Join a team where collaboration drives recovery and leadership creates impact.
Remuneration: $116,892 – $120,680 per annum + superannuation + salary packaging
Location: James Fletcher Hospital
Employment Type: Temporary Full Time - Until May 2027
Position Classification: Social Worker Level 3
Requisition ID: REQ654214
Applications Close: Sunday 10th May 2026
About the role:
As the Senior Social Worker within the Intermediate Stay Mental Health Unit (ISMHU), you’ll play a key leadership role in a supportive, multidisciplinary team. Working alongside a Level 1/2 Social Worker, you’ll champion recovery-oriented practice while guiding rehabilitation-focused care for people with complex mental health needs.
This is a hands-on clinical and leadership position where you’ll contribute to coordinated, person-centred care. You’ll deliver psychosocial assessments, facilitate individual and group interventions that support recovery and independence, and help shape a positive, collaborative team culture. The role also offers opportunities to influence service development through participation in district-wide quality improvement initiatives, as well as providing supervision and mentorship to junior staff.
Where you’ll be working:
The Intermediate Stay Mental Health Unit (ISMHU) is a 20-bed, non-acute rehabilitation unit dedicated to supporting people with enduring mental health challenges and psychosocial disability.
As part of a highly collaborative multidisciplinary team, you’ll help deliver tailored, recovery-focused care in a therapeutic environment. People typically stay for 6–12 weeks, working towards building practical skills, confidence, insight, and meaningful connections that support long-term wellbeing.
At ISMHU, we’re committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred care that empowers individuals to lead more fulfilling and independent lives.
Requirements:
* 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.
What we offer
At Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD), enjoy a career where you're challenged by interesting work and surrounded by spectacular locations. Join the team enriching health in millions of ways every day:
* Sustainable Healthcare: Together towards zero
* Proximity to shopping and other services
* ADO's each month (for full time employees)
* Salary packaging options
* Fitness Passport
* Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for staff and family members
* Opportunity to work and collaborate with a range of non-clinical and clinical professionals
Additional Information:
* To be eligible for employment in this position you must be an Australian Citizen, or permanent resident of Australia, or a New Zealand citizen with a current New Zealand Passport, or hold an appropriate visa that allows you to live and work in Australia. Employment of a temporary visa holder will only be offered in line with the conditions and expiry date of your visa.
* An eligibility list will be created for future temporary full or part time vacancies.
We are unable to accommodate visa sponsorship for applicants requiring a visa for this position.
How to apply:
Click apply online, submit your information and resume, and address the criteria listed below providing examples that demonstrate your ability.
* Experience working in a specialist mental health setting including knowledge of contemporary principles and practices in mental health rehabilitation and the application of same in clinical practice.
* Demonstrated ability to independently problem-solve and apply professional and ethical boundaries when working with complex situations as part of a multi-disciplinary team
* Demonstrated high level verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to adapt communication style to suit different audiences.
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For role related queries or questions contact Katie Rowell on
Information for Applicants:
Applicants will be assessed against the essential requirements and selection criteria contained within the position description (link below). For assistance addressing selection criteria visit: https://bit.ly/3vL5fq2
Stepping Up Website is a resource designed to help indigenous job applicants apply for positions in NSW Health. For more information, please visit: https://bit.ly/HNEHealthSteppingUp
This is a Category A position. Recommended applicants will be reviewed for compliance with NSW Health policy directive PD2024_015: Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination against Specified Infectious Diseases for Category A positions prior to offer. All new employees must agree to comply with the requirements outlined in the policy.