Alfred Health
Alfred Health is a leader in health care delivery, improvement, research and education. We are the main provider of health services to people living in the inner southeast suburbs of Melbourne, from ambulatory to inpatient and home and community-based services.
Permanent Position
Part-time at 40 hours per fortnight
Social Worker Grade 2 Classification (SC21-SC24)
Inclusion Health Hepatitis C Social Worker Alfred Hospital
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 aims to identify and assist in addressing the psychosocial impacts of illness and hospitalisation for patients and their families by providing a range of services, such as counselling support, grief and loss support, advocacy, service provision and complex and considered discharge planning.
Inclusion Health Program
The Inclusion Health Program sits within the Department of Infectious Diseases and is focused on engaging marginalised populations in healthcare. The program’s target population is people who inject drugs (PWID), people living with Hepatitis C and people living with HIV who are not currently engaged in care. The Inclusion Health Program is currently undertaking a pilot program, focused on people who inject drugs (PWID) who have acute infections requiring hospitalisation. These admissions often require complex management of substance use, mental health and complex psycho-social issues.
The Position Summary
The position sits within the Infectious Diseases Social Work Team and the Inclusion Health Program and provides a Social Work service to patients of the Inclusion Health Program. The Inclusion Health team are focused on providing community-based treatment options for PWID who are on long-term antibiotic treatment. The role involves undertaking, complex discharge planning and casework to support individuals with complex psychosocial needs to engage in health care across inpatient, outpatient and community settings. The role will focus on working with PWID admitted to hospital and provide complex discharge planning where there are significant barriers to discharge including inadequate housing, formal support networks and primary health care with the aim that once medically able they can access ongoing treatment in a community setting.
The role involves working with a multiple disciplinary team including working closely with a specialist nursing team and with the support of an Allied Health Assistant. The development and maintenance of linkages with relevant community agencies is a central component of this role.
Qualifications and Experience Required
- 3+ years post qualifying Social Work experience
- Demonstrated understanding of the complex psychosocial issues impacting individuals with a Blood Bourne Virus (BBV) and PWID and the subsequent barriers to engagement in health care
- Knowledge of hospital admission and discharge planning process and experience working within a multi-disciplinary team
- The successful applicant will also need to have experience in undertaking complex discharge planning casework and counselling, with a particular emphasis on stigma and adjustment to illness
- Demonstrated experience in Social Work student supervision and an interest and commitment in the professional supervision of staff
Staff Benefits
Salary Packaging
Discounted Health Insurance and well-bring benefits
Onsite Gym (Alfred Hospital)
Staff Car Parking (subject to availability)
Close to shops and public transport
Please contact Tess McAloon- Infectious Diseases Social Work Team Leader on 9076 3026
Applications close Tuesday, 23 April 2024
Alfred Health is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce that reflects the community we serve. Applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are encouraged.
In accordance with the Health Minister's Covid-19 Mandatory Vaccination Order, all Alfred Health employees are required to be fully vaccinated (3 doses) for COVID-19 or hold an acceptable medical exemption. Furthermore, 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.
Website: www.alfredhealth.org.au