ED Care Coordinator/Social Worker

• Permanent / Part Time – 56 hours per fortnight
• Work across the Emergency Department and community supporting people with complex health and social needs
• Join a supportive and experienced interdisciplinary team
• Excellent benefits including salary packaging, Fitness Passport and professional development opportunities

About the Role

An exciting opportunity exists for an experienced Social Worker to join our ALERT team as an Emergency Department (ED) Care Coordinator. Based within the Emergency Department at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, this role focuses on the early identification, assessment and coordination of care for patients with complex health and social needs. You will provide timely and comprehensive assessment and care coordination to help patients access the most appropriate hospital and community-based services, supporting safe discharge and reducing barriers to ongoing care.

The role also extends beyond the Emergency Department, providing community-based case management and outreach support following discharge. You will work collaboratively with clients to identify their goals, coordinate their health and social care needs, facilitate involvement from other healthcare professionals and establish appropriate links with hospital and community services.

Key responsibilities include:

• Identify and engage eligible ALERT patients presenting to the Emergency Department
• Undertake comprehensive psychosocial and functional assessments to identify individual needs, risks and goals
• Develop, implement and evaluate person-centred care plans that support independence and wellbeing
• Provide discipline-specific clinical management, discharge planning and community liaison
• Deliver outreach care coordination and case management for clients following discharge from the Emergency Department
• Coordinate health and social care services in partnership with clients, families, healthcare professionals and community organisations
• Support effective transitions between hospital and community-based care
• Work collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team to achieve positive outcomes for clients with complex needs

Classification: Social Worker Grade 2 SC21–SC24

Salary: $90,184–$104,000 per annum, pro rata for part-time employment

About You

You will be an experienced and compassionate Social Worker who is confident working with people experiencing complex health and social challenges.

You will bring:

• A recognised qualification in Social Work
• A minimum of two years’ experience in a relevant acute and/or community setting
• Eligibility for membership of the relevant professional association
• Strong assessment, care coordination and case management skills
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and multidisciplinary teamwork skills
• The ability to work effectively with clients experiencing complex and intersecting health and social needs
• A current Victorian Driver Licence
• A current National Criminal History Check, or willingness to obtain one

About ALERT

ALERT provides specialist assessment, care coordination and outreach support for people with complex needs. The service supports patients who may experience one or more significant risk factors, including homelessness or housing instability, substance use, mental health concerns, disability, complex aged care needs and family violence. The ED Care Coordinator is based within the Emergency Department at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne and also provides community-based support and interventions as part of an interdisciplinary team. This position forms part of the Health Care for Homeless (HfH) Program, which brings together services across St Vincent’s that support people who are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, homelessness. The program aims to improve access, integration and coordination of care while developing responsive services that meet the needs of this client group. The role also works closely with the Health Independence Program (HIP) to support coordinated care across hospital and community settings.

What We Offer

At St Vincent’s, we are committed to supporting the wellbeing, development and career progression of our people.

You’ll have access to:

• Salary packaging to increase your take-home pay
• Fitness Passport, providing access to a wide range of fitness facilities
• Regular wellbeing initiatives, events and programs
• Confidential, solutions-focused employee counselling
• Ongoing professional development and learning opportunities
• A supportive culture focused on continuous improvement
• A convenient Fitzroy location close to public transport, cafés and Melbourne’s CBD
• Employee discounts and promotions available through the St Vincent’s Foundation
• A workplace that encourages a healthy work/life balance

Working at St Vincent’s

St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne (SVHM) is a leading teaching, research and tertiary health service providing a diverse range of adult clinical services. Our work is guided by our values of Compassion, Justice, Integrity and Excellence, and we are committed to providing high-quality, person-centred care to the communities we serve.

Application

Please submit your resume and cover letter with your application. Shortlisting will commence immediately, and we encourage you to apply promptly as the advertisement may close early if a suitable applicant is identified.

We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and abilities. Inclusion is essential to our mission, and we value the diversity of the communities we serve. Please visit our website for further information regarding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment at St Vincent’s.

St Vincent’s Health Australia has a duty of care under work health and safety legislation to manage the risk of transmission of vaccine-preventable diseases in healthcare settings. Successful applicants may therefore be required to meet relevant immunisation and vaccination requirements.