Position overview

The RACS Inpatient Social Work Team is responsible for the care and provision of psychosocial support for patients across the Rehabilitation Wards of University of Canberra Hospital, and the Acute Care of the Elderly Wards of Canberra Hospital. The Social Work Allied Health Assistant (AHA 3) plays a key role in the implementation of referrals, provision of practical supports, and coordination of matters with various stakeholders as a component of the broader social work intervention.

The Social Work Allied Health Assistant (AHA 3) is expected to have a general understanding of issues that impact the psychosocial well-being of patients and their family/carer, including adjustment to changes in health, ageing and disability.  The role promotes positive client outcomes through the provision of high-quality clinical services across a range of areas or units and working in a multidisciplinary team.

The Social Work Allied Health Assistant 3 (AHA 3) will receive limited supervision, is competent within their discipline, exercises initiative and judgement, requires limited guidance and is expected to plan and complete work independently. Supervision is provided on an agreed basis and/or as required for unusual or complex to highly complex situations for which there are no documented precedents.

The work of an AHA3 may be subject to progress checks but where these checks are made, they are usually confined to ensuring that, in broad terms, satisfactory progress is being made. In a small number of cases, where the work is critical, checks may include an assessment of the integrity of tasks / activities as they are completed.

Key Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Under general to limited supervision of a Social Worker, the Social Work Allied Health Assistant Level 3 will:

1. Participate in the implementation of social work interventions, which may include external referral, provision of practical supports or information as directed by a Social Worker.
2. Provide accurate and timely handover to the social worker regarding the client’s progress.
3. Work effectively and collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary team.
4. Contribute to the evaluation of clinical processes to ensure effective and efficient person-centered care.
5. Contribute to the coordination and facilitation of patient related matters with external stakeholders, including the ACT Civil & Administrative Tribunal, and Residential Care Facilities.
6. Ensure compliant documentation within the patient’s Digital Health Record, including activity data.
7. Perform administrative tasks, as required.
8. Operate a variety of Microsoft Office Suite and Business applications
9. Identify opportunities for and lead professional development, Quality Improvement, and / or participate in research activities.
10. Undertake other duties appropriate to this level of classification which contribute to the operation of the organisation.

Competencies

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to the following.

• Understanding of routine to specialised psychosocial interventions which may occur in the fields of rehabilitation and aged care social work.
• Effective communication strategies to engage with a broad range of people – via verbal and written means.
• Interpersonal skills to cooperate, collaborate and negotiate with patients, families and team members to solve problems
• Be accountable for completion of clinical and non-clinical tasks
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage own work according to local business rules and organisational requirements
• Ability to identify and mitigate risk that my effect day to day tasks
• Ability to identify circumstances that require additional input from a Social Worker.
• Ability to provide supervision & support to AHA students and staff under the limited supervision of a Social Worker.
• Knowledge of CHS credentialling and Allied Health Supervision frameworks.

Qualifications

Essential

• Appropriate Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance including the successful completion of an Allied Health Assistant Social Work skill set (or equivalent experience), qualifications.

Desirable

• Hold a current Driver License
• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.

Experience

Essential

• A minimum of 3 years’ experience working professionally as an Allied Health Assistant (or relevant clinical experience).

Desirable

• Experience working in a hospital setting as an Allied Health Assistant is preferred
• Experience or knowledge of the CHS Exceptional Care Framework, and all other related frameworks.

Prior to commencement

Appointment to this position is conditional on being granted and retaining appropriate clearances:

• Pre-employment National Police Check.
• Current registration issued under the Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Act 2011 is required.
• Comply with Canberra Health Services Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination policy.
• Comply with CHS credentialing and scope of clinical practice requirements for allied health professionals.

Important information

All employees are required to:

• Adhere to the Canberra Health Services Values and the ACT Public Service Code of Conduct.
• Act in accordance and comply with all relevant Safety and Quality policies and procedures.
• Comply with all relevant clinical and/or competency standards.

CHS is leading the drive to digitally transform health service delivery in Australia through the implementation of a territory wide Digital Health Record. Computer literacy skills are required which are relevant to this role as you will be responsible for completing required documentation and becoming a proficient user of the Digital Health Record and/or other Information Technology systems; once proficient, you will need to remain current with changes, updates, and contingencies.

What you Require (Key Selection Criteria)

These are the key selection criteria for how you will be assessed in conjunction with your resumé and experience and must be addressed in your application:

1. Proven understanding of the role of Social Work and a demonstrated ability to carry out interventions in individual and group settings, under limited supervision from a Social Worker within a hospital environment.
2. Strong verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, demonstrated by the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people including patients, carers and staff, and ability to work in a team environment.
3. Demonstrated effective organisational skills, including an ability to plan, set and prioritise competing workloads and complete assigned tasks in a timely manner.
4. Demonstrated ability to provide administrative support and to use a variety of computer programs with a willingness to learn specific packages.
5. Demonstrates understanding of, and adherence to, safety and quality standards, work, health and safety (WH&S) and the positive patient experience. Displays behaviour consistent with CHS’s values of reliable, progressive, respectful and kind.

Work environment description

The following work environment description outlines the inherent requirements of the role and indicates how frequently each of these requirements would need to be performed. Please note that the ACT Public Service is committed to providing reasonable adjustments and ensuring all individuals have equal opportunities in the workplace.