Social Worker - Palliative Care

Job Description:

• Role Title: Social Worker – Palliative Care
• Role Type: Permanent, Full-time
• Role Grade: Social Work Level 1/2
• Department and Location: Social Work, St Vincent’s Hospital, Darlinghurst
• Salary: $ 73,427- $ 104,752 p.a + Super + Salary packaging
• Better and fairer care. Always.
• We are St Vincent’s Health Australia, Australia’s largest not-for-profit provider of health and aged care services.
• Founded by The Sisters of Charity in 1857, our +30,000 healthcare superheroes operate public and private hospitals, residential aged care, community and virtual care, and outreach programs.

About The Role:

• Permanent Full-time position based at St Vincent’s Hospital, supporting both inpatient and community palliative care patients. Provide social work interventions as part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary team committed to delivering person-centred, holistic end-of-life care.
• Participate in the 24-hour on-call social work crisis service, offering timely emotional and practical support to patients and their families during critical situations outside of regular hours.
• Undertake psychosocial and risk assessments to support and address the emotional, spiritual, social, and practical needs of patients and their families.
• Work closely with medical, nursing, and allied health staff to support care coordination and end-of-life planning such as providing information and access to relevant government and non-government services. 
• Provide therapeutic counselling, advocacy, and support to patients, families, and carers experiencing grief, loss, or distress. 
• Engage in professional development activities, contribute to team learning, and participate in quality improvement initiatives aligned with best practices in palliative care and the mission of St Vincent’s Hospital.

About You:

• Tertiary qualifications in Social Work, eligibility for membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) and a Full Class C Drivers License.
• Experience working in healthcare or related settings, ideally with exposure to palliative care, end-of-life, or chronic illness. Understanding of the emotional, social, and spiritual challenges faced by patients and families in these contexts.
• Demonstrated skills in psychosocial assessment, casework, counselling, and facilitating practical support and advocacy for individuals with complex needs.
• Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams, contribute to shared care planning, and communicate sensitively and professionally with patients, families, and health professionals.
• Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills, with a commitment to ongoing learning, reflective practice, and ethical, person-centred care.
• Willingness to participate in the on-call crisis roster and support patients and families in times of acute need.

Why Work at St Vincent’s?

• Join us on our mission to provide care to all, including the most at-risk people in our community
• Discounted access to many gyms for you and your family with Fitness Passport
• Access to discounted private health insurance with Medibank
• Access to a government salary sacrifice program to make a proportion of your salary tax-free
• Financial support for educational development, scholarship programs, paid study leave
• About the Hospital:
• In this role, you will be based at St Vincent’s Hospital, Darlinghurst.
• A busy inner-city hospital in a beautiful location
• Surrounded by great cafes, galleries, and theatres, parks, nightlife, and nearby glorious beaches
• A place of expert clinical care for at-risk people
• Closely partnered with universities & affiliated research institutes, many of which are located on-campus
• Centres of excellence include heart & lung transplantation, bone marrow transplantation, cardiology, cancer care, AIDS/HIV, respiratory medicine, mental health, homeless health, drug & alcohol services, and correctional health
• Pre-employment Checks:
• Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role-required pre-employment checks, including relevant immunisations.

Equal Opportunity:
We celebrate diversity & inclusion and are committed to equal employment opportunity for everyone. 
 

As part of our commitment to reconciliation we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to apply and join us in delivering care that heals body, mind, spirit and community. 

• How to Apply:
• The closing date for applications is 10 October 2025
• Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter highlighting how your interest, skills, and experience align with the role and address each of the criteria.
• Further information please contact TalentHealthNSW@svha.org.au

Reconciliation Action Plan:

At St Vincent's we acknowledge the importance of creating a work environment that is welcoming, safe, equitable and inclusive for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Employees. As part of our Commitment to Reconciliation and Closing the Gap in employment related outcomes, we encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

For further information, visit https://www.svha.org.au/about-us/reconciliation or get in contact at indigenouscareers@svha.org.au

View Reconciliation Action Plan

Code Of Conduct:

View Code of Conduct