• Join a dynamic team facilitating assessments and referrals for people seeking support for mental health in a busy primary health network
• Use your genuine engagement skills and no-wrong-door approach to ensure the best outcome for callers.
• Part-time role (0.8 FTE, 30.4 hours per week) until October 2024 (Maternity leave cover).
• Covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020
• Generous NFP salary packaging options up to $18,550

As part of the Referral and Access team at NWMPHN, the intake and Assessment Officer will respond to calls from people seeking mental health support and will process referrals from GPs and other health professionals. You will have in-depth knowledge of mental health services available for people at different levels of acuity. You will have a positive, recovery led and consumer focused approach and will use your strong clinical assessment skills, and the Initial Assessment Referral Decision Support Tool (IAR-DST), to get people to the most appropriate mental health care available.

You will be a great communicator who pays attention to detail, and who can confidently navigate client management systems. You will be required to clearly document all relevant demographic, contextual and risk assessment information, and work collaboratively with both referrers and services that you refer to, to ensure the best outcome for the client.

About Us

We are North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN), Victoria's largest independent, locally governed and run, not-for-profit PHN, dedicated to improving primary health care in our community.

What are PHNs?

PHNs have been established with two key objectives:

1. Increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of services for community members, particularly those at risk of poor health outcomes
2. Improving coordination of care to ensure people receive the right care in the right place, at the right time

A typical week may include:

• Promptly answering phone calls to provide initial assessment of people seeking support for their mental health using the Initial Assessment and Referral Decision Support Tool.
• Working with a multidisciplinary team of clinicians to mutually support each other in your clinical practice
• Participating in case-reviews of people seeking exceptional circumstances for treatment
• Responding to emailed referrals and e-alerts from people seeking assistance, or their referrers, ensuring practice approaches are safe and inclusive
• Proactively identifying and escalating risks and issues to the Lead, Mental Health Access and Manager, Mental Health Services.
• Participating in relevant meetings, group supervision, seminars, and information sessions, and reporting back as appropriate
• Actively and respectfully communicating with your whole team, including clinicians, administrators, and commissioning leads and managers to share learnings about trends, issues, and successes

We are looking for someone who has:

• Minimum 3 years' clinical mental health experience.
• Tertiary qualification in a clinical health related field and registration with the relevant board or eligibility for membership of the relevant professional association e.g., Psychologist, Mental Health Social Worker, Mental Health Nurse or Occupational Therapy.
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of mental health disorders. Knowledge of Mental Health Services and supports available in the north western Melbourne and western Victorian catchment and surrounding suburbs.
• Experience in undertaking mental health assessments and screening of people seeking mental health supports.
• Demonstrated ability to document information accurately and record assessments clearly.

What's in it for you?

• A friendly and supportive professional environment
• Career progression opportunities
• Great work-life balance (Hybrid options to work from home and in office)

Other Benefits:

• Fun social club and health and wellbeing activities
• Covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020

The successful candidate will be required to undertake a National Police Check, Working with Children Check and provide AASW and/or AHPRA Certification

NWMPHN is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We recognise the importance of attracting and retaining talent that mirrors our diverse community. Applicants from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background are strongly encouraged to apply.

To apply for this job, click 'Apply Now' and enter reference 6550256 when submitting your application.

A position description is attached.