This is for a Fixed Term Full Time appointment until the 30/06/2029 with the possibility of extension(s) and/or permanency.

Position Profile: The WA Country Health Service (WACHS) is seeking an experienced and innovative Social Work leader to establish and lead a new Extended Hours Virtual Social Work Service focussed on Family and Domestic Violence (FDV) and Child Safety/Protection based in Perth. This exciting three-year pilot program will provide social work support to rural and remote hospitals and emergency departments across country Western Australia, ensuring patients have timely access to expert intervention when and where it is needed most.

The role is responsible for the development, implementation and operational leadership of this service, shaping a contemporary model of care that extends access to social work expertise beyond traditional business hours. Working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, health services and external agencies, the role will drive service innovation, workforce development, clinical excellence and continuous improvement throughout the pilot period.

The successful applicant will have a unique opportunity to lead the establishment and evaluation of this innovative three-year pilot, contributing to evidence generation and future service planning that will inform the long-term delivery of virtual social work services across WACHS.

Area Profile: The WA Country Health Service (WACHS) is the largest country health system in Australia and one of the biggest in the world, providing health services to approximately half a million people, including 45,000 Aboriginal people, over a vast two and a half million square kilometre area. The organisation comprises seven regions, with a strong network of public hospitals, health services and health centres located across rural and remote Western Australia. Our core business is the provision of quality, accessible health services to country WA residents and visitors.

Suitability Criteria:
Suitability recognises that a range of factors contribute to merit, including skills, knowledge, abilities, behaviours, ethical alignment and relevant operational requirements. The suitability requirements below are derived from the Job Description Form and define what will be assessed to determine your suitability for the role:

Applicants should address the following criteria in no more than 3-4 pages:
•    Demonstrated experience leading and managing a multidisciplinary or social work team, including workforce planning, recruitment, performance management, staff development, and fostering a positive team culture.
•    Extensive experience in the assessment and management of complex family and domestic violence (FDV), child safety/protection, and vulnerable patient presentations within hospital and emergency department settings with knowledge of the rural healthcare setting.
•    Demonstrated experience in clinical governance, risk management, quality improvement and service evaluation, including the development of policies, procedures, clinical pathways and performance reporting to support safe and effective service delivery.
•    Demonstrated ability to establish, implement and evaluate new services or programs, including leading change initiatives and contributing to innovative models of care that improve patient outcomes and service access.

Essential Qualifications
•    Tertiary qualification in Social Work.
•    Eligibility for full membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).

Employee Benefits: In addition to the great salary our employees enjoy an amazing range of benefits which may include (in line with operational requirements):

• 12% employer contributed superannuation into a fund of your choice. For further information on superannuation click here
• Access to generous salary packaging arrangements
• Professional Development Opportunities and Study Leave/assistance
• Flexible working arrangements
• Flexible leave arrangements
• Other professional and location based allowances

For Further Job Related Information:  We encourage you to contact Anna McDonald on 0427 942 173.

Applicants are required to provide:

• A statement addressing the suitability criteria, (maximum 4 pages) outlining your skills, experience, knowledge and what you will bring to the role
• A detailed curriculum vitae (CV) summarising your relevant experience and ability to meet the position requirements
• The names and contact details of two (2) professional referees, preferably including your current or most recent manager

These documents should be complete and ready to attach prior to applying online. Please ensure you allow sufficient time to complete the online application process as you will be required to answer various questions and attach your documentation.

Further information about the role, including key duties please see the Job Description Form (available online at www.jobs.health.wa.gov.au). 

Application Instructions:  Applicants are requested to apply online (www.jobs.health.wa.gov.au). 

Eligibility to Apply: To be eligible for appointment, applicants must have valid Australian work rights. This includes visa holders. Permanent appointments may be made to individuals who hold citizenship, permanent residency, or visas that enable ongoing employment in Australia. 

WA Health is committed to eliminating all forms of discrimination in the provision of our service. We embrace diversity and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally diverse backgrounds and people with disabilities.
WA Health supports flexible working practices within the context of a quality health service. WA Health is committed to a smoke free environment across all buildings, grounds and vehicles.

Other Conditions:  WA Health engages staff in positions of trust and responsibility. WA Health policies require applicants to undertake a criminal records screening and integrity checking as part of the appointment process. As well as undertaking a criminal record screening and integrity checking, you may also be required to undertake a working with children check (if required for the role) and a pre-employment health assessment. We may ask referees to comment on your integrity and past demonstration of ethical behaviour. Please note that adverse information does not necessarily disqualify an applicant but will be considered as part of the appointment process.

This vacancy is subject to a Western Australian Working With Children (WWC) Check. For further information please refer to the WWC website at: https://workingwithchildren.wa.gov.au

Please note this recruitment process requires completion of satisfactory Pre-Employment Health Assessment (PEHA).  Any offer of employment with WA Country Health Service (WACHS) is conditional on satisfactory PEHA to ensure you are able to perform the inherent requirements of the position. An unsatisfactory PEHA will result in the offer of employment being withdrawn.  Please see the attached WACHS PEHA Policy for further information.

Whilst this selection process will initially be used to fill the above vacancy, applicants found suitable for this position may be considered for other ‘similar’ vacancies within WACHS and/or the wider WA public sector. In addition to this, should the successful applicant decline or vacate the advertised vacancy, then the next most suitable applicant may also be selected from this process. Both of these options remain valid for a period of twelve (12) months from when the authorised delegate endorses the recruitment decision.

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce where every employee feels valued and empowered. We believe that a diverse team brings unique perspectives and drives innovation to meet our community’s needs. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and experiences to join us in shaping a more equitable future and as a measure to achieve equality, under sections 51, 66R and 66ZP of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984, encourage applications from people living with a disability, Aboriginal people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, women and youth (24 years of age and under).
If you experience difficulties while applying online, please contact Employee Services on 13 44 77 for immediate assistance during business hours.
 
Lodgement is system generated. Any submissions on, or after, 4:00pm will not be accepted.
 
LATE OR EMAIL APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.