Title: Senior Social Worker
Burwood East, VIC, AU, 3151 Upper Ferntree Gully, VIC, AU, 3156
Senior Social Worker - Acute Mental Health
- Employment Type: Perm Full Time
- Location: South Ward, Peter James Centre
- Join an enthusiastic highly skilled multi disciplanary team dedicated to the older adult mental health program
Eastern Health
Eastern Health is one of Melbourne’s largest public health services. We provide a range of emergency, surgical, medical and general healthcare services and have a proud history of serving a diverse community.
Our Employee Value Proposition is “Being a part of Eastern Health means belonging to a welcoming team of healthcare experts”.
This statement aligns with our promise to our communities, patients, consumers and staff that we will be HEALTHIER TOGETHER. Bolder than a vision for the future, our promise calls us to action. We know that working together is the only way we can achieve what is necessary for a healthier future.
About the role
The Senior Social Worker has a high level of experience, knowledge and skill in acute older adult mental health and demonstrates developing leadership practice through proactive participation with the Social Work service and/ or interdisciplinary teams. The Senior Social Worker works in partnership with social work colleagues to provide consumer, carers, families and other services high quality clinical services within a recovery orientated framework.
Services are tailored to support each consumer’s recovery and may include individual and group interventions, psychosocial assessment and treatment, discharge planning, consumer and family education, single-session family work, and liaison with relevant services and programs as required. The Senior Social Worker provides high quality care to a case load of older adult mental health consumers and families through the predominately autonomous use of expert clinical skills and highly effective communication
About you
To be successful in this role you will possess:
Essential
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Holds a degree qualification in Social Work that has been approved by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) for membership as a social worker. Maintains compliance with the AASW Continuing Professional Development Policy to meet the Eastern Health Allied Health credentialing standard
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A strong commitment to high-quality care, demonstrated knowledge of the mental health act and other relevant legislation, policies, plans and strategic directions of public mental health services.
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Demonstrated social work, leadership and management skills as evidenced by five or more years post-qualifying professional experience (Grade 4 requirement).
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Strong conceptual skills to provide high-level advice to the Allied Health Manager, Social Work Clinical lead and program manager on program, practice and policy matters.
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Demonstrates the ability to undertake risk management across the continuum of care.
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Excellent interpersonal skills including demonstrated flexibility, proficient negotiation and communication skills (written and verbal).
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Capacity to work skilfully and creatively in an environment of competing values.
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Demonstrate a proactive approach and change management skills.
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Demonstrated high-level skills in supervising and coaching Social Workers, Social Work students and others.
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Computer literacy
Desirable
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Experience in older adult mental health, preferably in acute mental health
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Experience in Single Session Family Consultation, willingness to undertake training
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Evidence of involvement in, and understanding of, principles of research and/or evaluation.
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A current Victorian driver’s licence.
Healthcare workers are strongly recommended to follow COVID vaccination recommendations provided in the Australian Immunisation handbook (based on ATAGI advice). Seasonal vaccination against influenza is a mandatory requirement of this role and an offer is conditional on this being up to date prior to employment.
Those that are offered and/or start between January and April do not require an up to date vaccination for Influenza to progress providing they are aware of its requirement later in the year. Those that are offered and/or start between May and December require the up to date Influenza vaccination prior to offer.
What we offer
Eastern Health offers a variety of fantastic Employee Benefits, view the extensive range here!
- Mentor and Shadowing program
- Access to discovery days across our 50 sites
- Study and professional development leave
- Friendly & supportive teams
- Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- Fitness Passport for work-life balance
- Employee Assistance program accessible for you and your loved ones
- Flexible working hours and excellent entitlements
- Salary packaging options and an employee benefits scheme
- Access to Private Health Insurance offers
- Digital upskilling, such as excel and Power-Bi training
- Cafes at all of our Hospitals
Next Steps
Apply online if you feel we are a good match, you have the skills and qualities to make a difference, and are eligible to work in Australia.
We review all applications when we receive them, and we notify unsuccessful candidates.
If you are shortlisted, we will be in touch to arrange an interview, and you must complete a National Police Check.
Good to know:
- We are an equal opportunity employer and actively promote equality for people of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, and for people living with disability – within the communities we serve and our Eastern Health team.
- We provide a culturally safe and welcoming environment for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander employees.
- As a child-safe organisation, we ensure child safety and wellbeing is embedded in our everyday culture.
- Vaccination and screening for immunity to vaccine-preventable disease is a mandatory requirement of this role.
- Advertising may end before the closing date.
- We do not accept recruitment agency application
If you are a current Eastern Health employee please ensure you log in with your internal Eastern Health account to apply for this or other roles.
Please see the position description here.
Contact Person: Pauline Kelly
Contact Number: 0403 104 891
Contact Email: pauline.kelly@easternhealth.org.au
Job Posting End Date: 29.6.2026
Need help submitting your application?
Just contact the Hiring Manager in the advertisement or call the Talent Acquisition Team on (03) 9955 7555 (Option 1) | Medical Workforce Unit on (03) 9895 3469. [TA for Non Medical roles, MWU for Medical roles]
Click Here for the Candidate Guide also for help in our recruitment process!
Our Values in Action:
Respect for all | Safe always | Partnering in care | Learning and improving every day