MERCY HEALTH
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Position title:
Social WorkerObstetrics/Transitions
Clinic
Employee name:
Entity/Group:
MHW
Date:
Business Unit/Department:
Social Work
Position reports to:
Social Work Manager and
Transitions Clinic Manager
Position Purpose:
To provide a pro-active and responsive social casework service to clients of designated
obstetric clinics, and the hospital’s Transitions Clinic.
Qualifications:
Resource management:
-
October 2009
Positions reporting to
this one:
Eligible for membership of AASW
Previous experience in a health care setting and/or working with families and children
in complex situations, including drug and alcohol use
Total staff management (FTE):0.8
Annual Operating Expenditure:
Annual Capital Expenditure:
Personal Competencies required
Temporary, part-time
Job Competencies Required
Social Worker
 Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written
communication skills
 Ability to work collaboratively and co-operatively
within multidisciplinary teams
 Flexibility, and ability to manage changing priorities
 Commitment to ongoing professional development
 Knowledge of drug and alcohol issues relevant to
obstetric women and families



Key Result Areas
Comprehensive psycho-social
assessment and support is
provided to women attending
designated obstetric clinics of
MHW, including Transitions Clinic
Effective communication with
hospital staff and community
agencies occurs, to maximize
health outcomes and ensure
optimal discharge planning
Contribution to the evaluation and
enhancement of social work
services at MHW, particularly
relating to women with complex
needs




 Ability to provide comprehensive and client-focused
psycho-social assessments of obstetric women with
complex needs
 Effective liaison with hospital staff and relevant
community services to ensure appropriate and timely
discharge planning
 Understanding of Children’s and Young Persons Act,
and DHS guidelines regarding infants at risk of
neglect or abuse
 Ability to actively contribute to enhancement of
hospital and community understanding of psychosocial aspects of maternal and infant health
Key Activities
Provide case work service to
designated clients, and make
appropriate referrals


Percentage of referred clients
offered social work support

Communication and advocacy
regarding client needs during
multidisciplinary meetings

Comprehensive case notes and
referral letters included in client’s
medical files

Participation in regular
supervision

Participation in and contribution to
Respond to referrals in a timely
manner
Attend and actively participate in
regular Multidisciplinary,
Transitions Clinic and Social
Work Department meetings
Liaise appropriately with: MHW
Aboriginal Women and Family
Support Unit, staff from New
Directions, Victorian Aboriginal
Health Service(VAHS) and the
Victorian Aboriginal Child Care
Standard Measures
Feedback from clients, staff and
other health professionals
Social Worker

Key Result Areas
Promotion and maintenance of
effective working relationships
between MHW and the
community.
Employee’s
Signature:
Key Activities
Agency (VACCA)

Maintain accurate and up-to-date
records of client contacts in
medical files and social work
notes

Record client statistics as
requested

Participates in Social Work duty
roster as requested

Participates in supervision of
Social Work students as
requested

Partake in ante natal and/or post
natal outreach visits where
necessary
Standard Measures
departmental and professional
development activities
Date:
Print Name:
Line Manager
Signature:
Date:
Print Name:
Social Worker