• Be involved in the establishment of the new Local – a key system transformation
• Deliver positive, therapeutic approaches to people with mental health and AOD challenges
• Permanent role| Full time
• Bendigo location
• Up to $10,000 relocation grant available for eligible candidates administered by the Rural Workforce Agency Victoria (RWAV) 

Mind strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, people with a lived and living experience of mental distress and recovery, and applicants from all cultures, genders, sexualities, bodies, abilities, spiritualities, ages and backgrounds.

Mind Australia is one of the country’s leading community-managed specialist mental health service providers with a range of residential, mobile outreach, centre based and online services. We have been supporting people living with the day-to-day impacts of mental illness, as well as their families, friends and carers for over 45 years.

We provide practical and motivational support that helps people to develop the skills they need to move on, thrive and improve the quality of their lives. It’s an approach to mental health and wellbeing that looks at the whole person in the context of their daily life. Mind is committed to diversity and social inclusion. 

About the service

The Adult and Older Adult Mental Health and Wellbeing services, also refer to as “Local”, are a key recommendation from Victoria’s Royal Commission into the mental health service system’s transformation. The Local will act as the ‘front door’ service to the mental health system and will provide a continuum of care and support, including clinical interventions, wellbeing supports, and therapeutic support through an integrated mental health and alcohol and other drug framework approach. These services will have a ‘no wrong door’ policy, ensuring accessibility to all individuals seeking support. 

About the role

We are seeking a compassionate, empathic Art Therapist. This is a full time opportunity to work within the Bendigo area. The successful applicant will combine the creative potential of art making within a relational therapeutic context to work with individuals, groups and through program development, evaluation and service design. You will utilise “art” as a medium to support people who are experiencing mental health challenges and/or alcohol and other drugs (AOD) challenges.

In this role you will use a variety of art-based techniques in their assessment and support of individuals and groups including drawing, painting, sculpture, all forms of cultural expression, and mixed media. 

Key responsibilities

• Provide high quality art therapy approaches and techniques in accordance with professional, ethical and National Standards.
• Utilise expertise in delivering meaningful evidence based, individualised therapies adjusted to be responsive to the needs of people accessing the service either face-to-face, telehealth or online utilising approved modalities/techniques.
• Work collaboratively and support the Local team to ensure art therapy approaches are aligned with the individual’s holistic care plan.
• Develop and deliver art therapy group work sessions as required that will assist people accessing the service to build their skills, develop wellbeing supports and better support themselves.
• Encourage individual creative expression, including the development of reflection skills upon their creative outputs.
• Actively lead and participate in program design, development, review and evaluation ensuring an art therapy perspective. 

What you’ll bring

• Tertiary qualifications and significant experience Art Therapy
• Able to obtain registration with Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA) through post graduate studies.
• Proven experience in Community Services, Mental Health, Disability, Social Welfare, Housing, Healthcare or Government sectors is required.
• Experience and expertise in working directly with people with mental health challenges, AOD challenges, complex needs and with their families, carers and supporters.
• A strong knowledge and understanding of the theory and practice of psychotherapy and the role that art or expressive and somatic therapy can play in treatment.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the application of theoretical approaches, practices and appropriate service responses.
• Demonstrated understanding of lived experience approaches including peer work, co-design and workforce development. 

Benefits 

• Salary packaging up to $15,899 p.a. allows you to allocate a portion of your pre-tax income to cover living expenses (e.g. rent, mortgage, child care, car leasing expenses etc.)
• Generous leave entitlements including 8 weeks paid parental leave, 17.5% annual leave loading.
• This position is eligible for an incentive payment up to $10,000 for rent, childcare, relocation costs and more, as part of the new workforce and incentive grants program administered by Rural Workforce Agency Victoria (RWAV). 

Interested?

To obtain a position description and apply online click Apply Now visit Mind Careers - reference number 494956.

Please contact the person below for more information. 

Lisa Henderson Local Service Operations Manager

[email protected]                    

The successful applicant is required to complete comprehensive reference and background checking prior to employment, including a Working with Children Check, NDIS Workers Screening Check and the ability to obtain vaccinations against COVID-19.