Support our young patients and their families through health challenges

Vacancy Reference No. 742634

This is an Fixed term Part Time appointment at 53.2 hours, with the possibility of extension and/or permanency.

We currently have one part time (0.7 FTE) fixed term position until March 2027, with possibility of extension and or permanency.

This is a seven day a week service including weekday, weekend and evening shifts (evening shifts end at 22:30pm with no night shifts). The roster is a fixed four week rolling roster providing predictable shift pattern. Penalty rates and additional leave allowances due to shift work (as per the award) will apply.

About the Role

Perth Children’s Hospital and Neonatology are seeking a Senior Social Worker to join our team and provide crucial support  within the Emergency Department. As a Senior Social Worker, you will help children and families navigate the challenges that can arise from their health condition.

This is a fast-paced role responding to diverse and varied circumstances. You will balance autonomy, along with collaboration working closely with medical, mental health and nursing colleagues to respond to complex situations involving trauma, acute medical events, situational crisis and unexpected presentations.

Key responsibilities include:

• Working collaboratively as a multidisciplinary team member to conduct psychosocial assessments and carry out interventions with patients and their families
• Advocating for patients during crisis presentations and traumatic situations.
• Discharge planning by negotiating and bridging communication between young patients and their families and community service providers.
• Offering support and education to families on parenting approaches and the impact of medical trauma.
• Providing counselling advocacy and support to families to access additional family services.

Please note a tertiary qualification in Social Work and eligibility for full membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers is a requirement for this role.

Resources can be provided to support transition from an adult care environment.

About our Department

Based at Perth Children’s Hospital, our dedicated team of Social Workers, Aboriginal Health Liaison Officers and Welfare Officers offer a wide range of services to inpatients and outpatients from birth to 16 years of age.

Designed to assist families in managing the practical, personal, and emotional impacts of illness, disability, and hospitalisation, our comprehensive services include specialist counselling and crisis assistance, advocacy for patient needs, education, liaison with other services and referral to community-based resources.

Health issues can deeply impact the emotional and social well-being of children and their families. As part of a holistic approach to each child’s care, we work closely with a medical, nursing, and allied health professionals to assess needs and provide compassionate support.

We believe that every child deserves the best possible start in life, and at times we continue to work with some families even after they leave the hospital, which includes travelling to support rural and regionally based out-patients.

How to apply: We welcome your application via the ‘Apply for Job’ button at the bottom of this page. Your application should contain the following:

• A copy of your current CV outlining your most recent and relevant work experience.
• Evidence of a Tertiary qualification in Social Work and eligible for full membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers or the Society of Professional Social Workers OR Evidence from the AASW of assessment of an overseas social work qualification and AASW membership eligibility.
• The name, email and contact details of two referees who can be contacted to provide a confidential report (we will contact you and seek your confirmation prior to contacting your listed referees).

Within the application system you will be presented with the following three questions. Please review the Essential and Desirable Selection Criteria outlined in the attached Job Description Form carefully when preparing your response.  The question allows you to showcase your relevant skills and experiences in detail, with a generous word limit of 500 words for your response. 

1. Describe an example of a time when you have provided an advanced social work service to a child and their family in crisis, what interventions did you provide? What outcome resulted for the child, family and organisation? How did the nature of the crisis impact your assessment?

1. In this role, you will be required to work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams, manage client caseloads effectively and act as a consultant and educator. Can you provide an example of a situation where you demonstrated strong interpersonal skills while working with a multidisciplinary team to manage a client’s case? How did you ensure effective collaboration, efficient case-load management and effectively educate and consult with the team including health professionals, students and other stakeholders in the process?
2. Are you available for weekday, weekend and evening shifts?

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.

Selection Criteria: Please see the attached Job Description Form. 

For Further Job Related Information: We encourage you to contact Joanne McNamara on joanne.mcnamara@health.wa.gov.au or 0436 595 377 or 08 6456 0413 with any specific questions related to this role.

Help in submitting your application: If you experience technical difficulties while applying online, please contact Employee Services on 13 44 77 for immediate assistance during business hours.

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. 

Sponsorship is not currently available for this position.

Other Conditions: (Integrity Clause) 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.

WA Health is committed to eliminating all forms of discrimination in the provision of our service. We embrace diversity and strongly encourage applications from people from culturally diverse backgrounds and people with disabilities.

In addition, we are committed to growing our Aboriginal workforce as part of WA Health Aboriginal Workforce Policy. As a measure to achieve equality, Section 51 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 applies to this position and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to apply.

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 CAHS 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.

This position 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

About CAHS

The Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS) is proud to be the leading service provider for paediatric healthcare in Western Australia, as the State’s only dedicated health service for infants, children, and young people. CAHS comprises three service areas: Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH) and Neonatology, Community Health, and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

With over 7000 employees, our services are delivered at PCH and King Edward Memorial Hospitals (KEMH), as well as across a network of more than 160 community clinics across the Perth metropolitan area.

For further information about the benefits of working for CAHS, please click here and for further information regarding CAHS’ services, please click here

CAHS values: To achieve our vision of healthy kids, healthy communities, CAHS is committed to providing a workplace culture that is driven and shaped by our values of Compassion, Collaboration, Equity, Respect, Excellence and Accountability. During the selection process you may be assessed on your ability to fulfil the responsibilities of this position in accordance with the values. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact the person named in this advert. 

Support for your interview process

CAHS is committed to ensuring that our interview process meets the access needs of all applicants. If you require any reasonable adjustments to accommodate a disability, enhance access, or support your inclusion and success during the interview, please contact the CAHS Talent Acquisition Team prior to your interview. 

You can reach the team via CAHS.talentacquisition@health.wa.gov.au or by calling 08 6456 0321. All enquiries will be treated confidentially. 

Lodgement is system generated. Any submissions on, or after, 4:00pm on the closing date will not be accepted. 

LATE OR EMAIL APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.