Social Work Manager

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 are world-renowned for our research and specialist work in cancer, liver transplantation, spinal cord injuries, neurology, endocrinology, mental health and rehabilitation. We have a highly engaged, diverse and collaborative workforce that is unified by our goal to help people live healthy and fulfilled lives.
 
About Allied Health
Allied Health at Austin Health employs over 1,000 health professionals across 27 disciplines, broadly known as the therapies and sciences, who work as key members of the multidisciplinary team aiming to provide the best outcomes for patients via preventing, diagnosing and treating a range of healthcare conditions. Our staff support patients at every stage of their healthcare journey across Austin Health with services provided across all three sites (acute and sub-acute), in the ambulatory setting, at home and in the community.

The Social Work Department is committed to working with and enabling patients, their families and carers to achieve the best possible outcomes for personal and social wellbeing in the context of illness, disability, treatment and recovery. The Social Work team collaborate effectively with the broader treatment team, community providers and services to ensure a seamless transition of patients from the hospital environment back into the community.
 
About the role
As the Social Work Manager, you will be part of the Allied Health senior leadership team, reporting to the Chief Allied Health Officer. You will lead the Social Work department, creating a clear vision and strategic direction. 
 
A regular day will see you:
 

• Plan and develop the delivery of social work services at Austin Health, in alignment with the Allied Health and broader Austin Health strategic plans
• Provide professional leadership and accountability for the standards of professional practice for all social workers in Allied Health
• Actively participate in interdisciplinary committees and working groups (locally, organisation wide and professionally)
• Demonstrate accountability for the preparation, monitoring, delivery and evaluation of department service budgets, with the considering to the impact on the broader organisation 
• Promote and ensure a safe and healthy workforce for staff and patients
• Actively support departmental research to contribute to the broader evidence-based knowledge of social work practice.

About you
To be successful in this role, you'll bring with you:
 

• Masters Degree in Social Work
• Current eligibility for the Australian Association of Social Workers membership 
• Demonstrated skills in leading and developing a Social Work model for clinical service delivery in a large public health setting
• Proven leadership capability and a demonstrated commitment to quality, excellence and best practice in health service delivery
• Demonstrated ability to clearly identify and articulate priorities with complex problems and generate solutions to achieve goals
• Operational management experience of a large department, including human resource and financial management
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills which promote teamwork and a proven ability to use clinical, management and financial information systems.

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, easy access via public transport, discounted car parking and end of journey facilities for cyclists at the Austin Hospital site
• Five weeks annual leave (pro-rata for part time), plus purchased leave options

Inclusion at Austin Health
We celebrate, value, and include people of all backgrounds, genders, identities, cultures, bodies and abilities. We welcome and support applications from anyone identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, physically or culturally diverse, LGBTQIA+, and people of any age.

Work with us!
If you feel this role is right for you, we encourage your early application. 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: Brit Gordon (Chief Allied Health Officer) on 0435 655 834 or brit.gordon@austin.org.au

Interested in finding out more about this opportunity? Click here to view the position description for further details.

Application closing date: 15 July 2024