, prior to the commencement of clinical duties. Overseas qualified Social Work candidates require a certification of eligibility letter from the AASW to confirm their eligibility for membership to the AASW. Overseas qualified applicants should include such evidence with their application to be considered for short listing in the selection process. Potential applicants are advised that the Commission for Children and Young People Act 2000 (Qld) requires Queensland Health to seek a working with children check from the Commission for Children and Young People prior to appointment to this position. Your appointment to the position is subject to the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian issuing you with a favourable suitability notice. Queensland Health will meet the cost of this check and future renewals. Out of hours work may be required as part of a roster or on call service. How you will be assessed You will be assessed on your ability to demonstrate the following key capabilities, knowledge and experience. Within the context of the responsibilities described above under Key Duties and Accountabilities, the ideal applicant will be someone who can demonstrate the following: Experience in the application of specialised social work knowledge to the delivery of social work services across perinatal services including maternity, neonatal intensive care and new born care services. Proven advanced social work professional competencies in differential assessment methods and therapeutic interventions including; biopsychosocial assessment and management, risk assessment and management, crisis intervention and management, continuity of care management, bereavement management and psychosocial therapeutic interventions therapy. Understanding of the legislation and policies relevant to the work particularly in relation to domestic violence, child protection, family law, substance misuse and perinatal loss. High level of communication, interpersonal and consultative skills required to work co-operatively and effectively in a multidisciplinary team and to promote the role of social work across the service. Ability to provide advice regarding social work issues in the division to operational and professional supervisors. Ability to exercise independent clinical judgment, manage an increasingly complex caseload autonomously beyond that of routine day to day practice and provide advice to staff and students on clinical issues. Ability to lead the development and implementation of continuous quality improvement initiatives informed through evidence based practice and evaluation of consumer outcomes. Knowledge of the principles and components of social work professional supervision and demonstrate a capacity to provide professional supervision and ability to meet accountability requirements in reporting and advising social work management team of relevant professional issues identified within their supervisory role. 3
Your application Please provide the following information to the panel to assess your suitability: A short statement (maximum 1 2 pages) on how your experience, abilities, knowledge and personal qualities are relevant for the role, taking into account the key responsibilities and attributes noted in the How you will be assessed? section. Your current CV or resume, including the names and contact details of two referees. You must seek approval prior to nominating a person as a referee. Referees should have a thorough knowledge of your capabilities, work performance and conduct within the previous two years, and it is preferable to include your current/immediate/past supervisor. Only those persons eligible to work in Australia may be employed by Queensland Health. Prospective employees are required to provide proof of identity and documentary evidence of their right to work in Australia. Additional information Pre-employment screening Pre-employment screening, including criminal history and discipline history checks, may be undertaken on persons recommended for employment. Roles providing health, counselling and support services mainly to children will require a Blue Card, unless otherwise exempt. Only those persons eligible to work in Australia may be employed by Queensland Health. All offers of employment are subject to the provision of adequate working rights in Australia in accordance with the granted visa s employment conditions and hours of work. Employment will not commence until sufficient evidence has been provided to Queensland Health e.g. copy of the visa, which provides details of the right to work in Australia and to what capacity as dictated by the offer. An offer of employment will be withdrawn immediately by Queensland Health should you not be granted a visa with such working rights without prejudice. Health professional roles involving delivery of health services to children and youth All relevant health professionals who in the course of their duties formulate a reasonable suspicion that a child or youth has been abused or neglected in their home/community environment, have a legislative and a duty of care obligation to immediately report such concerns to Child Safety Services, Department of Communities. Disclosure of Previous Employment as a Lobbyist Applicants will be required to give a statement of their employment as a lobbyist within one (1) month of taking up the appointment. Details are available at http://www.psc.qld.gov.au/library/document/policy/lobbyist-disclosure-policy.pdf Probation Employees who are permanently appointed to Queensland Health may be required to undertake a period of probation appropriate to the appointment. Disclosure Applicants may be required to disclose any pre-existing illness or injury which may impact on their ability to perform the role. Details are available in section 571 of the Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 (http://www.justice.qld.gov.au/fair-and-safe-work/workers-compensation-and-rehabilitation/workerscompensation-and-rehabilitation-legislation/workers-compensation-and-rehabilitation-act-2003) 4