ICU Social Work Clinical Lead Grade 4 - Parental leave cover

Bayside Health

Bayside Health is a public health service delivering high-quality care across every stage of life for close to 1.2 million people living in metropolitan Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula, Koo Wee Rup, Bass Coast and Southern Gippsland. We have more than 15 main sites, including hospitals, centres and clinics that provide comprehensive care from welcoming newborns to supporting older people and a full range of services in between. More than 22,000 dedicated staff are focused on providing exceptional, equitable, and locally connected care through shared expertise, compassion, and a commitment to continuous growth. Education and training are central to staff development as we encourage all employees to strive and thrive. Bayside Health was formed following the merger of Alfred Health, Bass Coast Health, Gippsland Southern Health Service, Kooweerup Regional Health Service and Peninsula Health on 1 January 2026.

• Fixed term parental leave position until January 2028
• Full time (80 hours per fortnight + monthly ADO) - part time will be considered
• Intensive Care Unit Grade 4 Social Worker  
• Located at The Alfred
• Great staff benefits!

The Department

The Social Work Department operates in accordance with the philosophy and goals of The Alfred. A focus on the quality of life and participation in care is a primary goal of the Department. 

Social Work provides a range of services including:

• Counselling
• Discharge Planning
• Crisis interventions
• Bereavement and Grief and loss counselling
• Family support/ Adjustment to hospitalisation 
• Care coordination
• Community liaison

The Role

The ICU Clinical Lead Social Worker is responsible for the provision of advanced social work services to patients and their families/significant others within Intensive Care Unit at The Alfred Hospital. The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at The Alfred is a specially staffed and equipped unit that provides care for patients with life threatening or potentially life threatening conditions. We have one of Australia's leading Intensive Care Units, admitting more than 3,000 patients a year. The Alfred ICU provides a number of statewide services to patients.

This is an exciting role that involves leading the Social work team within the ICU. The role will involve looking at the ever changing needs of the unit and evaluating and supporting the delivery of a new model of care for Social work in the ICU. The successful applicant will have proven leadership experience and be able to understand the complexities involved in delivering patient centred care in a high risk setting. The successful applicant will also need to have extensive knowledge in working in a clinical setting and have an advanced understanding of working in an ICU. 

The position works in a very strong multi-disciplinary team environment providing advanced social work services including the ability to liaise, actively engage and collaborate with health professionals, family members and community agencies. The successful applicant will provide comprehensive high-level psychosocial assessments through the use of clinical reasoning, to formulate and facilitate timely quality discharge plans. The successful applicant will need advanced skills in grief and loss counselling and bereavement support. Skills and experience in identifying and intervening early with issues of risk are required (for example, Family violence, Child safety and the NDIS). Proficiency in working with an electronic medical records will be essential to this role. The successful candidate will also be responsible for maintaining an advanced caseload and provide timely quality patient care. This role will sit within the Social work department at Alfred Health. The ability to work one weekend day per month will be required for this role.

Please address the Key Selection Criteria in your application.

Qualifications & Experiences Required

• Approved degree in Social Work and evidence of eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
• Advanced social work skills and experience as evidenced by proven, demonstrated post-qualifying experience and a demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development.
• Would normally have at least 10 years experience in hospital Social work 
• Knowledge of current hospital social work practices.
• Evidence of involvement in and/or understanding of principles of research and evaluation.
• Current Victorian Drivers License.
• A current Working with Children’s check is required to undertake this role
• Post Graduate qualifications at a minimum of a Masters level or working towards completion including a demonstrated interest in continual learning opportunities and development.  

Staff Benefits

• Salary packaging & novated leasing through Maxxia
• Onsite car & bike parking opportunities, deducted pre-tax!! *subject to availability
• Access for you and your family to an extensive network of health and fitness facilities through Fitness Passport membership
• Enjoy excellent onsite fitness facilities at The Alfred via ProSport (pre-tax memberships)
• Childcare services at The Alfred managed by KU Children’s Services

If applicable, please specify specific requirements that you require in your cover letter or CV.

For enquiries regarding this position, please contact Devereaux de Silva,Social Work Manager on (03) 9076 3026

Applications close 11pm AEDT, Friday 13th November 2026.

We embrace diversity and strive to have a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We actively encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, and people of all genders, sexualities, and cultural backgrounds.

If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process, or require an alternative format to any of the application materials, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on this ad.

In accordance with the Health Services Amendment (Mandatory Vaccination of Healthcare Workers) Act 2020, health care workers in Category A or B roles (as determined by the department’s risk ratings) are required to be vaccinated against influenza or hold an acceptable medical exemption.