Title:  Social Worker - Psychiatric Assessment

Social Worker - PAPU Mental Health Unit

• Permanent Part Time | Experience work-life balance
• Maroondah Hospital | Carparking & Café onsite
• Supportive Multi disciplinary team

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

Eastern Health Psychiatric Assessment Planning Unit (PAPU) is a specialist mental health service for adults aged 18 to 65 who are displaying symptoms of psychiatric disorder, severe emotional and behavioural disturbance and provides a comprehensive range of assessment and treatments services within a recovery framework.  The aim of PAPU’s is to ensure that people receive timely access to short-term inpatient care and treatment where required and to minimise the need for an extended inpatient stay by ensuring that people can be adequately and appropriately supported in the community. 

The Social Worker will provide a range of specialist social work assessments and interventions to mental health consumers to facilitate access to the most appropriate mental health services consistent with their needs, wishes, aspirations and goals upon discharge from PAPU. Through the promotion of recovery and the principles and practice of service coordination the Social Worker will ensure that consumers are at the centre of service delivery and receive a timely, coordinated response to their health and social needs.  

About you 

To be successful in this role you will possess:

Essential

• Holds a degree qualification in Social Work that has been approved by the Australian Association of Social Workers for membership as a Social Worker. Maintains compliance with the AASW Continuing Professional Development Policy in order to meet the Eastern Health Allied Health credentialing standard. 

• Demonstrated commitment to and ability to practice utilising the recovery approach in mental health treatment and support, with a focus on working collaboratively with consumers and carers to promote self-determination and enable progress towards reaching personal recovery goals. 

• Demonstrated ability to provide Social Work psychosocial assessments and interventions  

• Demonstrated knowledge, skills and experience in working with consumers with mental health issues and their carers and families, in the community/inpatient settings. 

• Demonstrated working knowledge of contemporary recovery principles and practices including research and evidence based practice.  

• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team and to contribute to a positive team environment.  

• Demonstrated communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills, including the ability to function as an effective member of a multidisciplinary team. 

• Demonstrated well developed knowledge of the Mental Health Act and other relevant legislation, policies, plans, and strategic directions of public mental health services. 

• Ability to supervise Social Work students and Grade 1 Social Work staff. 

• Compliance with AASW Code of Ethics and legal requirements of the Social Work profession.  

Desirable 

• Experience in acute mental health 

• Demonstrated skills and experience in undertaking Single Session Family Consultations, or willingness to undertake training and embed this practice within 12 months 

• Knowledge of NDIS service navigation 

• Evidence of involvement in, and understanding of, principles of research and/or evaluation.  

• 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 click here for position description link

Contact Person: Pauline Kelly

Contact Number: 0403 104 891

Contact Email: pauline.kelly@easternhealth.org.au

Job Posting End Date: 28.6.2026

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