Departmental Structure
The Social Work Department at Alice Springs Hospital provides services to all clinical areas and inpatient units. Social work is managed by a Senior Social Worker P3 who has a part time clinical caseload and comprises five P2 workers, a P1 and a designated P1 new graduate training position. Generally social workers are assigned to specific units and contribute to the treatment and care of patients and their families as part of the multidisciplinary team.
Inpatient Services
Social Work services are provided to all inpatient clinical areas and include
- Psychosocial assessment and recommendations for social and emotional well being
- Family work, illness education, counselling,
- Grief counselling
- Income support and housing assistance
- Discharge planning
Referrals are accepted from staff, patients, families and significant others. Patients experiencing high social risk or domestic violence are also identified through the screening of admissions.
Orientation and Training
Social Workers play an active role in the Department's Orientation/Training Program and regularly contribute to the professional development of other clinical staff with in service education.
Social Work Students
The Department offers practicum opportunities for social work students who are encouraged to apply for placements with the Alice Springs Social Work team. We offer a range of placement options that include specialising in a specific field of practice, generic medical social work and projects.
Location
The Social Work Department is located on the ground floor of Alice Springs Hospital with the Aboriginal Liaison team and Patient Travel. Social workers can be contacted by pager after phoning the hospital on (08) 8951 7777.
