Social Worker - Jerusalem– National position

Position type and closing date

Full time position, National Position.

Location: Based in Jerusalem

Reports to: Head / Acting Head of Psychosocial Support Unit

Supervising: Non.

Closing date for applications: Nov 25, 2025

Applicants are required to uphold the core values of our organization.

The Augusta Victoria Hospital (AVH) is a medical center of excellence that has been providing healthcare services and other health programs for about 70 years to Palestinians, including refugees from throughout the West Bank and Gaza. AVH, a program by the Lutheran World Federation, serves patients regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, or political conviction, without discrimination or favoritism; It is a modern tertiary care facility that serves the most disadvantaged patients from Gaza and the West Bank and has a special historic relationship with the United Nations Relief Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine Refugees

For additional information, please see www.lutheranworld.org/World Service.

Terms of Reference

Position Summary:

The Social Worker at Augusta Victoria Hospital (AVH) plays a vital role in providing comprehensive psychosocial support to patients and their families throughout the continuum of care. The position involves advocacy, counselling, assessment, and coordination to address the emotional, social, and practical challenges associated with illness, treatment, and hospitalization. The Social Worker helps patients and families enhance their coping mechanisms, preserve dignity, and navigate complex healthcare and end-of-life issues with compassion and respect.

Main outcome of the role:

- Advocate on behalf of patients and their families to ensure their rights, dignity, and psychosocial needs are met.

- Provide individual, group and family counselling to support emotional well-being and adjustment to illness.

- Facilitate patients’ adaptation to the hospital environment and help them maintain autonomy and identity.

- Collaborate closely with the multidisciplinary medical team to provide integrated patient care.

- Address complex emotional and ethical issues related to illness, dying, and bereavement.

- Promote an environment of empathy, respect, and confidentiality.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Psychosocial Assessment and Care Planning

- Conduct initial psychosocial assessments, including patient and family history, social and emotional background, and coping strategies.

- Develop individualized care and intervention plans based on patient needs, strengths, and goals.

- Reassess and update psychosocial plans in response to changes in the patient’s condition or circumstances.

2. Counselling and Emotional Support

- Provide counselling and emotional support to patients, companions, and families in individual and group settings.

- Help patients and families manage emotions such as fear, guilt, anxiety, anger, and grief.

- Offer guidance and support for end-of-life care, helping patients and families make informed decisions regarding treatment options and symptom management.

- Support families through crises, trauma, or loss, ensuring emotional stability and safety.

3. Advocacy and Mediation

- Act as a patient advocate, ensuring access to hospital, governmental, and community-based resources and services.

- Mediate conflicts or misunderstandings between patients, families, and healthcare teams.

- Uphold ethical and human rights principles in all patient interactions.

4. Interdisciplinary Collaboration

- Work collaboratively with oncologists, physicians, nurses, psychologists, and other professionals to enhance holistic patient care.

- Facilitate effective communication between patients, families, and healthcare providers.

- Participate in multidisciplinary meetings and contribute psychosocial insights to care planning.

5. Documentation and Reporting

- Complete comprehensive intake forms and counselling documentation in patient medical files.

- Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records of all assessments, interventions, and follow-up actions.

- Prepare reports and recommendations for patient transfers, referrals, or external support services.

6. Risk Assessment 

- Identify and assess potential risks including suicidal ideation, elder abuse, or neglect, using validated tools such as the PHQ-9 and suicide risk assessments.

- Ensure the protection of vulnerable patients, including children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.

7. Education, Advocacy, and Capacity Building

- Educate patients and families on coping strategies, available resources, and healthcare rights.

- Contribute to staff awareness and training on psychosocial issues and patient-centred care.

- Promote human rights, dignity, and social justice within hospital and community settings.

8. General Responsibilities

- Participate in continuous professional development, supervision, and training activities.

- Contribute to departmental meetings, planning, and evaluation.

- Undertake other duties as assigned by the Head of the Psychosocial Support Unit or the Medical Director.

 Required Qualifications and Experience:

- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Social Work from an accredited university.

- Valid professional license in social work.

- Minimum of two (2) years of experience in medical, clinical, or community social work, preferably in a hospital or healthcare setting.

Required Skills and Competencies:

- Demonstrated skills in individual, family, and group counselling.

- Strong crisis intervention, mediation, and conflict resolution skills.

- Emotional intelligence, empathy, and cultural sensitivity.

- Excellent communication skills (oral and written) in Arabic, English and Hebrew.

- Ability to work independently under pressure while maintaining professionalism and confidentiality.

- Strong critical thinking, coordination, and problem-solving abilities.

- Team-oriented mind set with a commitment to collaborative care.

- Ethical judgment, respect for confidentiality, and promotion of human rights.

- Competence in documentation, record keeping, and case reporting.

The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is a global communion of 148 churches in the Lutheran tradition, representing 75.5 million Christians in 99 countries. LWF World Service works in 25 countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean.  LWF Jerusalem program has served the Palestinians in Jerusalem, West Bank and Gaza through humanitarian, health and educational programs since 1948. LWF manages the Augusta Victoria Hospital, two vocational training centers in Ramallah and in East Jerusalem and its central office is on the Mount of Olives.