Senior Social Worker

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• Opportunity for a Senior Social Worker to join our specialist public mental health eating disorders team.  
• Part-time, permanent position (15.2 hours p/w), flexible working days

• Heidelberg location

• Base salary + salary packaging + super + 5 weeks annual leave  

Austin Health is the major provider of tertiary health services, health professional education and research across three campuses in the north-east of Melbourne and statewide. We have a highly engaged, diverse and collaborative workforce that is unified by our goal to help people live healthy and fulfilled lives.

About the Mental Health Division   

The division provides care and services through a comprehensive range of teams, to meet the needs of mental health consumers and carers throughout Victoria.  All services work within a clinical framework that promotes recovery-oriented practice and supported decision making.

About the Eating Disorders Program

The Austin Eating Disorders Program (EDP) is part of the Acute Psychiatric Unit located on the Austin Hospital Campus.  The EDP is an inpatient program and caters for adults with severe and enduring eating disorders who require a supportive therapeutic program to recover their health and develop their understanding of the pathways to recovery.  The team is multidisciplinary and includes a Psychiatrist, Registrar, Psychologist, Occupational Therapist, Dietician, and Nurses.

About the role  

The role has generic and social work specific requirements. The Senior Social Worker will be expected to conduct discipline specific assessments and be involved in the delivery of the Program through supportive meal supervision and therapeutic groups.  

A regular day will see you:  

• Deliver a range of short-medium term therapeutic, evidence-based interventions in line with relevant qualifications and scope of practice.  

• Deliver best practice brief therapeutic interventions designed to optimise outcomes for consumers

• Contribute to eating disorder programs/groups, demonstrate experience in group facilitation and deliver psycho education programs (weekly group sessions)

• Work within the multidisciplinary team to support and participate in the operation of the eating disorders program through participation in Ward Round and other processes

About you  

You will be someone with excellent communication, interpersonal and collaboration skills, who takes a highly compassionate approach to their work.   

You will bring with you:  

• An approved tertiary qualification in Social Work and eligibility for membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASA)
• At least 7 years of relevant experience 
• A sound understanding of eating disorders and their impact on social functioning and health
• Sound knowledge of the Victorian Mental Health and Wellbeing Act (2022) and other relevant legislation and policies
• An understanding of Recovery-Oriented Practice in Mental Health  
• A current Victorian Driver’s License and the ability to drive a work vehicle  

Our benefits

Working at Austin Health means enjoying a strong sense of purpose, engaging in meaningful work every day. Our people also receive a variety of rewarding benefits, including:

• Greater take-home pay through generous salary packaging, for living expenses, meals, and holiday accommodation.
• A suite of wellness initiatives designed to support you, including discounted fitness memberships and special offers on health insurance, and a comprehensive wellbeing program.
• Onsite childcare at Austin Hospital, easy access via public transport and car parking options.
• Mentoring and career development opportunities.
• Five weeks annual leave, plus purchased leave options. 

Work with us!

We are committed to cultural safety and health equity for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander People. We celebrate, value, and include people of all backgrounds, genders, identities, cultures, bodies, and abilities. We welcome and support applications from talented people identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, people with disability, neurodiverse people, LGBTQIA+ and people of all ages and cultures.

If you feel this role is right for you, we encourage your early application. Even if you don’t meet every single requirement, we encourage you to apply. What matters most is your passion, your drive and your willingness to learn and contribute. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place prior to the closing date. This means we reserve the right to close a job ad prior to the advertised closing date.

All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory National Police Check and if required, a Working With Children Check. If you require any reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process, you are welcome to reach out to the hiring manager: Melissa Leslie, Nurse Unit Manager at melissa.leslie@austin.org.au.

Interested in finding out more about this opportunity? Read the position description for further details.

Application closing date: 5 January 2025