Senior Social Worker

• Permanent role - full time with potential for part time upon request
• NFP Salary packaging and Meal Card, discounted health insurance and lots more
• Flexible working arrangements incl WFH options | Equal Opportunity Employer

Short summary

Play a critical role in providing support and care to South Australian's impacted by cancer.

About the company

Cancer Council SA has been supporting South Australians impacted by cancer for over 90 years. We are proud to be the state’s longest running and largest cancer charity, and the only organisation in South Australia that works across every aspect of every cancer.

Here in South Australia, every day, we support families impacted by cancer when they need it most, speak out on behalf of the community on cancer issues, empower people to reduce their cancer risk, and find new ways to better detect and treat cancer.

Role overview

The accommodation social worker is responsible for psychosocial care to people impacted by cancer, carers, family members and other support persons staying at the Cancer Council SA Lodges.
 
While individual and family work is the primary focus of the social work service, the incumbent is accountable for the provision of discipline specific services including assessments, planning, referrals, advocacy, development of information sessions/activities to support the needs of guests, their families and carers. This is undertaken in partnership with fellow social workers and with the support of accommodation staff, volunteers and management as well as other cancer support team members.

Key responsibilities

• assess the psychosocial, information and support needs of guests staying at Cancer Council SA accommodation service, including carers and family members
• provide counselling to guests staying at Cancer Council SA accommodation service using a range of techniques, which will include working with people experiencing grief and loss
• establish effective contacts with health care and other service providers across health and community settings to facilitate the coordination of support for people having treatment for cancer in Adelaide
• complete appropriate referrals to external agencies in line with the guest’s needs
• provide advocacy, to address the support needs of people impacted by cancer
• contribute to and assist with the development of accommodation lodge policies and procedures
• participate in activities that foster continuous improvement such policy, planning, service development, evaluation of services, meetings (internal and external), professional supervision, performance review and professional development
• provide support to accommodation service volunteers including our transport to treatment and morning tea volunteers
• maintain high quality client case notes and records
• assist in the provision of other psychosocial programs requiring social work assessment as required by the Accommodation Services Manager

Skills, knowledge and experience

Essential

• tertiary qualification in social work, with at least 5 years’ experience in a health or community setting
• eligible for registration with the AASW
• experience in counselling and of working in the community setting with individuals and groups
• demonstrated knowledge of a range of therapeutic approaches

Highly desirable

• a sound knowledge of the issues faced by people affected by cancer
• previous experience in working with people affected by cancer
• an understanding/empathy for the unique issues experienced by people from rural/regional and remote areas  
• demonstrated interpersonal/communication skills, including verbal and written
• experience in networking and developing collaborative working relationships with health professionals and workers in both acute health and community organisations for effective advocacy and continuity of care
• proactive in initiating client contact, ability to maintain motivation when working independently and highly developed skills in following through as part of a team

Special conditions

• The successful applicant must be a non-smoker
• Appointment will be subject to a satisfactory police check and may require a further Department of Human Services clearance

For more information, please contact Carol Moore on 08 8291 4140. Or view the position description here.

Applications close Thursday 23 March 2023 at 5pm.

With respect, no recruitment agencies please.

Cancer Council SA promotes and values diversity, applicants from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

As an organisation, Cancer Council SA are committed to creating a safe workforce for all.

Cancer Council SA employees have been trained by Rosemary Wanganeen in Bi-Cultural Awareness, Safety and Inclusion and we welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.