• Full time, ongoing position
• Classification: PSO2 (from $58,978pa)
• Based in Thomas Embling Hospital
• Great salary packaging conditions and leave entitlements
• Free onsite parking

Forensicare is the statutory agency responsible for the provision of adult forensic mental health services across Victoria. Forensicare is situated across five sites across Victoria with its largest site being Thomas Embling Hospital, located in Fairfield just 15 minutes north of the Melbourne CBD.
Thomas Embling Hospital is a 136 bed secure hospital providing acute care, rehabilitation and continuing

The Clinical Support Team at Thomas Embling Hospital is designed to reduce the impact and frequency of Occupational Violence (OVA). The Clinical Support Team staff are required to work collaboratively with consumers and unit staff in providing a safe environment in managing aggression. The Clinical Support Team will be provided with training and capacity to respond to violence and aggression. Safe practice, effective communication, de-escalation and the ability to remain calm and emotionally self-regulate in difficult situations is fundamental in the role.

About the role:

The role of Clinical Support Assistant (CSA) is to support staff in maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment, with emphasis on reducing Occupational Violence and Aggression (OVA) within Thomas Embling Hospital whilst working under the supervision of a Registered Psychiatric Nurse 3 (RPN3). The CSA is a member of the multi-disciplinary team who will provide a local response within a trauma informed care framework to incidents, maintaining general safety within the service. The CSA will be required to work rotating rostered shifts including weekends and nights shift to meet service needs. The position requires a particular focus on the maintenance and promotion of procedural, physical and relational security.

Duties:

• Work under the supervision of the RPN3 in the prevention, early intervention and management of occupational violence aggression within the service
• Respond to critical incidences within T.E.H and support seclusion reviews
• Assist staff, visitors, consumers who may be confronted by a hostile or aggressive situation under the direction of the RPN3
• Apply approved physical interventions only under the supervision of the RPN3
• Contribute to relational security, risk assessments, and management planning by identifying and reporting issues to RPN3
• Assist with daily unit activities/therapeutic programs with consumers under guidance of clinical staff
• Maintain a safe physical environment, participate in security checks and other delegated activities
• Complete daily environmental checks of the unit and document
• Carry out regular checks/testing of unit duress alarms systems, two way radios and other security maintenance devices
• Maintain a professional relationship with the consumers in compliance with the organisation’s policies and procedures
• Participate in emergency response drills as required

Skills and experience:

• Demonstrated physical and mental capability and capacity to manage and prevent occupational violence and aggression by passing a selection clinic including an annual competency based assessment in de-escalation and physical restraint techniques
• Demonstrated commitment to mental health consumer recovery
• Demonstrated understanding or experience in building positive relationships with consumers
• Demonstrated understanding of mental health issues and ability to work within both an acute and rehabilitation mental health setting
• Commitment to interact with consumers and facilitate unit therapeutic programs and activities.
• Demonstrated ability to perform duties and tasks as delegated
• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively as a team member
• Good written/verbal skills and sound computer and keyboard skills
• Sound knowledge and understanding of the requirement for strict confidentiality
• Qualifications Security or Corrections Level 3 certificate or the equivalent thereof
• Previous experience working in a mental health, corrections or security settings would be desirable

Mandatory qualifications & registrations:

Qualifications in Security or Corrections Level 3 certificate or the equivalent thereof

Benefits:

We value our staff and provide a range of employee benefits including:

• Great salary packaging conditions & leave entitlements
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Comprehensive Health and Wellbeing Programs including: Staff health service, Critical Incident Stress Management and Employee Assistance Programs.

Forensicare values a diverse workforce and strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

This position is subject to a Police Check.

Forensicare promotes the following values: responsiveness, integrity, impartiality, accountability, respect and leadership; and promotes behaviours that are consistent with these values at all times. Forensicare is an equal opportunity employer and offers a smoke free environment.