Paediatric Practitioner - Social Worker or Psychologist

Employment Type -  Temporary Part Time

Hours per fortnight - 20 

Classification - Allied Health Professionals (Victorian Public Sector)(Single Interest Employers) Enterprise Agreement 2021-2026 : Social Worker Grade 2 Year 1 / Child Psychotherapist Grade 2 Year 1 

Job Category - Paediatric Social Worker

Req Id - 9341 

About Us

Situated just 150 kilometres south-west of Melbourne, at the foot of the stunning Otway Ranges, close to Lorne and the Surf Coast, Colac Area Health services 21,000 people who call the Shire home. Colac Area Health meets the needs of more than 30,000 people in the Corangamite, Colac Otway, and Surf Coast Shires.

A unique integrated health service providing a wide range of clinical and non-clinical services to the Colac and district community. This includes the following:

• Nursing/Midwifery
• Aged Care
• Medical
• Community Services
• Corporate Services
• Support Services
   

About the role

Paediatric Practitioner - Social Worker or Psychologist
Maternity Leave Backfill - 20 hours per fortnight until 31/01/2027

The successful applicant must be available to work Wednesday weekly (day of multidisciplinary paediatric clinic). The 20 hours of work per fortnight to be split across 3-4 days; other day/s of work, excluding Wednesday weekly are negotiable.  

The Paediatric Practitioner position, is a role fulfilled by a Social Worker or Psychologist and will form a part of a multidisciplinary Paediatric specialty service at Colac Area Health, working closely with Paediatricians, General Practitioners, Nursing, other Allied Health disciplines and other community support services (for example, early intervention program providers). The role provides opportunity to work in a supported and collaborative team working closely with the paediatric populations, their families and/or their support systems to achieve consumer centred outcomes.

• The Paediatric Practitioner Social Worker / Psychologist role is held by an experienced paediatric Allied Health Therapist, operating at an advanced scope of practice to perform additional tasks identified as being transferrable between allied health professions.
• The position will screen and triage complex community-based paediatric clients referred to CAH paediatric services.
• The role will ensure timely access to early assessment and diagnosis through appropriate assessment and referrals.  
• Competency training will enable the Social Worker to provide basic assessment, feedback, interventions and advice to parents across developmental domains, and also to determine triggers when referral for more highly specialised discipline-specific assessment is required.
• The Social Worker / Psychologist will provide clinical leadership for paediatric allied health clinicians.
• The Social Worker / Psychologist will support the Colac Area Health Paediatric clinic and waitlist.

What's Required?

• Membership and/or eligibility for AASW/SPA membership OR Registration with AHPRA as per National Registration requirements and eligibility or membership with the Australian Psychological Society
• Demonstrated clinical expertise in paediatric developmental assessment, care coordination or case management.
• Excellent communication skills and a proven ability to navigate solutions towards desired outcomes.
• Previous experience working in a multidisciplinary allied health team.
• Skill in the evaluation and implementation of evidence-based practice and modification of service delivery.
• Ability to work collaboratively with consumers and service providers.
• Ability to always maintain high level professional practice standards.
• Ability to proactively contribute to and adapt to internal and external change.
• Ability to differentiate, accept and exercise appropriate mechanisms of internal and external communication and accountability.
• Current Working with Children Check and National Police Check.   

Desirable:

• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in the provision of paediatric services.
• Experience in developing, applying and promoting innovative models of care.
• Demonstrated clinical expertise or willing to complete competency training to deliver transferable care across psychology/social work, occupational therapy and speech pathology scopes of practice.
• Ability to think conceptually and a commitment to innovation.

Benefits working with us

Colac Area Health offers the following benefits;

• Extensive organisational orientation/department induction
• Salary Sacrificing/Packaging
• Active Social Club
• Extensive professional development and continuing education
• Employee Assistance Program
• Access to on-site research support from the CAH Research Unit and the Western Alliance Academic Health Science Centre
  
  

To learn about our town and region please visit: Discovering natures wonders in Colac.

Diversity and Inclusion

We believe in the power of diversity and inclusion. We celebrate the unique backgrounds, perspectives, and talents of our team members, fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and respected.

Our commitment to diversity strengthens our ability to provide compassionate and equitable care to all individuals, regardless of their backgrounds, abilities and identities.

We are committed to providing positive employment opportunities and a workplace that promotes wellbeing.  We welcome and encourage applications from those who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

We actively encourage individuals with disabilities and diverse backgrounds to apply for our positions. Should you require any reasonable adjustments or support during the recruitment process, we are here to assist you every step of the way.

We are committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. Click here for further information on the Victorian Government’s Child Safe Standards. 

To apply visit: https://peopleplus.swarh.vic.gov.au/CAH

This role requires you to provide evidence of the current influenza vaccination.

Contact person:  Hayley Weel

Email:  hweel@cah.vic.gov.au 

Phone:  5232 5179 

Application closing date:  Wednesday 9 September 2026  

Position Description 

Are you currently a Colac Area Health employee? If so, please log into the People Plus internal careers site here or via your applications using your network login. Here you will find the full list of jobs available to you. You can then apply though the internal portal.