Duty Social Worker

Make a Real Difference Every Day – Join The Salvation Army at Access Health

At The Salvation Army, we’re more than an organisation – we’re a movement, driven by faith and fired by love. Every day, our team at Access Health stands beside people affected by alcohol and other drug challenges, offering care, hope, and a way forward. Now, we’re looking for someone like you – skilled, empathetic, and ready to make a lasting impact – to join us as a Duty Social Worker.

About the Role

In this vital frontline position, you’ll be the heart of our service – the first face many people see when they walk through our doors.

Access Health is seeking a compassionate and dynamic part-time Duty Social Worker to join our multidisciplinary team of AOD, mental health, and primary health care practitioners.

In this diverse and rewarding role, you’ll be the first point of contact for clients—providing support through engagement, intake, brief interventions, assessment, and referral. You’ll also coordinate service access and system navigation, while managing key front-of-house tasks like triage, phone support, and Medicare billing.

As the central connector between clients and clinicians, you’ll hold space with empathy and confidence—ensuring every person who walks through our doors is met with dignity, care, and connection.

As a Duty Social Worker, your role will blend clinical insight with front-line administration. From offering compassionate engagement to ensuring smooth day-to-day operations of our medical reception, your work will create a space where people feel seen, heard, and supported.

Reporting to the Clinical Service Coordinator, this is a permanent part-time position 24 hours per week, (3 days a week, 8:45am–5:15pm), based in Access Health Service at St Kilda, VIC.

What You'll Be Doing

• Welcoming clients with warmth, professionalism, and respect
• Conducting initial assessment and triaging clients as required
• Providing holistic and trauma-informed client care
• Coordinating referrals and advocating for client needs
• Managing a fast-paced reception environment with grace and focus
• Supporting GPs, nurses and allied health professionals in delivering integrated, effective care
• Ensuring accurate records, Medicare billings, and data collection

What You Bring

• A degree qualification in Social Work or a related health field and experience (essential)
• Experience in client-facing roles, ideally within AOD, health or community settings
• Resilience and calm in high-pressure, crisis or emotionally charged moments
• A commitment to culturally safe, inclusive, and person-centred care
• Strong collaboration and communication skills
• A belief in the power of dignity, justice, and belonging for all
• Vaccination Status
• A current and valid Employee Working with Children's Check

Conditions
Salary and conditions are in accordance with SCHADS Award Level 5.

Why Join Us?

At Access Health, you’ll be part of a team that:

• The Salvos offer eligible employee's a well-balanced package of meaningful benefits including:
• Salary packaging up to $15,900 tax free + $2,650 meal entertainment benefit;
• Generous Paid Parental leave for primary (12 weeks) & secondary carers, Purchased Leave Scheme (up to 8 weeks) and 5 days paid leave per year to experience working in other TSA programs or activities;
• Access to EAP and health & wellness initiatives
• Ongoing training and development opportunities that enhance on the job skills and proficiency;
• Lives out The Salvation Army’s mission to care for people and fight for justice
• Offers ongoing professional development and supervision
• Values your voice, your growth, and your well-being
• Celebrates diversity in all its forms – we welcome people of all backgrounds, cultures, identities and experiences
• Walks alongside clients, not ahead of them

Apply Today – Be the Difference

If you're someone who sees beyond symptoms to the human story, who believes in the dignity of every person, and who thrives in a team that works with heart and purpose — we want to hear from you.

Apply now and start a career where your work truly matters.

Applicants are to submit a CV and cover letter answering the Key Selection Criteria above

The Salvation Army is an Equal Opportunity Employer who provides an inclusive work environment and embraces the diverse talent of its people. We value people of all cultures, languages, capacities, sexual orientations, gender identities and/or expressions. We are committed to achieving a diverse workforce and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people.

The Salvation Army is a child safe organisation and is committed to protecting children and young people from harm. All child facing roles will require the successful completion of a Working with Children Check. Applicants for all roles require a mandatory Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.

We value Integrity, Compassion, Respect, Diversity, and Collaboration

Key Selection Criteria:

• A thorough understanding of the health and social needs of people who inject drugs and who also experience issues such as homelessness and engagement in street based sex work
• An understanding and demonstrated application of the Social Model of Health
• Experience in client assessment and support including managing challenging behaviours
• Demonstrated commitment to teamwork in multidisciplinary team environments Demonstrated organisational skills and efficient work ethic