ROLE:

The Mental Health Practitioners (MHP) initiative provides for a suitably qualified mental health professional in all government secondary school campuses.

Operating in collaboration with the Department of Education and Training's Area-based multi-disciplinary teams, this role will have the following functions:

• Provide direct counselling support and other early intervention services for individual students and groups identified as at-risk and/or experiencing or demonstrating mild to moderate mental health needs;
• Coordinate supports for students with critical needs both within and external to the school, including proactively working with regions and other health professionals to engage further support as required; and
• Enhance promotion and prevention activities in the school by contributing to whole school health and wellbeing plans, building the capability of teaching staff and school leadership to manage student health and wellbeing, and helping to embed mental health promotion and prevention programs and strategies in the school.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Deliver professional support service/s in a school/s, including the direct counselling for students with a range of mental health issues, applying sound theoretical knowledge and practical expertise.
2. Plan and implement evidence-based intervention strategies for students with complex needs including collaborating with families, other professionals and agencies when appropriate, and manage the associated risks.
3. Work collaboratively with the school to contribute to policies and operational practices that will guide the work of others, including other school wellbeing staff and teachers.
4. Demonstrate leadership and provide professional learning to others, such as teachers and other school wellbeing staff, to build the capacity of schools to improve students’ learning and developmental outcomes.
5. Liaise with other Department areas (including secondary school nurses and Student Support Services staff) and external service providers where necessary to provide support to students.
6. Maintain professional competence and continued professional learning, including attending professional development activities throughout the year.
7. Meet relevant policies and legislative requirements in relation to student health information privacy.

Please note:

• The relevant enterprise agreement underpinning this position is the Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2017.
• Continued professional learning is a registration requirement under the National Law, which governs the operations of the

National Boards and Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

SELECTION CRITERIA

1. Direct counselling experience
   Demonstrate your previous direct counselling experience, highlighting any previous experience with children and young people. What is/would be your approach to counselling secondary students with mental health concerns? How would you assess mental health and wellbeing issues for this cohort?
2. Implementing evidence based intervention strategies
   Demonstrate a complex case you have managed. How did you manage this case? What evidence based intervention strategy/ies did you use? How do you know if you made an impact?
3. Health and wellbeing strategy and process development
   The Mental Health Practitioner role will require input into school health and wellbeing strategies and processes. This may involve identifying whether a student referral for counselling is appropriate. Demonstrate how you have worked within or contributed to an organisation’s strategies and processes. How do you see yourself contributing to a school’s health and wellbeing processes?
4. Communication skills
   The Mental Health Practitioner role requires the ability to communicate with a range of stakeholders, including students, school staff, and Student Support Services staff, to help provide support to students. Demonstrate how communication is important when working as a mental health practitioner in a school?
5. Leadership and professional learning
   One of the responsibilities of the Mental Health Practitioner role will be to provide leadership and professional learning to others, such as teachers and other school wellbeing staff, to build the capacity of schools to improve students’ learning and developmental outcomes. This learning may include delivering presentations, providing one-to-one advice on certain issues, or other activities. Demonstrate where you have used your professional expertise to build the capability of others in a work environment?
6. Understanding legislative requirements
   Demonstrate how you have met relevant policies and legislative requirements in relation to student health information and privacy.

Important Notes:

Please respond to Selection Criteria and attach resume with your application.

This is a multicampus college and travel between campuses may be required.

For further information please visit the Recruitment Online Website and search for Job No: 1251990