Senior Social Worker (525995)

Senior Social Worker – Women’s and Children’s Services

Launceston General Hospital | Tasmanian Health Service

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Senior Social Worker to join our Women’s and Children’s Services team at Launceston General Hospital for a 12-month fixed term contract. This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and families through high‑quality, hands‑on clinical practice within a supportive multidisciplinary environment.

About the Role

In this senior clinical role, you will work with a high level of independence and professional autonomy, delivering specialist social work services to women, children, and families across hospital settings. You will assess complex psychosocial needs and provide timely, evidence‑based interventions to support positive health and wellbeing outcomes.

In addition, you will play a key role in the mentoring, support, and professional development of Level 1–2 Social Workers, providing guidance, clinical oversight, and reflective practice opportunities to support skill development, confidence, and high‑quality service delivery.

Key responsibilities include:

• Delivery of comprehensive psychosocial assessment and specialist social work interventions
• Support for patients and families adjusting to illness, hospitalisation, and discharge
• Specialist input relating to child protection, family violence, and complex family dynamics
• Provision of clear information, advocacy, and referral to internal and community supports
• Active participation in case conferences, family meetings, and multidisciplinary care planning
• Building and maintaining strong partnerships with community‑based services
• Contributing to clinical leadership and service improvement within the team

About the Team

Launceston General Hospital (LGH) is the largest public hospital in Northern Tasmania and the region’s major referral centre. As part of the Tasmanian Health Service, LGH delivers a broad range of acute, specialist, and community health services and is a teaching hospital with strong links to the University of Tasmania.

You will join a collegial, values‑driven social work team committed to collaboration, respect, and continuous improvement. The team provides strong professional support and values diverse perspectives, professional judgement, and shared learning.

What you’ll need:

• A recognised Social Work qualification and eligibility for registration
• Experience working in hospital or health settings
• Experience mentoring or supporting Level 1–2 Social Workers
• Strong skills in assessment, crisis support, and counselling
• Experience in Women’s and Children’s services
• Great communication skills
• Confidence working in fast‑paced, complex environments
• A commitment to person‑centred, family sensitive, inclusive practice

Note: - Please refer to the Statement of Duties for all the selection criteria of this position to address in your application.

Details of appointment:

• Fixed term full time, day worker position, working 76 hours per fortnight, commencing as soon as possible until 22 March 2027.

*notwithstanding hours to be negotiated with the successful applicant.

Applicants should note that, for a period of twelve months from the date of publication, this selection process may be used to fill subsequent or similar full time, part time, and casual vacancies.

Salary: $110,425 to $121,907 per annum (Pro rata). Our Employer 12% superannuation contribution is on top of this amount.

• Salary range is in accordance with Allied Health Professionals Public Sector Unions Wages Agreement 2022

Salary Packaging:

You’ll have access to salary package a range of benefits including living expenses up to $9,010 + $2,650 in meal entertainment each FBT year + other benefits if eligible. 

Allowances: 

• Please note that access to salaries beyond $119,290 is subject to qualifications and/or application to the personal upgrade scheme 

In addition, the following allowances calculated on the salaried incremental point may be available:

• Professional Development Allowance of up to $1000 per annum

Benefits available to eligible candidates:

• Travel and relocation assistance support available up to $15,000 for eligible appointees from overseas, and up to $10,000 for appointees from interstate.
• Professional development and accelerated pathways.
• A range of leave entitlements, including study leave and Professional Development Support.
• Fitness Passport – You, and your family can access 40+ fitness facilities across Tasmania for just $14.50 per week per person, or $28.05 for a family.

More information about our Employee Benefits can be found here

Eligibility:

Successful applicants will be required to meet the essential criteria.

• Tertiary qualification/program of study approved by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)

• Eligible for membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)

• Overseas qualified Social Work candidates require a “certification of eligibility” letter from the AASW to confirm their eligibility for membership to the AASW

• Or where regulatory requirements exist, NDIS Q&S Commission Provider Registration Requirements

• Full member of Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)

• Current Working with Children Registration

Applicants should note the following criteria are desirable:

• Postgraduate, or progression toward post graduate qualifications relevant to the position

• Current Driver’s Licence

Note: - Please refer to the Application Guide for more information of pre-employment check.

Download the Statement of Duties and any Associated Documents

We encourage you to review the Statement of Duties, Applicant Guide, prior to applying for an overview of the duties, program, selection process and application guidance.

Statement of Duties: 

• Generic Senior Social Worker (North) HP03 (July 2023) WWCR CSU.docx

Application Guide:  

• Department of Health - Applicant Guide Sep 2024.docx

How to apply:

Apply Online. Please click the "Apply" button on this screen to ensure that important questions about you are answered.

You will be prompted to complete a 1-2 page application detailing your experience, skills and knowledge as they relate to the attached Statement of Duties. A separate statement addressing the selection criteria in the Statement of Duties is not required.

*applications from Recruitment agencies will not be accepted for this role

For more information:

Applicants who require further information are encouraged to contact the Contact person for detailed information about the vacancy.

Name: Sue Vucak
Position: Head of Department - Social Work 
Phone number: 0467 172 001
Email address: sue.vucak@ths.tas.gov.au

What it is like working at the Department of Health? 

Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Excellent are the key values to work in Department of Health. Listen to some of the lived experiences from within the department through some of our wonderful staff and hear about their journey in relocating to Tasmania!

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Tasmanian Health Careers | Tasmanian 

Department of Health has achieved the “Carer Accredited Employer Status” providing support to employees with caring responsibilities. (Find out more under the Carer Recognition Act 2023).

Respecting diversity is the foundation of everything that Department of Health do. This allows us to instil trust and collaborate through honest and fair communication and helps cultivate an environment of growth and innovation. We strongly encourage applicants from key communities including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, LGBTIQA+ people, and people living with disabilities.