General Social Work in Armidale

Employment Type: Temporary Part Time until February 2028

Position Classification: Social Worker Level 1/2

Remuneration: $40.05 - $57.14 Per Hour + Super

Hours Per Week: 20

Location: Armidale Hospital

Closing Date: Sunday 08 November 2026

Make a meaningful difference. Grow your social work career. Are you a compassionate and motivated Social Worker looking to make a real difference in the lives of patients and their families? Join the supportive Social Work team at Armidale Hospital, where you can develop your clinical skills, build your confidence and help people navigate challenging times.

About The Team

You’ll join a friendly, experienced and well-respected Social Work team working alongside fellow Social Workers and Aboriginal Health Workers to support patients across Armidale Hospital. Working primarily across the Medical and Surgical wards, you’ll collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to provide person-centred care, advocate for patients and facilitate safe, timely hospital discharge. This is a part-time opportunity shared with another Social Worker, with both positions working together to provide full-time coverage across the wards.

About The Role

As a Generalist Social Worker (Level 1/2), you’ll have the opportunity to apply and develop your social work skills across a diverse range of clinical presentations. You’ll play an important role in helping patients and families navigate complex health and community systems, access essential supports and achieve positive outcomes.

Your Responsibilities Will Include:

• Conducting psychosocial assessments and identifying patients’ support needs.
• Supporting safe and timely discharge planning and care coordination.
• Advocating for patients and liaising with external services, including the NDIS, aged care and guardianship services.
• Collaborating with medical, nursing, allied health and Aboriginal Health colleagues to deliver holistic, person-centred care.
• Supporting patients and families to navigate complex circumstances and connect with appropriate community resources.
• Contributing to clinical problem-solving and risk management.

You must be able to work Monday, Tuesday and a half day on Wednesday or be able to have flexible hours on those days. This role offers excellent variety and the opportunity to gain valuable experience across acute hospital social work, while building your knowledge of discharge planning, clinical risk assessment and community referral pathways.

About You

We’re looking for a compassionate and adaptable Social Worker who is passionate about supporting patients and families during challenging times. You’ll Bring:

• A person-centred approach, with empathy and respect for the individual needs of patients and families.
• Strong communication, interpersonal and advocacy skills.
• Effective organisational skills, including the ability to prioritise competing demands.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving and a willingness to learn.
• The ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• An understanding of social work values and ethical practice, with a commitment to reflective practice, supervision and ongoing professional development.
• Hold a current NSW Driver's License.

Previous acute hospital social work experience is not essential. If you’re keen to learn, develop your clinical skills and broaden your understanding of health and community services, you’ll be supported to grow in the role.

Essential Criteria:

• Must hold as a minimum a bachelor degree in social work which provides eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers, or other qualification deemed equivalent by the employer.

How You’ll Be Supported

You’ll be joining a stable and supportive team that values collaboration, learning and professional growth. This is an excellent opportunity for new graduates and Level 1/2 Social Workers to develop their skills while gaining exposure to a broad range of referrals and clinical presentations.

You’ll Benefit From:

• Day-to-day guidance and support from experienced Social Work colleagues.
• Mandatory professional supervision to support your clinical practice and development.
• Opportunities to broaden your experience across different hospital areas as required.
• Support to build your knowledge of hospital processes, discharge planning, NDIS and aged care systems, and community referral pathways.
• A collaborative team environment where you can ask questions, share knowledge and continue building your confidence.

What We Offer:

• Professional development opportunities.
• Work hours flexibility discussions.
• A team of social workers to mentor you.
• Supervision regularly formally and informally.
• Employment opportunities such as salary sacrifice available.

Why join Hunter New England Health:

• Be part of one of the largest and most diverse Local Health Districts in NSW.
• Influence digital solutions that directly support patient care and clinical outcomes.
• Salary packaging options.
• Work collaboratively with passionate clinicians and digital health professionals.
• Enjoy career development opportunities within NSW Health.
• Make a real difference across a large, complex health service.
• Fitness Passport for you and your family.

What You'll Be Doing:

Provide a high quality clinical service to patients and their families/carers, to ensure the provision of optimal health outcomes for patients of the service.

If you require any accommodations or adjustments to the recruitment process please let us know when you apply or at any stage of the process. We will work with you to meet your needs and create the best possible experience.