Family Liaison Officer

About the role

Dementia Support Australia (DSA), a national dementia support service funded by the Australian Government and led by HammondCare, is hiring a Family Liaison Officer for its Hospital to Aged Care Dementia Support Program (HACDSP). The role offers compassionate pre- and post-placement support and counselling for families and care teams, and assesses clients' needs, abilities and behaviours to inform personalised care plans. It is a fixed-term contract until June 2028, based in the Parramatta office.

Key responsibilities

• Assess clients' needs, abilities or behaviour using validated assessments, semi-structured interviews with support networks and direct observation of behaviour.
• Build rapport with families and representatives, and facilitate conversations between families, hospital staff and aged care staff during the pre- and post-placement phases.
• Explore the opportunities and challenges of transitioning someone living with dementia from hospital to residential or home settings.
• Support families and manage expectations around placement, and provide emotional support and practical advice on obtaining a placement and supporting the person's transition out of hospital.
• Take part in family and case conferences.
• Collect data to help understand what is needed for successful placement.

Required profile

• Social worker or registered psychologist experience is essential.
• Strong experience and knowledge of dementia care and mental health for older persons.
• Commitment to align with HammondCare's Christian mission and motivation.
• A current Australian driver's licence and willingness to travel intrastate and interstate.

Required skills

• High level of communication and interpersonal skills to lead and influence.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Proficient written and verbal communication.

What we offer

• Remuneration with salary packaging: $15,900 annually for living expenses, plus up to $2,650 per year for entertainment benefits.
• Flexible hybrid work arrangements in a friendly workplace.
• Additional training and career development, and the option to purchase extra annual leave.
• Reward and recognition program, fitness passports with gym, group classes and pool access, and free confidential counselling and wellbeing resources through the Employee Assistance Program.
• Discounts at MyCar and commercial discounts at JB HI-FI and The Good Guys.