Organisation: Healthscope – Pine Rivers Private Hospital
Job Title: Social Worker
Word Limit: 2 Pages
Location: Brisbane
Professional and Ethical Practice – Throughout my career I have consistently demonstrated excellent analytical and conceptual skills, and the ability to apply the provisions of highly complex compliance environments to generate practical solutions aligned to organisational requirements. As a Social Worker with the Defence Community Organisation (DCO) I developed strong skills in applying the complex Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) Pay and Conditions Manual (PACMAN). I provided advice concerning varying situations of ADF personnel and their families, undertaking a psychosocial assessment of the case and developing a report to the military command outlining my recommendations. The report had to both progress the best possible outcomes for the employee while rigorously complying with the legislative, regulatory and policy driven environment of the ADF. Similarly, working within Queensland Hearing Loss Family Support Services (QHLFSS) and Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) provided me with strong skills in delivering a service focused on the best outcomes for clients within structured regulatory environments. Working within DCO and QHLFSS, I also demonstrated the ability to deliver a quality practice, respectful of the culture and backgrounds of my clients, and based on a clear understanding of the rights of individuals within a mental health setting. At DCO I had a counselling practice where patients either self-referred or were in crisis situations. In these circumstances I delivered a completely confidential service, delivering tailored clinical and structural interventions to meet diverse individual needs. Within DCO, QHLFSS and FWO I dealt with highly confidential records and information pertaining to individuals, cases and sometimes active investigations. I have the highest level of professional integrity and see myself as personally accountability for the information I have access to. Both DCO and QHLFSS have strict provisions relating to client privacy and the acceptable use of information. When I first met with clients I provided them with a copy of a document that outlined the relevant privacy provisions and included details on how to progress complaints if they believed any breach of confidentiality occurred.
Clinical Care and Outcomes – I am a dedicated professional with proven expertise in delivering quality clinical and community care services. My experience encompasses all aspects of this process, including intake, assessment, counselling, referral, and case management. In addition, I have worked extensively with other organisations and allied health professionals to ensure an integrated, supportive service to my clients. My placements within DCO and QHLFSS provided me with strong support and case management skills, as well as in the integration of this service with associated service providers within the mental health sector. At DCO my role had 2 components. Firstly, I provided advice to the military command in relation to serving personnel with regard to a range of social, economic, emotional, psychological and other circumstances. These had to be undertaken in compliance with PACMAN and other associated statutory provisions, and included a psychosocial assessment of all factors relating to the situation, research, liaising with a range of internal and external professionals and service providers, and preparing a detailed report making effective and feasible recommendations. Additionally, I had a counselling workload with clients that either self-referred or were in crisis situations. In these cases, I delivered an integrated, case management practice, including psychosocial and risk assessment, counselling, planning and delivering interventions, coordinating relevant supports and managing required referrals. My practice covered a range of circumstances related to domestic violence, alcohol and drug dependency, self-harm, trauma issues, family breakdown, child safety issues, relationship problems, anxiety issues and severe mental illness. At QHLFSS my role had an educative and information emphasis, with a focus on planned, solution-based interventions. I worked with families whose children had profound hearing loss, undertaking a full assessment (often including a genogram) and providing them with guidance, support and referral to other services as required. I consulted with families, involving them in structuring a plan for support to achieve the best outcomes possible for their individual circumstances.
Critical Thinking and Analysis – During my career I have consistently demonstrated the ability to undertake critical thinking and analysis, including reviewing complex information within diverse and challenging circumstances. At FWO I provide advice, guidance and training to a wide variety of clients in relation to complex industrial law, policy and process. I need to research, analyse and apply this information within the context of diverse industrial and employment circumstances. At DCO and QHLFSS I also required strong critical analysis skills. Within DCO, the advice I provided to military command had to align with PACMAN. Any guidance, support, recommendations or referrals had to be consistent with the provisions of this document, along with a range of associated ADF statutory, policy and procedural provisions. I had to carefully investigate and analyse each case to determine appropriate goals that both aligned with ADF requirements and supported the needs of clients. Similarly, with my counselling practice I had to consider both the range of impacting circumstances, as well as the types of relevant services and supports available to ADF staff, and had to integrate my response with various internal and external stakeholders. This could include community service providers, allied and mental health professionals, external government agencies and internal support services, such as the ADF Mental Health Units and Military Support Officers. I have exceptional organisational skills, with the ability to work independently, prioritise work and meet all required deadlines in complex, busy environments. During my employment with FWO my work has been regularly recognised (through formal awards) with regard to exceeding a number of key performance indicators relating to client contact, the accuracy of advice provided and the successful resolution of cases. During my placements with DCO and QHLFSS I also demonstrated strong time management skills, evidenced by my ability to manage a range of responsibilities, while ensuring timely care and support to my clients. Within the social work field, I ensure the currency of my knowledge across the theories and applications of evidence based practice, and use this understanding to undertake structured analysis and to deliver the best possible outcomes for clients.
Communication/Team Work/Professional Development – I have excellent communication skills, with the ability to develop rapport, and engage and interact effectively with people from all levels and cultural and social backgrounds. I have provided quality service to clients, often within environments with structured and insular cultures. Working within the QHLFSS I dealt with a number of diverse, often opposing factions in relation to the types of services and supports available to families with children who had profound hearing loss. This included strong opinions regarding things such as oral approaches to educating deaf children (as opposed to sign language) and the use of technological innovations like cochlear implants. Similarly, the ADF has a unique culture, with strongly held beliefs and attitudes regarding the acknowledgement of mental health issues. I used my strong interpersonal skills to navigate these cultures, focusing on delivering the best possible outcomes within these structures to ensure their sustainability and effectiveness. This included appropriately challenging some beliefs that had a negative effect on the well-being of clients. I also used my communication skills to develop collaborative therapeutic relationships with clients, working with them to develop solutions that met their needs. This included involving them in assessing their circumstances and involving them in planning their own care. In addition to this, my professional experience has provided me with well-developed presentation and consultation skills, with the ability to deliver information in an engaging, confident and persuasive manner. At DCO I delivered presentations to units that focused on maintaining supportive contact with family and friends during active service and training. I also delivered Kidsmart to children aged between 4 and 11 years of age. Additionally, I have demonstrated the ability to develop collaborative and productive working relationships and partnerships with clients, colleagues, and other relevant stakeholders. My roles with DCO and QHLFSS, and my current position with FWO, have all required that I develop collaborative relationships with diverse individuals and organisations. In recent roles I have worked cooperatively with Military Support Officers, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the Department of Communities, DFA Mental Health Support Teams (composed of several Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Social Workers and Mental Health Nurses), employees from hospital based Child Hearing Loss Clinics, community based intervention and support services and a diverse variety of allied and mental health professionals. I have consistently built productive partnerships with all these stakeholders, and have liaised and consulted with them to develop and deliver an integrated service tailored to meet the needs of my clients. I always listen to my team members, share information with them, and treat them with respect and courtesy. I embrace different views and perspectives, and utilise those differences for the benefit of the team. I respect the knowledge of my colleagues, and focus on ensuring that we work together in the best possible interests of our clients.
Quality and Risk Management – In various roles I have contributed significantly to quality improvement, leading review and improvement activities, and ensuring compliance to required standards. At QHLFSS I undertook a review of the process used to collect feedback from families who accessed the services. The intent of collecting this information was to ensure the quality and efficacy of the service, and to improve it as required. The current survey tool was a four page, hard copy mail out and the response rate was very low. I redeveloped the survey into a concise online tool that was emailed out to clients. This resulted in an 80% increase in the response rate, and allowed to QHLFSS to make informed quality improvements to the service. During my placement with DCO I led the review and restructuring of Kidsmart, a programme designed to build emotional and psychological resilience in the children of serving ADF personnel. I reworked the content, ensuring that it was suitable across the age range of the children and incorporating more game-based, interactive sessions to actively engage and retain participant interest. This evidence-based change of structure and content also catered more effectively to the various learning styles of the children in the programme. At FWO all work is undertaken in accordance with a quality management framework. The quality of my client contact, the accuracy of advice I deliver and the resolution of my cases are all subject to review. A Quality Assessor undertakes a regular evaluation of my performance, and I have received both formal recognition and ongoing positive feedback regarding the exceptional quality of my work. It is also relevant that I have proven supervision skills, with a strong commitment to fostering a culture of performance and engaging staff in a process of continuous learning. I was a Store Manager in the food service industry for several years, where I provided management, training, performance development, rostering and responsibility coordination in a busy environment. At FWO I supervise two Indigenous Trainees, providing them with management, coaching and ongoing support at work and in the completion of their Certificate IV in Government studies.
Workplace Health and Safety (WH&S) – I have an excellent understanding of WH&S, particularly within the Social Work occupation, and how it relates to self-care and the well-being of clients and other stakeholders. With regard to fostering my own emotional resilience, I undertake a reflective practice, monitoring and reflecting on the issues I deal with, and how I learn from and respond to them. I also use this tool to review cases and their self-impact with my supervisor. At QHLFSS I undertook a range of home visits to families and worked in accordance with a range of safety guidelines and procedures. This included undertaking a risk assessment of each situation, ensuring the placement of departmental vehicles for fast egress and carrying panic buttons. In relation to clients, their family and carers, colleagues and other stakeholders in the provision of service, I strive to ensure that I am aware of and focus on their safety and well-being at all times. Once again, this is about reflective practices and considering the circumstances and possible outcomes in relation to evidence-based assessment, treatment and ongoing intervention and care. I have undertaken all required WH&S training within various organisations, and am an active participant any WH&S strategies, training and initiatives within the workplace. I also am aware of and comply with my reporting obligations with regard to incidents and hazards in my practice.
