Position overview

The Social Work Department, Allied Health, is a contemporary evidence-based service providing high quality inpatient and outpatient care at the Canberra Hospital. The Social Work Department is a team of approximately 40 FTE. We provide care and support to patients and families across critical and acute inpatient areas and specialised outpatients settings, including medical and surgical wards, intensive care unit, the emergency department, maternity and paediatrics.

Social Work Allied Health Assistants (SW AHA’s) have a general understanding of social work theory and practice, issues that impact the psychosocial well-being of patients and their family/carers, including adjustment to changes in health, ageing and disability. SW AHA’s have knowledge of, or can quickly acquire knowledge of, My Aged Care, National Disability Insurance Scheme, homelessness and community organisations that provide practical and other assistance to our patients. Though good communication skills, SW AHA’s provide valuable practical and administrative support to social workers such as facilitating accommodation, respite and residential placements for patient and families, making referrals for services and other assistance and communicate with wards, patients, families and service providers.

Clinical supervision is provided through team and department structure.

Key Responsibilities

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

1. Depending on the level of experience of the SW AHA, under the direction and supervision of or limited direction and supervision of the Social Worker you will perform Social Work Allied Health Assistant duties.
   • Facilitate the implementation of social work interventions, such as making referrals, providing information and practical resources as directed by a Social Worker.
   • Provide accurate and timely verbal reports to the social worker regarding the client’s progress.
   • Work effectively and collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary team.
   • Communicate and liaise with patients/clients, families and service providers.
   • Contribute to the evaluation of clinical processes to ensure effective and efficient person-centred care.
2. Maintain accurate clinical records of client contact in the health file.
3. Perform administrative tasks, as required, including maintaining statistical records, developing team resources and taking minutes in clinical case conferences.
4. Operate a variety of Microsoft and Business applications including Excel, Word and Outlook
5. Participate in Quality Improvement programs / projects, accreditation and annual performance management processes as required.
6. 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.

• Aptitude to work in a healthcare environment.
• Flexibility and adaptability to accommodate change.
• Good verbal communication skills including the ability to communicate well with patients, families and treating teams.
• Good written communication skills, including the ability to document clinical notes.
• High standard of ethical practice in line with CHS and AASW standards, such as maintaining patient confidentiality and making sound decisions.
• Ability to manage a workload, under direction of a social worker.
• Critical and self-reflection, including the ability to learn from situations and problems.
• Problem solving and negotiation skills.

Qualifications

Essential

• Relevant Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance, and preferably the successful completion of an Allied Health Assistant Social Work skill set or prepared to undertake, or recognised equivalent (such as partial completion of relevant tertiary qualifications, eg Social Work).

Desirable

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

Experience

Essential

• Minimum of 3 years’ relevant experience for an AHA3. No experience needed for AHA 2.
• Computer literacy skills.
• Driver’s licence (not mandatory for all areas).

Desirable

• Experience working in a health care or hospital setting.
• 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.
• Be available for weekend and/or after-hours work on a roster and shutdown.

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.

This position is a broad banded role and progression to an AHA 3 is subject to meeting specific qualifications and competencies, as well as the Department’s capacity to provide duties for the transition.

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. Understanding of basic social work theoretical principles and support systems and ability to implement social work interventions and other clinical and non-clinical duties, or ability to develop these skills, under the direction of a Social Worker.
2. Demonstrated interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with a wide range of people and promote team engagement and good written skills.
3. Demonstrated or ability to develop effective organisational skills, including an ability to plan, set and prioritise competing workloads, complete assigned tasks in a timely manner, work autonomously and problem solve.
4. Demonstrated ability to provide administrative support and to use a variety of computer programs including Microsoft Office and medical record systems.
5. Demonstrates understanding of, and adherence to, safety and quality standards, Work Health and Safety 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.