About the position

The Primary Health Consultant - Mental Health supports Larter’s established work in the mental health, suicide prevention and AOD fields in the context of increasing recognition of the need to both redesign and expand mental health services and community supports. We have experience and networks in Victoria, having undertaken work such as assisting the establishment of HeadtoHelp mental health services; headspace centre establishment support; individual mental health service redesign; mental health regional needs assessments; suicide prevention regional planning support; and mental health training for clinicians.

The context is right for Larter to look to further support our partners and clients in this field. The Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System (2021) has just delivered a number of recommendations to completely transform the way mental health and wellbeing treatment, care and support will be delivered in Victoria. The Victorian Government has committed publicly to implementing all recommendations. In addition, the Australian Government has announced an additional $2.1b investment into mental health including a network of mental health and wellbeing hubs and centres, and additional investment in suicide prevention and eating disorders treatment.

We are looking for an individual who has experience in both Commonwealth and State-funded mental health services, with skills and experience in mental health policy and reform (for example, mental health stepped care, service planning and service review). We are also interested in candidates with experience in co-design with people with lived experience, and service commissioning. Components of the role will include undertaking needs assessments, data analysis, consultation and stakeholder engagement, and report writing.

Following the induction period, consultants at Larter often work relatively independently, delivering projects from lead through to completion, or as part of small teams. Experienced consultants are primarily responsible for successfully managing a number of client projects and sometimes managing external contractors who collaborate in pieces of work.

The Primary Health Consultant (Mental Health) will also work closely with other staff on important work internal to the organisation, particularly client relationship management and supporting the organisation to grow in successful pursuit of its vision for the primary health sector.

More specifically, the role’s project work functions are:

• Undertaking consulting tasks in order to successfully achieve project objectives within timelines - including but not limited to:
  • Developing appropriate and effective project methodologies - innovating where appropriate
  • Consulting stakeholders in a variety of ways including interviews, workshops, meeting facilitation, online surveys, other innovative methods
  • Community consultation and co-design with consumers and stakeholders (including people with lived experience of mental illness or psychological distress, the mental health service system, and family / carers / natural supports)
  • Researching and undertaking literature reviews
  • Data analysis and report writing
  • Presenting project outcomes; presenting to influence (e.g. governance committees, boards)
• Collaborating with other consultants and client representatives

The position can be based in Greater Melbourne and part-time employment will be considered (0.6-1.0 EFT).

All Larter staff work from home offices and/or co-working spaces, and collaborate together through videoconferencing, messaging and occasionally face-to-face.

About Larter

Established in 2008, Larter provides expert advice, support services and education to individuals and organisations working in the health sector. Larter is known for its reliability, commitment to quality, friendliness, and in-depth knowledge of primary health and mental health care industry trends, and health care financing. Our competencies include:

• Assessing community health needs and developing health system plans and strategies
• Designing and evaluating health programs and services
• Developing sustainable financial models for health services using various funding sources (such as the Medicare Benefits Schedule) and government programs (such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme)
• Educating and training health professionals
• Writing funding submissions, activity plans and corporate reports.

Our clients are primarily not-for-profit peak bodies, community health and regional health services, general practices, governments and Primary Health Networks. Work is based within and throughout the Australian states of Victoria and Queensland, and occasionally in other states and territories.

Larter's consultants have come from a range of professional backgrounds. We currently have consultants specialising in health economics, social science, practice management, nursing, evaluation and business development. We strive to create a stronger primary health care system with every job we do.

If you would like to discuss the position, please call 1800 527 837.