SOCIAL WORKER GRADE 1 TO 4

This position offers a career-graded opportunity for a qualified social worker to join the Rural Health Services directorate at George Regional Hospital, serving the broader Rural East Ecosystem. The role is open at several professional grades, allowing applicants with differing levels of post-registration experience to be considered. As a social worker within this hospital-based ecosystem, you will provide clinical services not only to inpatients and outpatients at the regional hospital but also to their families and caregivers, with an expectation that services may be rendered across multiple institutions within the ecosystem to sustain health service delivery. The work is demanding and varied, requiring both independent practice and close collaboration within multidisciplinary health teams.

To be considered, candidates must hold an appropriate qualification that permits registration with the South African Council for Social Services Professions (SACSSP) as a social worker, and they must be registered with the council in that capacity. The experience requirements are structured by grade: entry-level Grade 1 requires no experience after registration, while Grade 2 requires at least ten years of appropriate social work experience post-registration, Grade 3 requires twenty years, and Grade 4 requires thirty years. A valid Code B/EB driver’s licence is an inherent requirement, reflecting the need to travel between facilities and community resources. The ideal candidate will be computer literate in MS Windows, Word, Excel, Outlook, and electronic health information systems, and will possess strong skills in conducting comprehensive psychosocial assessments, developing and monitoring intervention plans, managing vulnerable patient groups, handling crisis situations, prioritising tasks, and communicating effectively with multidisciplinary team members. Knowledge of statutory processes is also essential, as the role involves legal and procedural responsibilities.

The core duties involve rendering a clinical social work service independently and within a team, facilitating access to community resources and support services, and making referrals to the Department of Social Development, non-governmental organisations, community-based organisations, and other relevant government services. The social worker will ensure compliance with legislation, policies, and ethical standards governing practice, and will maintain an appropriate administrative system and manage physical resources. Specific administrative responsibilities include handling renal dialysis service-related social work, pauper burial applications, old age home applications, and completing Form 22 for cases of child abscondment or neglect. There is also an expectation to identify areas for quality improvement and implement initiatives that enhance patient care and outcomes.

Applicants should note that no payment of any kind is required when applying. Candidates who do not yet hold the stipulated registration may still apply, provided they submit proof of application for registration with the relevant council and proof of payment of the prescribed fees, with this concession limited to health professionals applying for first-time registration in a specific category. Shortlisted candidates may be required to undergo a practical assessment. This post is linked to the facility within the ecosystem service platform, meaning the successful appointee must be prepared to render clinical services across institutions in the ecosystem as needed to sustain service delivery.