Social worker sought for a new acute forensic-psychiatric inpatient ward (R2), Aarhus University Hospital in Skejby

Would you like to help establish a completely new acute forensic psychiatric Ward, where high professional standards, a holistic approach, and safety go hand in hand?

Then the Forensic Psychiatric Acute Ward R2 might be your upcoming workplace.

We are seeking an engaged social worker who wants to be part of establishing a new acute Ward and help create a strong professional culture where development, collaboration, and holistic patient pathways are central.

The position is, in principle, 37 hours per week – or by agreement – Monday to Friday in day shifts.

Why choose R2?

As part of the establishment of the Forensic Psychiatric Acute Ward R2 you will have an outstanding opportunity to contribute to building a new acute forensic psychiatric Ward. Together we create a workplace with high professionalism, strong interdisciplinary collaboration, and a focus on both staff and patient well-being.

With us you get, among other things

Opportunity to shape development

As one of the first employees at R2 you will be an active participant in developing the ward's culture, workflows, and professional practice.

A central role in patients' pathways

As a social worker you will be the patients' link to society and an important partner in work to create coherence between the patient's treatment and their situation outside the hospital.

A highly specialized professional area

You will work with some of forensic psychiatry's most complex patient pathways, where social, legal, as well as employment and subsistence issues are often closely linked to the patient's overall situation.

A strong interdisciplinary profile

You will become part of a close interdisciplinary collaboration, where your social work knowledge is an important part of the overall assessment and treatment of the patient.

An work environment focused on development and community

We prioritize a good work environment and strong interdisciplinary collaboration. At R2 you will work closely with among others nurses, social- and health care assistants, pedagogues, doctors, psychologists, medical secretaries, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists.

We place emphasis on a culture with room to grow, professional sparring, room for reflection, and a desire to develop both individual professional skills and our shared practice.

Safety and professionalism go hand in hand

We see a high level of safety as a prerequisite for professionalism to unfold, and we work purposefully to create a safe environment for both patients and staff.

About the Forensic Psychiatric Ward R2

R2 will be one of the two acute assessment and treatment wards of the Forensic Psychiatry Department and will be physically located in Building L in Skejby on the same floor as the existing acute Ward R1.

The ward will be responsible for

• assessment and treatment of detained surrogates and patients
• conducting mental observations and preparing mental reports for admitted observees
• treatment and stabilization of particularly challenging and complex patients in agreement with general psychiatry.

At R2 you will be part of a highly specialized environment where social work, clinical observations, and close interdisciplinary collaboration are essential to the overall treatment.

About the Department of Forensic Psychiatry

Based on the Region Midtjylland values, our ambition is to create an open and respectful dialogue with patients, relatives, partners, and staff. We strive for high clinical quality and a culture that promotes development, learning, and interdisciplinary cooperation.

At the Forensic Psychiatry Department we work from Fundamentals of Care as a common professional framework for care and treatment. We believe that strong relationships, patient-centered care, and high clinical quality create the best conditions for good patient pathways – also in a forensic psychiatric context where safety is an integrated part of the treatment.

About the position

As a social worker with us you will, among other things

• be a central social work partner for the patients and the interdisciplinary team
• be the patients' link to the municipality and other relevant external partners outside the hospital
• identify the patient's social situation and contribute to a holistic assessment of the patient's needs
• work with clarifying the livelihood basis and social rights, including applications for disability pension
• advise and support patients regarding housing, including referrals to suitable living arrangements
• handle both acute social problems and longer-term interventions
• coordinate cooperation with municipalities and other external partners
• contribute to coherent patient pathways across sectors
• prepare social work descriptions and life course descriptions in connection with mental observations
• contribute to the work with extracts and relevant social work information in connection with mental observations
• document and communicate relevant social work information to the interprofessional team
• actively participate in the development of a new Ward and contribute to ongoing professional development
• join a mono-professional network with the department's other social workers.

Expectations

We are looking for a social worker who

• is a trained social worker
• has experience with municipal matters and solid knowledge of social legislation and social support options
• preferably has knowledge of psychiatry, social psychiatry, or forensic psychiatry – or is willing to specialize in the area
• preferably has knowledge of the Penal Code and the provisions of the Administration of Justice Act on criminal procedure
• is a strong collaborator who dares to bring their own professional expertise into play
• is proactive regarding both patients, colleagues, and partners
• can work independently, systematically, and methodically
• can maintain an overview and prioritize among different tasks and issues
• is good at articulating themselves clearly and precisely both in writing and orally
• can build a professional relationship with the patients while being clear in communication and boundaries
• is mentally robust and can navigate complex and sometimes conflictful situations
• is flexible and open to ongoing development and new tasks
• is eager to actively contribute to the development of a completely new acute Ward
• wants to be a good colleague and contribute to a strong professional community.

We offer

• a unique opportunity to help establish a new acute forensic psychiatric Ward
• an exciting and varied job where no two days are the same
• thorough introduction to forensic psychiatry and the department's areas of work
• opportunity for professional sparring with the department's other social workers
• a mono-professional network for social workers in the Forensic Psychiatry Department
• competence development in forensic psychiatry and relevant social work areas
• opportunity to participate in the work with mental observations, including life course descriptions and extracts
• a strong multidisciplinary collaboration where your social work knowledge is in demand and valued
• a safe and secure working environment
• supervision and reflection forums
• great potential to influence the development of the ward
• good opportunities for personal and professional development
• an open and appreciative workplace
• 3-4 annual competence days.

Salary and employment terms

The position is, in principle, 37 hours per week – or by agreement – and intended to be filled by agreement.

Appointment no later than March 1, but there is the possibility to start as soon as possible.

If starting before March 1, 2027 you will join an existing ward of the Forensic Psychiatry Department until March 1, 2027, when targeted introduction to work in the acute forensic psychiatric Ward will begin. Ward R2 opens April 1, 2027.

Application deadline: November 15, 2026.

Start date: As soon as possible or no later than March 1, 2027.

If you have questions about the position, you are welcome to contact the Chief Nurse at the current R2:

Yasmine Hassan on tel. 91168848

We look forward to receiving your application.

In the Psychiatry in Region Midtjylland we prioritize both that our employees feel safe at their start and continuously develop their competencies. Therefore we have tailored our own education universe – the Psychiatry Academy.

Here you can find introduction and onboarding programs for your professional group and be inspired for the next step in your career.

Read more about our many opportunities on the Psychiatry Academy's website: Click here to see the website

The position is essentially a full-time role.

As Region Midtjylland continually implements savings and reorganizations, employees in redeployment who apply for the position will have priority.

Department: RET Forensic Psychiatric Ward 2

Application deadline: November 15, 2026

Location: Tyge Søndergaards Vej 26, 8200 Aarhus N