Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Timeline
Generic

Alexander Skelly

Cairns

Summary

Compassionate and experienced social worker with a strong background in mental health, currently working within a multidisciplinary team at Cairns Hospital. Skilled in crisis intervention, discharge planning, and complex case coordination across hospital and community settings. Adept at navigating systems, while maintaining a strong advocacy lens grounded in patient rights and empowerment. Committed to delivering recovery-oriented care, and looking to further expand expertise across the broader hospital environment to support holistic, integrated care for diverse populations.

Overview

8
8
years of professional experience

Work History

Social Worker - Inpatient Mental Health

Queensland Health
12.2024 - Current
  • Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary mental health team to deliver patient-centered, trauma-informed care.
  • Triage and prioritise daily referrals to ensure timely and appropriate response to patient needs and clinical risk.
  • Coordinate safe and timely hospital discharges, including comprehensive handover to community teams, transport arrangements, and ensuring continuity of care.
  • Engage with family members, carers, and support networks to inform care planning and discharge processes, respecting confidentiality and consent.
  • Liaise with a wide range of external stakeholders including NDIS, Centrelink, Public Trustee, OPG, domestic violence services, housing and homelessness supports, and child safety services to advocate for patients’ access to essential supports.
  • Uphold principles of social justice and human rights by advocating for patient autonomy, empowerment, and participation in care planning and decision-making.
  • Manage a high volume of referrals from multiple sources, collaborating with senior practitioners to allocate caseloads and support team cohesion.
  • Foster and maintain strong professional relationships with internal and external partners to support integrated care and resource navigation for patients.

Community Mental Health Practitioner

Mind Australia at Cairns Community Care Unit
11.2023 - 12.2024
  • Support clients using recovery principles, fostering hope and client focus, enhancing engagement.
  • Help clients achieve self-identified recovery goals through personalised plans, ensuring measurable progress.
  • Facilitate group sessions on psychosocial and life skills, improving independent living skills.
  • Coordinate with stakeholders for seamless care transitions, ensuring continuity of care.
  • Collaborate with clinical partners in an interdisciplinary team to deliver high-quality care.

Team Leader

Mind Australia at Cairns Adult Step Up Step Down
01.2023 - 11.2023
  • Led team to enhance service delivery and productivity, fostering team cohesion.
  • Collaborated with CNC for client assessments, ensuring suitability and risk evaluation.
  • Prepared monthly reports and facilitated team meetings, driving continuous improvement.
  • Liaised with service manager to meet operational needs, ensuring seamless operations.
  • Facilitated strategic planning sessions for long-term organisational goals.
  • Mentored junior staff, enhancing team skills and boosting overall performance.

Community Mental Health Practitioner

Mind Australia at Cairns Adult Step Up Step Down
11.2021 - 01.2023
  • Provided mental health support, developed individualised care plans, and facilitated group therapy sessions.
  • Collaborated with healthcare professionals to improve patient outcomes and reduce hospital readmissions.
  • Conducted assessments to identify patient needs and implemented effective intervention strategies.
  • Advocated for patient rights and coordinated with community resources to ensure comprehensive care.
  • Documented patient progress and maintained accurate records to support treatment plans.

Team Member – Sales

Officeworks at Cairns
03.2018 - 01.2022
  • Resolved customer issues in-store and over the phone, enhancing overall satisfaction.
  • Trained new sales staff on products and procedures, boosting team efficiency.
  • Led safety initiatives, identifying hazards and educating team on safe practices.
  • Assisted across departments, providing expert advice and facilitating purchases.

Furniture delivery/ removals

Sorrento Transport
12.2017 - 03.2019
  • Utilised strong organisational skills to plan daily trips from Sorrento to Melbourne CBD
  • Managed and maintained a small business, including staff organisation and ensuring profitability
  • Streamlined delivery routes, boosting efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Education

Master of Social Work - Professional Qualifying

James Cook University
10.2022

Bachelor of Science - APAC accredited Psychology Major

Monash University
11.2017

Skills

  • Mental Health
  • Social Work
  • Recovery Oriented Practice
  • Psychosocial Support
  • Leadership
  • Risk Assessment
  • Crisis Support
  • Advocacy
  • Compassionate
  • Client advocacy
  • Attention to detail
  • Multidisciplinary team collaboration
  • Self-awareness

Affiliations

  • Professional Training and Memberships
  • Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) Membership

Timeline

Social Worker - Inpatient Mental Health

Queensland Health
12.2024 - Current

Community Mental Health Practitioner

Mind Australia at Cairns Community Care Unit
11.2023 - 12.2024

Team Leader

Mind Australia at Cairns Adult Step Up Step Down
01.2023 - 11.2023

Community Mental Health Practitioner

Mind Australia at Cairns Adult Step Up Step Down
11.2021 - 01.2023

Team Member – Sales

Officeworks at Cairns
03.2018 - 01.2022

Furniture delivery/ removals

Sorrento Transport
12.2017 - 03.2019

Bachelor of Science - APAC accredited Psychology Major

Monash University

Master of Social Work - Professional Qualifying

James Cook University

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Alexander Skelly